Star Valley Ranch administrator recommends replacing aging water meters, cites $500,000 estimate

Administrator Brent Aitken told the Town Council the municipality is confronting widespread water-meter failures and inaccuracies and recommended replacing the failing devices rather than pursuing piecemeal recalibration. "The current budget includes an estimate of approximately $500,000 for meter replacement," Aitken said, noting many meters were manufactured between 2006 and 2010 and that problems include complete failures, underreporting transmitters, units requiring manual reads, and meters that over-read when air is in the lines.

Aitken presented ultrasonic meters as the preferred replacement, saying they offer greater accuracy and an expected lifespan of about 20 years versus 10 years for current models. He also reviewed options for the Town’s seven large flow meters: recalibration quotes ranged from $30,000 to $66,000 with an additional $5,000 annual upgrade fee, while replacement was estimated at $30,000 per meter. Mayor Rok cautioned that recalibration could lead to repeat costs if meters still need replacement, and Aitken recommended outright replacement to ensure long-term reliability.