Posted on September 25, 2023
For Immediate Release…
TOWN OF BERLIN SMART WATER METER INSTALLATION
TO BEGIN IN COMING WEEKS
Berlin, MD – As part of an ongoing water meter replacement project funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the Town of Berlin Water Resources Department will be replacing all water meters in town limits with new radio-read smart meters. The new meters will send a radio signal to the Town’s computer system and provide the Town with the status of each meter and the amount of water used. This information will help to improve the response times of Town Personnel and the accuracy of water meter billing. Water/Sewer customers will also be able to obtain more timely information regarding their water use through the online system.
The installation, which is expected to begin in the coming weeks, will occur during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. A meter replacement typically takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes, and the customer may notice a temporary disruption to water service during this time. Customers do not need to be present during the replacement of their meter. After the water meter replacement is complete, customers are asked to flush their water system for 5 to 10 minutes to clear any sediment and/or discoloration in the water line; a meter technician may also flush the service using an outside spigot.
Depending on the condition of the existing water meter, replacement of the water meter box (barrel), lid, and meter connection fittings may be necessary. If the meter box needs to be replaced, crews will be required to dig up and remove the old meter box. Basic restoration of the area will be done by the installation crew when completed.
It may also be necessary to remove mulch, bushes or other vegetation, and other items that may be in the immediate area of the meter. Items that must be fully removed, such as bushes, will not be replaced or restored as the property owner is required to keep the meter clear of obstructions.
The Town of Berlin is devoted to keeping our citizens informed and minimizing the impact this project will have on Customers and is taking steps to minimize service interruptions. Additionally, social media updates, notifications through the Code Red system, door hangers, and yard signs will be dispersed to provide advance notice of which streets are being replaced next during the project.
For additional questions or information regarding the Water Meter Replacement project, please contact the Water Resources Department at 410-641-3845.
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Categories: Uncategorized, News
