(A) In order to modernize meter reading and billing services available to customers, Lake County is installing automated water meters (AMR) with technology that transmits data back to the county offices. This technology uses a meter transmitter that sends usage data from the customer’s meter. The meter transmitter is connected by a wire and sends readings wirelessly utilizing radio frequency. (However, under both options the existing meter must be replaced.)
(B) Despite the many advantages of the system, the county recognizes that some customers may want to opt-out of the AMR technology. Public Works has explored two options that could be made available to customers.
(1) Option 1: meter transmitter installed on the outside of the house. The standard location for the transmitter is in the basement ceiling or crawlspace joist above the meter inside the house. As an alternative, the transmitter can be wired to and installed on the outside of the house. The one-time outside installation fee that will be billed to those customers who choose the outside meter transmitter installation option is established in the Public Work’s applicable ordinance, which shall be amended from time to time.
(2) Option 2: no meter transmitter - manual meter read. Under this option, there would be no meter transmitter installed to send the meter data. The customer would be responsible to send their water meter reading into the Public Works office via phone or e-mail every two months, six times a year. The county would travel to and enter the customer’s house and take a manual read of meter usage twice a year. In order to cover the costs of manually reading the meter, manually entering the meter data and travel costs, an annual charge established in the Public Work’s applicable rate ordinance, which shall be amended from time to time, would be assessed on water bills as a monthly charge. As a consequence of this option, the customer would not benefit from leak detection notification and usage data from the customer online portal.
(Ord. 13-1341, passed 12-10-2013; Ord. 18-0871, passed 8-14-2018; Ord. 18-1102, passed 10-9-2018; Ord. 21-0038, passed 1-12-2021; Ord. 22-0967, passed 7-12-2022)