As a meter ages, it tends to record less than the full amount of water used by the customer.
CWLP's ongoing meter replacement program pays for itself through accurate meter readings.
CWLP is in the midst of a long-term project to replace customer water meters with new Automated Meter Reading (AMR)
technology that allows the meters to be read remotely. This enables meter readers to get accurate and timely
readings without having to physically access every meter, which makes their jobs more efficient and safe.
AMR also makes meter reading more convenient for customers who will no longer be required to let our meter
readers onto their properties or into their homes or businesses each month.
Initially, the project addressed the replacement of large (3-inch through 12-inch) commercial meters
and certain problem installations. Funding for much of this portion of the AMR project was provided
by a zero-interest loan, which included $167,000 in principal forgiveness (meaning the utility does not have
to repay this amount), from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) stimulus program.
As of mid-2013, the utility had completed 97% of the replacement and upgrade of all meters sized 1-1/2 inches through 12
inches and had begun replacement of approximately 52,000 primarily residential 5/8-inch through 1-inch meters.
This phase of the project, which is being funded by CWLP revenues, will take several more years to complete.