Water district to install automated meters




Water meter readers in Calabasas should find it easier to carry out their jobs over the next several years.

Of the approximate 20,000 meters in the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District, almost 3,000 have been converted to an automated reading system.

The district recently announced it would automate meters along Mulholland Highway in Calabasas.

Switching to an automated system reduces the amount of time it takes to read customer meters and increases safety for field workers, said water district spokesperson Jeff Reinhardt.

“During this budget period, our goal is to complete the installation of about 3,000 meters, starting with the Mulholland corridor, including the Calabasas Highlands (662 meters), then moving on to Malibu Lake, Old Agoura and Hidden Hills,” Reinhardt said. The cost to upgrade each meter is about $115. The conversion will take place over several years.

Board member Lee Renger said the new meters will also benefit ratepayers who want to track water usage and save money.

“We hope that eventually the system will be able to give customers a readout on the Internet to check if they have a water leak in between billing periods,” he said.

Customers don’t need to be at home when the new equipment is installed. Reinhardt said the automation will not lead to job layoffs at the water district.

At last month’s meeting, officials also considered a proposal by communications consultant Charles Gardiner to study the district’s public relations standing in the community.

Board member Joseph Bowman said he wants to make sure the district uses effective communication with the public and the media.

For example, Bowman said, “The district could have done a better job to communicate what is being done with the union contract negotiations. I’m a firm believer in transparency and in providing facts.”

Renger said he wasn’t impressed with the Gardiner presentation.

“District employees can do the survey by themselves,” Renger said.

Other action taken at the meeting included the awarding of a contract of up to $58,800 to Accurate Telecom Inc. for an upgrade to the district’s telephone system.

The board also said it wants to clarify under what conditions— besides nonpayment of bills—the water district can shut off service to its customers.

The district came under fire in September for shutting off water service to a rural Calabasas property owner who was being investigated by the city for building code violations.


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