FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
On May 15th, 2018, City Council voted in favor of a financial transfer from Water and Sewer accounts which puts in place the replacement of all the water meters in the City over the next several years. This project prepares for the City to replace 15,000 plus Advanced Meter Infrastructure (AMI) project at an estimated cost of $6.5 million. Currently the average age of the current water meters within the City is over 19 years old. These meters will begin being replaced by the Chicopee Water Department later this year.
A cost analysis determined that a cost share among three (3) city departments Chicopee Electric Light, Water, and Sewer Department. These departments created a City Evaluation Team which also included Councilors Tillotson and Laflamme to review proposals from ten (10) vendors. The Evaluation Team then narrowed these down to the top three (3) and based off a technical evaluation voted unanimously to proceed with the joint Electric and Water meter proposal from Honeywell. These meters will be funded from existing revenues.
These new AMI meters have many new unique capabilities that will provide residents a more efficient way of knowing water usage. These water meters will communicate via a radio signal to the electric meter which then communicates to the AMI system which will be located at Chicopee Electric Light which will be hosting all the data collected. Some of the benefits included in this system include continually tracking water usage, and providing alerts to the City and the homeowner for low, high, and abnormal water usage. A leak detection and notification will reduce financial losses and property damage. The Honeywell meters carry a 15 year warranty.
“This is an important improvement to our water and electrical metering system which will benefit our homeowners and businesses.” Mayor Richard Kos said.
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