Water meter replacement project nears completion
4:46 p.m. Jan. 14, 2026
Metro Moore Utility Department board members discussed system performance, leak detection, billing delays, and possible upgrades as the department works toward full implementation by the end of January.
DUANE CROSS
MCO Publisher•Editor
On Tuesday, Jan. 13, the Metro Moore Utility Department received an update that the county’s water meter replacement project is almost finished. Only a few meters still need to be installed, and work continues to improve system performance and address billing issues.
Andy Bain from Core & Main said that 2,730 new water meters had been installed as of Jan. 9. The last meters to be installed are larger ones that need special parts, along with a few cases where leaks were found or meters could not be located.
The project update noted that sometimes leaks are found during meter replacement when old pipes are disturbed. When this happens, the contractor, Vanguard, goes back to fix the problem. Officials also said that some leaks might not show up right away and could appear days after installation.
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Besides installing new meters, the contractor has been going back to finished sites to record the meter locations with GPS. This will help manage the system and keep data accurate in the long run.
The department talked about how the new system works. It uses both Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and Automated Meter Reading (AMR) technology. About 1,900 meters can now send usage data directly to collector stations several times a day. The rest still need to be read by a meter reader who drives through the area once a month.
Officials said that AMI meters try to connect with collectors up to eight times a day, giving almost real-time usage data in the system software. In contrast, AMR meters only record readings when a drive-by is done.
The new system’s AMI meters can also detect leaks, using software that flags possible leaks or bursts. Utility staff will get more training on this software later this month. Some board members were concerned about whether leak alerts are always being checked or shared, especially when customers lost a lot of water without being told.
The department also talked about billing problems with the mixed meter system. Since not all meters send data automatically, billing has to wait until drive-by readings are done, which can delay bills by a day. Staff said the transition has been difficult, but one employee can usually finish the drive-by route in a day.
Officials are considering expanding the system by adding more collector stations on water towers or cell towers. This would let more meters send data automatically and cut down on drive-by readings. Any expansion would need new studies, GPS and elevation data, and agreements to use the towers.
Bain said the drive-by system is working as planned, but there are still options if the department wants more automated coverage. He expects the last meter installations to be finished by the end of January, except for a few that might need extra coordination.
