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When to monitor water usage? WTF explains
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Posted on Aug 01 2005
Residents and businesses on Saipan who are now using the new water meters won’t get billed for their water consumption until a meter card that contains a water meter number and a registered reading is issued to them.
The meter cards will be issued to the consumers once the meters have been tested and found working properly after its installation. The registered reading on the card is the initial reading and the consumer should base his water consumption on this number for his utility bill.
The Water Task Force clarified this after receiving reports from consumers who are surprised to see that the new water meters have initial readings prior to its installation on their service lines.
The Water Task Force explained that the water meters have initial readings because they were tested prior to its shipment to Saipan.
Dr. Neil Furmidge, an engineering director from Severn Trent Metering Services Ltd., who was on Saipan last week, explained that each water meter was calibrated and tested to make sure it is functioning properly before its delivery to customers.
Severn Trent Metering Services, Ltd., a United Kingdom based company, supplied the meters that a Water Task Force team began installing since early June. As of Friday, a total of 939 meters have been installed in different areas on Saipan.
Furmidge made a presentation to the Water Task Force meter installation team and employees of the CUC Water Division and explained the main features of the new water meters. “This is the world’s number one domestic meter and does not measure air so the consumer pays for their actual water consumption,” he said.
Unlike mechanical meters, the new water meters automatically stops once it detects 25% of air from the service lines. The meters were also customized to fit Saipan’s weather condition. “These meters have very high chlorine resistance, very robust and highly reliable because there are no moving parts. The meters can be submerged on the water or below ground indefinitely and can still read,” Furmidge added.
Countries like Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Ireland and the United Kingdom have been using this type of water meter. (PR)
