2020-2021 Water Meter Replacement Program

2020-2021 Water Meter Replacement Program

Update: The Water Meter Replacement Program is now complete. The Village of Glencoe is appreciative of all the residents and businesses that have cooperated to help complete this project.

Introduction

In March of 2020, the Village of Glencoe approved a contract for the Village-wide replacement of its water meter infrastructure. The water meter replacement project is a part of a larger plan to address aging water infrastructure across the Village and was anticipated in the Village 2020 Stub Year Budget. The Village has elected to install “smart” water meter technology that utilizes a remote wireless meter reading process and has selected the Sensus water meter product line, known for its reliability, accuracy, and longevity. This technology provides better customer service, reduced operation costs and greater data accuracy.

Systemwide Water Infrastructure Investments

The replacement of the water meter infrastructure is an essential part of the Village’s ongoing extensive plan to address aging water infrastructure, including its water distribution mains and the water plant. As outlined in the 2015 Master Water Plan, the collective goals of the water infrastructure improvements are to maintain adequate water pressure and fire flow in the system and provide for redundancies which will improve operations in times of emergency. The planned water main replacement improvements will decrease the number of water main breaks. Staff is also exploring options and alternatives with respect to the long-term viability of the Village’s 92-year-old water plant, including an ongoing joint feasibility study with the Village of Winnetka. Ultimately these improvements, including the water meter infrastructure replacement, are critical to maintaining and improving upon the existing level of service to the community.

“Smart" Technology 

The installation of new “smart” water meters improves the water customer experience and streamlines water operations. Glencoe water utility customers can expect greater access to their water usage data throughout a billing period, allowing customers to monitor high use, identify potential water leaks, as well as enhancing water conservation efforts. New water meters ensure fair and accurate water billing for customers as well as strengthen the financial health of the water utility. The Village will experience greater efficiency with fewer staff hours devoted to meter reading and failed meter changeouts. The Village will also be able reduce its carbon footprint by eliminating the need for the “drive-by” meter-reading process. Additionally, the Village utilizes the new water data to meet its regulatory obligations to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources as a direct diverter of Lake Michigan water by improving its efforts to locate and reduce water leaks in the distribution system which is a major contributor to the volume of non-revenue water.

The new meter reading system, Advanced Meter Infrastructure (AMI), is an automatic process that collects readings multiple times a day as well as on-demand, as the figure below explains.

Contact Information

The Glencoe water utility appreciates your cooperation in making this project a success. For more detailed information, please visit the Village of Glencoe website. For any questions or concerns related to the water meter replacement program, please contact Management Analyst Jeff Mawdsley at (847) 461-1141.