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Denison water bills could spike with new automated water meters
DENISON, TX --
The city of Denison is improving how accurate their water meters are by installing new automated water meters. They've already started converting to the new meters since April.
The new meters will detect the exact usage amount and will even show details like the day and time used.
Joy Kinnamon has walked through a lot of grassy yards in her lifetime; she's been a meter reader for over thirty years.
"It's exciting right now because we're going to the automatic meter reading system," said Kinnamon.
The city of Denison decided back in 2008 to convert to automatic water meters for more accurate and efficient readings, but couldn't start until now, due to insufficient funds.
"It's approximately a four million dollar project, but based on the inefficient meters, we're estimating that it will pay itself back in somewhere around six to seven years," said Denison Public Works Director, David Howerton.
Howerton said the city's been losing money since the old meters readings were off by five to even thirty percent. They're currently installing about hundred new meters a day.
The new meters will be installed in every single home and business in Denison by the end of this year.
Kinnamon became a meter reader back in 1984. She said reading meters have come a long way since logging on index cards to the now automated system.
"A lot safer for one, also it's just faster, and more accurate," said Kinnamon.
Safer, because Kinnamon will now no longer have to leave the safety of her vehicle in order to get a reading. She's dealt with her fair share of adventure fighting off bugs, rats, skunks, and dogs.
"A dog had jumped out, and when it started chasing me, I just turned around and started screaming," said Kinnamon.
While she won't miss being chased by dogs, she will miss the relationships she has built with the residents.
"I love my job; I love the people, because they're like family," said Kinnamon.
There's about ten thousand water meters all throughout Denison. Once converted to the new automated meters, it will stay efficient for about ten to fifteen years.