The Pierre City Commission has given approval for the City to try out a new water metering system.
The pilot program will bring 500 new water meters online in 2024. Brad Palmer, City Utilities Director, says the program gives the City a chance to try out a different type of meter.
“Our existing meters provide automated reading services but require more equipment than those involved with the pilot program,” said Palmer. “The pilot will let us know what benefits or challenges the system might bring to Pierre.”
Regardless of this pilot program, the City does intend to pursue a new metering system.
“Much of the current system is at the end of its useful life; we need to make a move in the near future, we’re hopeful the system we’re trying out will be a good fit,” Palmer said.
Palmer expects the pilot program to take about six months.
The pilot program meters will be installed for a small sampling of the City’s water utility customers. Those who are impacted will be contacted directly with further instruction.
The City owns and maintains the water meters in the community; the new meter installation comes with no new cost to utility customers. The City of Pierre serves more than 13,640 customers who use an average of 2.6 million gallons of water each day.