By Dave Faries

Editor

Laddonia is set to install digital water meters at all city locations. The work should take place over the next two months and involve 160 accounts.

The decision to upgrade the system was made by Laddonia Board of Aldermen after research into digital meters in use by other communities and a presentation on the system. The city contracted with Schulte Supply out of St. Peters, Missouri for the installation. Laddonia’s board expects to spend around $50,000 on the project.

“It’s going to save on labor and water,” explained alderman Gary Garnett, adding that the meters benefit both the residents and the city.

Digital meters not only provide more precise measures of water use, they can also be read from a cell phone application. Garnett points out that this will result in fewer disputes over water bills and less time for city workers, who will no longer go meter to meter.

In addition, the meters send an electronic alert when they detect a leak. The system can then pinpoint the location of a leak. This limits the amount of digging involved when workers seek out a problem.

“In a couple of years it will pay for itself,” said Laddonia mayor Josh Deimeke.

Smart meters, or Advanced Metering Infrastructure, are being installed in cities across the country. While there have been glitches reported, the technology is capable of boosting revenue, allowing customers to measure their own water usage and saving water. Research suggests that the U.S. loses more than two trillion gallons of water a year due to broken pipes and faulty mechanical meters.

“It makes everything easier,” Garnett said. “It basically helps the people and the city.”

Several homes and businesses in Laddonia already had digital meters installed.