Providing Meter Access
With hundreds of
water meters to read each day, our meter reader must be able to quickly access
your water meter in order to collect meter readings which will result in a
correct charge to your utility account.
Under normal conditions, we attempt to read your meter every month. If a meter
reader can quickly collect a reading from your meter on the first visit to your
property, it helps keep utility costs down, which benefits all customers in
helping to keep rates stable. Here are some helpful tips for making sure that
your water meter is accessible:
- In winter,
please shovel a path and keep touchpad area clear of ice and snow. In
Spring to Fall, please trim bushes, trees, and grass that block the way to
or cover the touchpad (This is the little black half dollar size
"button" on the outside of your house). It is amazing how
quickly these plants can cover a water meter touchpad during the growing
season. Please avoid planting landscape items in the area which meter
readers must travel to get to your meter. We would like to avoid any
accidental damage to your prized plantings.
- Keep pets
away from the path that leads to your meter. If you have a dog which is
used for security, please let us know so that we can make sure that our
meter reader and other utility personnel are aware of this. We may ask
that you arrange to confine the dog during the day that your meter will be
read.
- Please make
sure that no objects are placed so that they cover or block access to the
meter touchpad. A few of the items we find blocking access include cars,
trailers, garbage cans and recycling bins, construction equipment or
supplies, landscape bark or gravel.
- If your
meter is located behind a gate that is normally kept locked, please
contact us to arrange access. We often obtain keys from customers who wish
to secure their premises and also allow access for our meter reader.
- Please
ensure your house address is clearly displayed on your residence. This can
assist not only our meter reader, but emergency personnel who may need to
find your home in a hurry.
Going Away?
When you plan to be gone for an extended period of time, please contact us at
(906) 228-0420 to let us know when you will be gone and the name and phone
number of a contact person in case a problem is discovered.