by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer
At the August 27 meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Sewanee Utility District of Franklin and Marion Counties, the board voted to contract with United Systems to install automated meter reading (AMR) technology over the course of the next two years. The board also discussed revising the cross-connection policy, which could affect many local businesses.
AMR will enable SUD to retrieve customer meter data via a radio transmitter system rather than manually reading meters, saving time and fuel costs. Manager Ben Beavers received seven bids for the new system. Three were incomplete, and two exceeded SUD’s $350,000 budget. Beavers reviewed bid data from the two vendors whose bids were within SUD’s budget: Consolidated Pipe and Supply ($331,876) and United Systems ($343,636).
Beavers recommended contracting with United Systems even though the bid was slightly more. Explaining his decision, Beavers said SUD was already a United customer for billing software, and SUD was pleased with the service the company provided. Beavers also cited numerous benefits of the Itron radio-read system used by United. The Itron system works with any brand of meter; utility company employees can access hourly meter data without leaving the truck; customer interface is available so customers can read meter data on their computers (cost: $150 for the software, plus $10 annually). Itron is the world’s largest manufacturer of AMR systems; and Itron has a reputation for giving good local service.
The board voted to contract with United Systems to install AMR technology in the district, with a projected completion date of January 2014.
On the suggestion of SUD commissioner Randall Henley, the board reviewed SUD’s cross-connection policy. Summarizing, Beavers said, the policy states “No backflow is allowed.” Backflow refers to water passing from the customer side of the meter back into the SUD system, with a possible result being contamination of the public water supply. The two primary backflow concerns are customers who use both public-utility water and well water, and wet-fire systems at the University, where stagnant water in sprinkler systems could flow back into the public water supply. Customers with possible cross-connection sources, such as wells and wet-fire systems, are required to install backflow prevention devices.
There is also a risk of backflow in commercial kitchens, hair salons and other businesses, Beavers said.
Although the board took no formal action, they discussed a number of aspects of the backflow issue.
The board considered requiring all commercial customers to install backflow prevention devices, which is the policy at some water utilities. Beavers said installing a backflow prevention device would cost the customer more than $300. The board discussed requiring new commercial customers to install backflow prevention devices and giving existing customers until May 2015 to install one. (Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation regulations require SUD to revisit its cross-connection policy every five years. SUD’s current policy went into effect in May 2010.)
The board also considered requiring only certain categories of commercial customers to install backflow prevention devices. Beavers will compile a breakdown of SUD’s commercial accounts according to the type of water use and present it to the board for review.
The SUD Board will schedule a working session for September to discuss the Lake Dimmick agreement and the capital improvement plan. The next regular business meeting is scheduled for Sept. 24.
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