Over the next two weeks, a seven-person, safety vest-clad work crew will be installing new electronic meters on city water meters. The work began yesterday (Wednesday) morning, and will continue over the next two weeks until installation is complete.

The Fentress, Texas-based firm of Secure Vision of America is under contract with the city of Canadian to install the Kamstrup meters. Operations Director Robert Wyly said his crew members, who will all be wearing yellow and/or orange work vests, will be working from 8 am to 6 pm, seven days a week, to complete the job.

“We will knock on doors,” he said, “to make sure someone is home, and that they are not using water, and we will flush the line after installation, if our crew can find an outside faucet.”

The Secure Vision crew will install both the 5/8- by 3/4-inch meters and the 1-inch ones. Anything larger than that will be installed by city workers.

The purpose of the city of Canadian’s $426,357 project is to replace the old mechanical meters, which have been in the ground since the 1980s, with more efficient and accu rate ultrasonic ones. Those meters will work on a fixed network, and will upload hourly usage data reports directly to the city business office every three hours.

The result will be increased accuracy. As a direct result, Wyly said, the city will see an immediate increase in revenue from the more accurate readings.

The other advantage to the city will be a reduction in manpower costs. City Manager Joe Jarosek said it takes the equivalent of 28.5 days in man-hours to physically check the meter readings now. This will free city staff to perform other tasks.

City customers will also reap some benefits. Each electronic meter has an alarm system, which can indicate problems such as leaks, a busted or dry line, or reverse water flow. The alarm can also detect and report temperature changes in the line, and any attempt to tamper with the meter.

Wyly said if any city customer experiences problems after their meter installation, they can contact him at 830.243.7117 and his employees will inspect and repair, if needed. Customers may also contact the city office at 806.323.6473 during regular business hours.

PHOTOS BY LAURIE EZZELL BROWN