5.4. ERMUSR 06-08-2013 Elk River
Municipal Utilities
13069 Orono Parkway phone: 763.441.2020
Elk River, MN 55330 Fax 763.441-8099
May 25, 2004
To: Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission
Jerry Takle
Jim Tralle
John Dietz
From: Bryan Adams
Subject: Water Meter Change-Out
As you may recall, we have started a program of residential electric and water meter
change-outs. This program removes the older meters from service and replaces them
with newer radio read meters thus making it more efficient and quicker for our meter
readers. Electric meters are on the exterior of the house and are easy to replace.
Changing the water meters, which are generally located in the basement of the
residences, requires us to have access to our customers water meter. Here lays our major
obstacle. If we cannot make contact with the customer by phone or use of a door hanger,
it is unusual they will call us to make an appointment, at their convenience, to allow us to
change this water meter. We experienced the same difficulty last year with the 4th Street
rehabilitation project in an effort to inspect the material of customers' water services
before start of construction. We only inspected about 50% of the customers' water
services for that project.
Our water rules policy states:
Meter Access
For the purpose of reading, checking meters, or enforcement of Utilities Rules
And Regulations, duly authorized employees of the Elk River Municipal
Utilities may legally enter upon any premises and have access to the meters
at any reasonable time. The meter shall not be enclosed in any enclosure which
can not readily be removed by the owner when it becomes necessary to remove
the meter for repair, maintenance, or routine testing.
We are proposing the following procedure to make appointments to change water meters.
1) Call on phone during and after business hours to arrange day or evening
appointments (if no response...)
2) Leave door hanger(if no response...)
3) Mail first letter (if no response...)
4) Mail second letter.
The last letter does include disconnecting the water service if an appointment is not
made. Once they call us, we will immediately change the meter and restore water
service. This will probably be an after hours call out.
The second letter is a little heavy handed, but I am afraid it is ultimately the only way if
we desire to change out water meters. Unfortunately, due to today's violent and criminal
behavior, customers are skeptical of who they are dealing with if not face to face, and are
reluctant to let unfamiliar people into their homes. Do you have any other suggestions?
0 \\--\cA
The Elk River Municipal Utilities is in the process of replacing the electric and water
meters at our customers homes. The new meters will be radio read meters making them
more efficient to read by our meter readers without having to enter the home.
Changing your water meter, which is generally located in the basement, requires us to
have access to your water meter. We know this is an inconvenience to you, but we do
ask that you call and arrange a day or evening appointment as soon as possible to allow
us to change your water meter. Please call our office at 763-441-2020 or you can call
Brad at 763-607-3200 to set up your appointment.
May 24, 2004
Name
Address
City State Zip
Subject: Water Meter Replacement
Dear
The Elk River Municipal Utilities is in the process of replacing the electric and water
meters at our customers homes. The new meters will be radio read meters making them
more efficient to read by our meter readers without having to enter your home.
Changing your water meter, which is generally located in the basement, requires us to
have access to your water meter. We have called on a couple of occasions and left a door
hanger to arrange an appointment to come out and change your meter, but have yet to
make contact with you.
We know this is an inconvenience to you, but we do ask that you call and arrange a
daytime or evening appointment as soon as possible to allow us to change your water
meter. Please call our office at 763-441-2020 or you can call Brad at 763-607-3200 to set
up your appointment.
Best regards,
Bryan Adams, P.E.
General Manager
May 24, 2004
Name
Address
City State Zip
Subject: Water Meter Replacement
Dear
The Elk River Municipal Utilities is in the process of replacing the electric and water
meters at our customers homes. The new meters will be radio read meters making them
more efficient to read by our meter readers without having to enter your home.
Changing your water meter, which is generally located in the basement, requires us to
have access to your water meter. We have called, left door hangers and previously
written to you asking you to arrange an appointment at your convenience to change your
water meter, but have yet to make contact.
The policy of Elk River Municipal Utility states, "For the purpose of reading, checking
meters, or enforcement of Utilities Rules and Regulations, duly authorized employees of
the Elk River Municipal Utilities may legally enter upon any premises and have access to
the meters at any reasonable time. The meter shall not be enclosed in any enclosure
which cannot readily be removed by the owner when it becomes necessary to remove the
meter for repair, maintenance, or routine testing".
We know this is an inconvenience to you, but we do ask that you call and arrange a day
or evening appointment as soon as possible to have your water meter replaced. Please
call our office at 763-441-2020 or you can call Brad at 763-607-3200 to set up your
appointment. Failure to make an appointment may result in temporary loss of water
service.
Best regards,
Bryan Adams, P.E.
General Manager