Firm Starts Installing Water Meters in Washington

The city of Washington has contracted with Siemens Building Technologies and the firm’s installation partner, Pedal Valves, Inc. (PVI), to install about 6,700 new residential and commercial iPERL water meters throughout town this year.

Test meters at various customers’ homes were installed earlier this week.

Once it has been determined that the new system is reading meters properly, Kevin Quaethem, water/wastewater superintendent, said it may take up to two weeks before PVI representatives will call residents and businesses to set up appointments for meter installations.

Quaethem reminded customers that PVI will contact them for appointments. He said there is no reason for customers to call the phone number listed in last month’s utility bills.

The meters will be installed in the same order in which meter readings are taken currently. Installations will continue through Sept. 15 of this year.

Installations will be scheduled between 8 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

Quaethem said customers should expect less than 30 minutes of interruption to their water service during the installation process.

At each installation appointment, a PVI crew member will install the inside meter and outside reading device.

PVI installers will be wearing a teal-colored shirt that reads “Siemens/PVI Meter Team” and their vehicles will be marked with the Siemens/PVI logo.

Quaethem said if a customer or property owner has an inoperable inside valve or if they want the valve changed out, it’s their responsibility to call the city and a plumber to address that work.