Town of Claresholm to replace all water meters in town

By Rob Vogt

The Town of Claresholm is about to embark on a program to replace all the water meters in town.
Jace McLean, the town’s director of infrastructure, explained the current water meters and encoder receiver transmitters are 18 years old and reaching the end of their lives.
The encoder receiver transmitters, that transmit water meter information to the town’s reading devices, have begun failing at an increased rate.
The town has replaced 428 encoder receiver transmitterss at a cost of almost $80,000.
There are an additional 400 failed encoder receiver transmitters in our system that need to be replaced.
There are roughly 1,600 meters total in town. The current meters are a positive displacement meter, meaning they have mechanical parts that measure the flow of water. After extended use, these meters lose efficiency, with an estimated 15 to 30 percent of water flow not captured.
The field collection system currently used by the town to collect the meter data is also becoming obsolete and will no longer be supported after 2028.
Taking all these factors into account, the town has decided to replace all water meters and transmitting devices in town and make the transition to a new collection system.
Neptune Technology Group was awarded the contract for the complete replacement of the town’s metering system, at a cost of $1.1 million.
This project is funded through the water and sewer reserve, which is supported entirely with annual transfers to the reserve through the utility program.
It was noted the utility department is not funded through general taxation, but via the water and sewer rates, therefore there will be no tax increase associated with this project.
Utility rates will remain unchanged for the rest of 2025 as per the town’s bylaw. Some properties may see an increase in water consumption if the old meters have slowed or stopped recording accurately.
The new meters will be a Neptune Mach 10. These meters are ultrasonic, using sound waves to accurately measure water flow as low as 0.15 litres per minute.
The Mach 10 has no moving parts, therefore will never lose accuracy, with an internal battery and have a projected 20-year lifespan.
The town will transition to a cellular transmitter, Neptune R9000 AMI Solution. These transmitters send a signal directly to the town’s reading software, eliminating the need to drive the town to read meters, which is the current practice.
The town will receive on-demand readings, as well as notifications from any meters experiencing excessive flow or freezing temperatures. The new software also has a customer portal, allowing residents to view current water usage and historical water consumption.
Neptune Technology will carry out the meter installs. An online appointment booking system will be activated in the coming weeks to allow customers to book install times.
Appointments can either be booked on the website 24 hours a day, or by calling the toll-free number between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
All bookings will be carried out directly through Neptune, so residents are advised not to contact the Town of Claresholm.
The installations will take place Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and should take approximately 30 minutes per install.
The install crews will also be out Sundays hanging door hangers and notices.
Installations will begin at the end of October and will be finished early January.
The Neptune install crews will be well identified, and will be wearing hi-visibility clothing, and driving well marked Neptune vehicles.
The installation of the new meters is mandatory in accordance with town Bylaw No. 1659, and the town is asking for cooperation from all customers.
It was noted failure to allow the installation of the new meter will result in town enforcement of the bylaw.
In preparation for the meter installs, the town is asking all residents to make sure their meters are ready with clear access to the meter, a clear working space in front of the meter, and at least 16 inches of clearance all around the current meter.
Residents should also test their under-meter shutoff valve before the installation date and contact a local plumber for replacement if it is not operational. The under-meter shutoff must work for the meter to be installed. Any additional work needed by the installers to facilitate the meter installation will be billed directly back to the customer.
Everyone is encouraged to look for information on the town’s website, Claresholm.ca, on the town’s social media, and in the utility newsletter.
With the Canada Post strike, all mail outs will be done digitally. Please take this opportunity to sign up for e-billing through the Town of Claresholm to ensure up to date communication.