By May, all residents in Ridgeland should have water meters with the latest cellular technology.
The meters are smart meters that use wireless communication technology to transmit data about water usage to a central servicer. The data is analyzed and used for billing purposes, leak detection and water conservation initiatives.
Although the meter project is not yet complete, the majority of Ridgeland water customers can go ahead and download the EyeOnWater App on their cell phones and keep an eye on their hourly or daily water usage.
“We are at a point in the installation where at least 93 percent of customers can now take advantage of the app,” said Alan Hart, director of public works for the city of Ridgeland.
“There will still be 7 percent that are not yet eligible because the technology hasn’t been changed yet. We are gearing up to announce the app in our next magazine (Ridgeland Life) issue for the spring.”
Being aware of how much water a household uses is a conservation effort that can help keep a water bill as low as possible, he said.
The city has about 9,900 water meters and about 1,500 of those meters that are 15 years old or older are being replaced due to age and wear, he said. The rest of the meters are being upgraded.
The system software was also upgraded.
The new meters and upgraded meters do not mark the first time the city of Ridgeland has had water meters with smart technology.
“Our previous meters had smart technology, but we would have to drive by with our reading software to download the readings and notifications,” Hart said. “These cellular meters communicate with our system four times per day, so we and the customer are able to get more regular communication about usage and notifications about leaks and other communication-related issues.”
Hemphill Construction and city of Ridgeland crews are making the upgrades and replacements, he said. Badger is the brand of water meters.
“This purchase was done as a sole source bid due to that fact that 85 percent of our inventory was retrofitted,” Hart said. “The comparative bidding was done in 2007 when the city selected Badger Meter.”
The project that was begun in May 2022 is about 93 percent complete and should be finished before May, he said. “It was important to us to move carefully through the project with the least amount of disruptions and mistakes,” he said.
The $3.7 million project is funded primarily by the Mississippi Municipality & County Water Infrastructure Grant Program Act and with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. The Legislature and governor created the Mississippi Municipality & County Water Infrastructure Grant Program Act to provide matching funds to eligible entities for making necessary investments in water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure.
