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Published: 2013-02-28 17:44:00
Updated: 2013-02-28 17:44:47

Posted: February 28

Cary water meter reading goes wireless

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Cary, N.C. — The Town of Cary is offering residents a new online tool to track their water usage.

The Aquastar portal is designed to help 60,000 residents conserve water and save money. Officials estimate the system will save more than $10 million over 17 years, compared with the cost of manual meter reading.

The wireless system, which allows customers to set water usage text or email alerts, collects multiple meter reads each day. Those who already have an online utility payment account can use the same information to log in.

Cary officials said the town is the first municipality in the Triangle to offer a completely wireless system. Aquastar was designed and built for $172,553.

To access the portal, search “my utility bill” at the town's website .
 

  • Web Editor: Morgan Joyner
Copyright 2013 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

13 Comments


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$18+ millions to purchase and install smart AMI Water Meters. They have an obsolescence period of roughly 5 years.

The benefits claimed includes elimination of 10 readers at a cost of $60,000/ yr for each (total of $600,000 annually).

Think about that for a second. Meter readers make $60k per year. And the cost of the meters will never be recouped because of the cost of replacing the meters every 5 years.
Click to view my profile JustAName
March 4, 2013 9:08 a.m.
My utility bill went up $12 this month and can't figure out why...hmmm. wonder if this has anything to do with it?
me2you
March 1, 2013 3:36 p.m.
old news
common tater
March 1, 2013 12:55 p.m.
I wish raleigh had this. I still cant figure out why my bill varies so much. I can use half the water of prior month with same amount due. Every time I try to conserve ,I get frustrated because i am not able to see any difference with what I am charged.I think sometimes they don't even read the meter. it looks untouched and I have never seen anyone outside my house.
cynda-ur-way
March 1, 2013 10:48 a.m.
"It will save over 10 million over the next 17 years. Put that where you won't forget it, and see how much your bill increases over the same period of time."

Newer meters mean more accurate meters, displacement meters wear out in the customers favor.

Also, I'm guessing the $172,000 is what they paid for the website/email notification.
elyhim2
March 1, 2013 10:41 a.m.
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