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Smiths Falls is expected to award a contract to Neptune Technology Group Canada to replace the remaining residential water metres.
The comapny will install Neptune T-10 water metres, which will allow staff to receive their readings remotely through radio frequency transmitters.
That feature is a significant time saver in the eyes of Manager of Water and Wastewater Andrew MacNaughton.
The current water metres have long since aged out, the staff report reads.
When tested, the existing water metres under perform at a minimum of 10%, meaning a significant portion of water flow is not recorded and therefore the town misses revenue.
With these new metres, MacNaughton said the time saved will allow staff to focus elsewhere.
Director of Public Works and Utilites Paul McMunn agreed.
Water usage revenue for the town in 2024 was about $800,000. MacNaughton estimates they lost anywhere between $80,000 to $100,000 from missed reads.
They began the process earlier this year replacing about a third of the 3,260 metres in town with the Neptune model.
The contract is a tick under $1.708 million with council expected to provide pre-budget approval for about $883,000 for the 2026 capital budget.
$58,181.80 of the quoted price is attributed to trade tariffs as the water metres are manufactured in Alabama and the raw materials come from China.
Council expressed their support of the staff recommendation to enter the agreement, which will come forth for official approval at a future council meeting.
Story by Grant Deme