BY PAUL MITCHELLNorth Country This Week

CANTON – The village’s Department of Public Works is resuming its push to install updated water meters.

Village Superintendent Timothy Bacon recently updated the village board on the water meter initiative, saying about one half or around 750 water meters still need to be replaced. The new meter will allow DPW workers to record water usage data without physically walking up to a water meter.

“It’s important that customers receive accurate bills for the amount of water consumed,” stated Bacon. “The Village of Canton has been working for this for sometime but will be ramping up the process this summer.”

Bacon noted the village informed the public about the water meter program using door hangers but did not get a lot of response. A mailing targeting houses without new water meters will take place. “We are more than willing to talk to folks that have questions or concerns about what model they may have.”

The mailing reads: In order to avoid a quarterly non-compliance fee of $50, please make an appointment to have your water meter replaced if you have not done so. Please contact us at 315-386-2871, ext. 203 or by email at mmousaw@cantonny.gov to schedule an appointment. The work should take approximately 30 minutes and the water will need to shut off during that time. There will be no charge for the upgraded meters. Currently, the times for installation will be from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Thursday. Thank you for your cooperation.

“The water meter replacement program is an important part of the process to ensure continued accurate billing for all customers. We thank you and look forward to your support and cooperation to make this program a success,” Bacon remarked.

The new water meter is a Neptune MACH 10 with an integrated E coder meter. This meter will flag the date collector immediately for any leaks while quarterly readings are taken, Bacon explained.

“The meter uses ultrasonic transit-time technology and solid state electronics. It contains no moving parts and reduces measurement errors due to pressure fluctuations,” he said.

Bacon provided key information about the meter installation.

A village employee will need access to the inside of your home or business, the work typically takes 30 to 90 minutes to complete, morning or afternoon appointments are available Monday through Thursday, an adult age 18 or older must be present during the installation and just be available for the entire appointment duration, and an opening of approximately 16 by 16 inches is needed if the meter/valve is behind a wall, partition or covering.

This program is mandatory for all homes and businesses, Bacon emphasized.

Bacon asked that people hold off on making an appointment until they receive the pamphlet that will include further information in the mail.