Contractor to set date, time to change out water meter

When Ferguson Waterworks contacts Brandon property owners to schedule a day and time to swap out the home’s water meter for a new one, the best advice is to schedule the appointment – and keep it.

On April 6, the Brandon City Council approved Resolution 08-20, Requiring All Water Utility Customers to allow Entry to Change Water Meter. 

Because Ferguson Waterworks will need inside access to change out the meter, they will be mailing postcards soon to homeowners whose property is included in the project’s first phase, according to city finance officer Christina Smith. The contractor will make three contacts with property owners. If a fourth contact is warranted, the city will terminate water service at the property.

Smith said the city sees an advantage of contracting with Ferguson Waterworks, because they’re able to work nights and weekends. 

“It’s more flexible for residents to set up appointments,” she explained.

Installation is expected to take around 20 minutes, she added.

In February, the council approved a $49,739 bid to replace approximately 700 aging water meters. The meters in need of replacing are about 20 years old, Smith said. The neighborhoods west of Aspen Park and south of Aspen Boulevard is the primary area targeted for meter replacement.

The bid, which was the lone bid received, will cover installation of the first phase of the six-year project that will replace aging meters throughout the city. 

The $49,739 bid does not include the meters. In total, this phase of the project has an estimated price tag of about $220,000.