Water customers who have not yet scheduled a meter replacement will be notified their service will be terminated if they do not comply with the project.

Village Administrator Gary Phillips told village council Wednesday night that 101 red tags will be sent out this week for those who have not yet responded to notices to schedule a water meter replacement as part of the village’s comprehensive project to replace approximately 850 outdated meters. He said 667 meters have already been installed, but that there were 131 no responses–101 active customers and 21 non-active customers that have no water at this time, but will in the future. The 21 non-active customers will be receiving a letter.

Installation began in late August and customers were advised to schedule an appointment to have their meters replaced. Two notices were mailed to customers, reminders were put on the water bills and the monthly newsletter the past three months, a news release was posted on the village’s website in late August and information about the project has been posted on the village’s website and Facebook page, Phillips noted.

“We’ve done everything possible to get the word out on this,” he said.

Customers who receive a red tag will have 72 hours to schedule an appointment or have their service terminated. Once service is terminated, customers will be responsible for the cost to have it turned back on as well as the installation of the new meter.

“We’re trying to make every effort to accommodate customers,” Phillips added, noting bad plumbing letters were mailed to 20 customers Tuesday. “There’s going to be problems with plumbing, and there’s going to be other issues, when dealing with a 25-year-old meter.”

Council in April accepted the bid of $417,929 from Neptune Equipment Company of Cincinnati (NECO) on the recommendation from project engineer Jon Vollnogle of Howells and Baird civil engineers. Then in May council authorized Phillips to seek at 30-year low-interest low loan through the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) for the project.

The project will implement the Neptune R900 Gateway system, with new RF transmitters installed at each customer’s property, according to information provided by the village. The new transmitters offer greater distance signal for a more reliable signal. Village officials expect the new system to more than pay for itself, particularly since the meters will be able to be read from the water office instead of requiring an employee go out into the field to record readings.

khowell@salemnews.net