"The creek done rise." I imagine that meter is going to have a heck of time counting all that as it passes over it. Or imagine ice freezing it on a single 'open' setting. Ice expands. Hello?
All it takes is a minor drop of condensation freezing overnight and by the time the problem is discovered it is all thawed out and there is nothing wrong. The electronic meters don't work so put the mechanical ones back and put PUBLIC EMPLOYEES back to work. What a waste of money.
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I sincerely do not believe this is that much of a mystery. The cities spent money on stupid electronic gadgets that 'GET WET.' Not only that, but, it puts people out of a job. The cities thought they would save on wages and pensions so they went electronic.
The other possibility is more simple than you know. If these meters are 'sensitive' enough to be read by 'driving by' then they are sensitive enough to pick up signals as well. The 'incorrect' readings are probably because of 'wave length' compatibility with devices that pass by or even 'machinery wave length' of construction crews or repair devices.
It was simply a bad investment and before they know it they'll have to revert back to mechanical meters and meter readers all over again. I mean electronics are sincerely not compatible with water meters that change temperature, are in the ground with condensation and all kinds of underground dynamics. Heck, a mild earthquake could set them off to run over their capacity. It is simply a really bad idea.
The residents most effected should have the option of having a mechanical reader installed with meter readers taking their readings every month. It is a good way to start back on the right path.
There is probably going to be increasing systemic problems because all one needs is a mild flood to really reek havoc or the 'wavelength' mechanism will fall into disrepair over time.
Skyrocketing water bills mystify, anger residents
March 1, 2011 10:23 a.m. EST
Atlanta (CNN) -- Imagine paying as much for water as you do for your mortgage.
Residents throughout Atlanta are outraged by hundreds, even thousands of dollars in monthly spikes in their water bills, and have questioned the legitimacy of the charges for years. Now, they're demanding answers.
"I thought we were sinking in a hole of water," said Debbi Scarborough. "It scared me to death. I thought we had a major leak when I got the bill."
Over two months last summer, her family's monthly water bill, shot up to $1,805 In July and then $1,084 in August, leaving a balance due of more than $3,000. She said in the past her bill has averaged $200 to $250.
"I'm not paying a $3,000 bill. And for those three months, we were pretty much out of town most of the time and there's no leaks," she said, showing CNN a copy of her plumber's report....
Residents throughout Atlanta are outraged by hundreds, even thousands of dollars in monthly spikes in their water bills, and have questioned the legitimacy of the charges for years. Now, they're demanding answers.
"I thought we were sinking in a hole of water," said Debbi Scarborough. "It scared me to death. I thought we had a major leak when I got the bill."
Over two months last summer, her family's monthly water bill, shot up to $1,805 In July and then $1,084 in August, leaving a balance due of more than $3,000. She said in the past her bill has averaged $200 to $250.
"I'm not paying a $3,000 bill. And for those three months, we were pretty much out of town most of the time and there's no leaks," she said, showing CNN a copy of her plumber's report....
