New water meters

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

Hi, this was discussed a while back community.livejournal.com/davis_square/1725796.html . Now we got their little red cards urging us to call. Since that last thread, has anyone had any problems with the new meters?

Comments

[laryu.livejournal.com]

fwiw, no problems at all for me.

re-install

[hiddenbear.livejournal.com]

They had to come three times to our place. They installed the new meters .. then twice they called to say they weren't getting a signal and had to replace it again. Each time I had to take 1/2 a day off work.

Re: re-install

[geekpixie.livejournal.com]

One would question why they don't test the signal when they install? Sounds like somewhat poor planning on their parts, and an unfortunate situation for you.

What I wonder is....

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

How can they FORCE people to use their vacation time for something like this? How can it be legal? The last notice threatens to shut off water service if we don't call within 24 hrs and set up an appointment. I'm home on Saturday, they can come on Saturday (but of course, they don't work on Saturday).

Re: re-install

[hiddenbear.livejournal.com]

They have a mini-tester with which they confirm the signal is being transmitted. But for some stupid reason they don't have a way to have their actual receiving center confirm that they are getting the signal. In the end, they moved the transmitter all of one foot, and apparently that got it past whatever obstruction was blocking it before.

Re: What I wonder is....

[clevernonsense.livejournal.com]

they aren't really forcing you though--you have the option of not using their service :P

Re: What I wonder is....

[pierceheart.livejournal.com]

Fail.

Re: What I wonder is....

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

Good point. Given that I only shower once per year, perhaps I don't really need water after all.

Re: What I wonder is....

[hrafn.livejournal.com]

Dude just get a rain barrel, problem solved!

[jlauspitz.livejournal.com]

one positive effect: the City uses the streaming reports from the new meters to flag unusual use. I left a garden hose running and got a call alert, saving me money and potential water damage.

[afty.livejournal.com]

We had the same experience in our condo building. Garden hose running, call from the water department, and a quick fix on our end.

Loud

[cfox.livejournal.com]

Ours is loud. There's little sound insulation between the ground floor and the basement, so we hear it go 'tick tick tick' every time the water runs.

I don't mind; it makes it much more obvious if someone's showering or doing laundry, which is actually handy in our household.