New utility meters coming for Cuyahoga Falls residents, businesses
Cuyahoga Falls residents should expect to get new utility meters in the near future.
In 2020, the city settled with Johnson Controls and three subcontractors regarding the city's utility meters. The new equipment, which will cost more than $7 million, will be paid for through the sale of bonds and will be installed by Aclara Technologies LLC in Solon, Badger Meter Inc. in Milwaukee and Conxx Inc. in Cumberland, Maryland.
The city had first filed a legal complaint in 2018 against Johnson Controls over a 2008 contract for installation of automated water and electric meter reading systems. According to a court document filed in April 2018, the city claimed that Johnson Controls had replaced utility meters and installed a new system but did not tell city officials that the water meters were failing, and the automated electric meter system never performed up to the levels in the agreement between the company and city.
In June 2020, City Council agreed to a settlement of more than $3.7 million with Johnson Controls and three subcontractors.
Background:Cuyahoga Falls approves $3.7 million settlement for electric, water meters
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Under the settlement, Aclara Technologies will provide the Aclara One System, which includes new software, electric meters, meter transmitting units, and data collection units enabling the city to monitor customer usages, including irregularities, and provide remote disconnect capabilities. Badger Meter will upgrade the city’s water meters with its new E-Series polymer water meters and mechanical meters. Conxx Inc. will provide its Grid Observer electronic monitoring system, which provides increased efficiency and troubleshooting capabilities.
The installations were supposed to begin in late summer of 2020 but were delayed due to supply chain issues, general COVID-19-related delays and delays with negotiating the contracts. Carrie Snider, neighborhood excellence and downtown administrator, said the city was still waiting on delivery of the new meters. Once they are received, they will take about a year to install water meters in the city's 22,271 residential properties and 1,102 commercial. Electric meters will be installed in 28,731 residential properties and 2,270 commercial properties.
Reporter April Helms can be reached at ahelms@thebeaconjournal.com
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: New utility meters to be installed in Cuyahoga Falls after settlement