The replacement of obsolete water meters in Bedford’s homes and small businesses is well underway, and those involve with the project, which began in 2018, are pleased with the process.
However, the Bedford Department of Public Works wants to remind homeowners who have yet to make the switch of their role in the change to new, digital meters.
Please schedule an appointment when your green postcard arrives in the mail.
- Bedford residents can read about the town’s water meter replacement program at https://www.bedfordma.gov/water-division/pages/water-meter-replacement-program. The site includes a general information map and a page for frequently asked questions.
- The site also includes a number to schedule appointment with Mass Installation Inc., 1-800-933-1360.
Bedford is replacing about 4,500 residential and 1,000 irrigation water meters, many of which are 20 years or more years old. The change over is free to property owners.
DPW assistant director Rajitha Purimetla said the oldest meter that was replaced was 28 years old. New water meters, Purimetla said, are a conservation move to reduce water waster with an eye toward the environment.
“It’s gotten to a point where [the old meters] are not able to detect leaks,” Purimetla said. “The newer models can detect leaks and can warn homeowners if they have a faucet running or a toilet running. We have that technology now. People getting enormous bills and don’t know why. There has been a leak.”
Meter changes can only be done with permission from the homeowner, who need to make an appointment with Mass Installation, Inc. (MII). Homeowners should also expect postcard reminders in the mail.
“It’s a collaborative project,” Purimetla said. “In the beginning of the project, everybody called up. Lately, it’s been not so good. It’s a mandatory program. So, get that appointment done.
“We’ve been blessed with having a contractor who is working so well for us.”
The DPW kicked off the project in 2018, hiring MII as a consultant. The town purchased the state-of-art digital meters and created an estimate of labor costs. The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority provided part of the total $1.5 million budget.
“Overall, I think the meter replacement program is moving along well,” DPW director David Manugian said. “Generally speaking, many residents have an interest both in conserving water as well as being able to track their water use. The new technology in the meters has an appeal to them in that sense. We appreciate people’s patience as we come into their homes to get this done.”
Homes with an irrigation system must also use a second meter. The billing between the water and sewer and irrigation meters provide different information and are billed separately. Irrigation water does not flow into the sewer system.
“The same amount of water you use goes into the sewer system,” Purimetla said. “That’s why the meters are different.”
The town is also taking the opportunity during the water meter replacement process to look for sump pumps that are pouring water into the sewer system. A sump pump removes excess water from homes, typically from the basement where water can collect.
In Bedford, the volume of water being pumped into homes is lower than what is being dumped into the sewer system.
“It’s way more,” Purimetla said. “People may have not known it was illegal to connect a sump pump to a sewer. One thing we want to do is educate. The drainage system is way different than the sewage system.”
In spite of the recent slowing of calls to make an appointment to switch out old water meters for new, Purimetla has been pleased with the project’s progress. She said the DPW is sensitive to the nature of the job.
“We need residents to call MII,” she said. “We want to be as transparent as possible. It might be looked at as an intrusive project. When a contractor goes into someone’s home, it’s a very personal space.”
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