Beginning in 2018, Red Lion Municipal Authority will be undertaking a major upgrade to our water meter system that will include replacing the water meters, some of which are over 20 years old. The existing meters are a mechanical type that loses accuracy after 10-14 years. The American Water Works Association suggests all utilities accurately measure and account for all water that they draw from the reservoir and distribute to end users, thus the change out.  The new meters will have no moving parts, so the useful life will be 20+ years without losing accuracy.  The water meter only reads the water going through the meter.  The new meters will allow leaks to be discovered more quickly so Authority staff can let you know, saving you money.  There is no cost to you, the customer.  

Tips on How to Protect your Water Meter:

During winter months, we ask that you take special care to protect your water meter from freezing. This will not only help us by not having to send an employee to repair the frozen meters, but is beneficial to YOU since the owner of the property is responsible for paying for the frozen water meter and for the labor to replace it. Some tips on preventing damage caused by frozen meters are:
• Locate the meter in a place that is heated and out of the wind and weather (like a basement or crawl space).

• If the meter or water lines are not in a properly heated area, wrap your meter and water lines with insulation and/or heat tape (available at local hardware stores).

• In extreme cases of cold, let one of your faucets run very slowly. A slight increase in your water bill may be better than the costly task of replacing frozen meters, water pipes, or property damage.