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Oct. 22, 2009
Gulfport gets new electronic water meters
GULFPORT — The Department of Public Works has launched a citywide effort to replace virtually every water meter in the city with new electronic meters, and so far, more than 7,500 meters have been installed.
Rather than having to manually read water meters by walking from house to house, the new meters can be read simply by driving down the street.
The electronic meters send out a signal every few seconds which is picked up by a computer inside the vehicle. The computer instantly downloads the data, including how much water is used each month. The computer also can generate hour-by-hour reports to show how much water is used at different times of the day.
If water runs at a home continuously without shutting off for at least three consecutive hours, the computer will detect a leak. Using that information, the Department of Public Works can quickly alert residents of potentially leaky toilets or faucets. (Video posted on the city’s YouTube channel shows how the meters are read).
When the citywide replacement is complete, Public Works officials will be able to accurately read every water meter in Gulfport in about two days. Currently, it takes more than a month to manually read every meter in the city.
The replacement project, approved by the City Council in February, is expected to generate nearly $1 million in annual revenue, mostly because the city’s old water meters are out dated and often give inaccurate readings, which leads to many customers paying less than others for the utility.
The new meters will mean everyone in Gulfport will pay only for the exact amount of water they use each month—no more, no less.
"This new state-of-the-art system will make our meter-reading more efficient than it has ever been,” said Public Works Director Benny Wolfe.
“This system is highly reliable and will allow leak detections to be found quickly, so customers can be alerted and problems can be addressed in a timely fashion. In addition, it will also help minimize high billing due to leaks, but most of all, the new system will ensure accurate and fair billing to all our customers.”
The installation work began in August on the southwestern side of the city, gradually moving northeast. Residents will be notified just prior to work starting in their neighborhoods.
In all, about 26,000 meters will be replaced during the 9-month project. Utility Metering Solutions (UMS) is the contractor chosen to perform the installation work.
Gulfport physics teacher wins national award
Scott Pfaff, a Gulfport High physics teacher, was nationally recognized Wednesday as a Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award winner.
Pfaff was the only Mississippi teacher to win the award this year from the Milken Family Foundation, and in May, he will receive an all-expense paid trip to Los Angeles for an awards banquet, at which he will be given a check for $25,000.
Pfaff was chosen by the Mississippi Department of Education and the award was announced Wednesday during a surprise visit to the school by the foundation, school district officials and Mayor George Schloegel.
“This is a fantastic honor, not only for Mr. Pfaff, but for the entire Gulfport School District and the City of Gulfport,” Mayor Schloegel said. “All of us should be very proud of Mr. Pfaff and the great things that are happening at our city schools.”
First presented in 1987, the Milken Family Foundation Award is designed to provide public recognition and a financial reward directly to teachers and principals who have a proven record of excellence in education.
In addition to the banquet in Los Angeles, Pfaff also will be honored by the Mississippi Board of Education during an upcoming board meeting.
Office of Public Information - rlafontaine@gulfport-ms.gov - Phone: 228-868-5782
P.O. Box 1780 Gulfport, MS 39502-1780 - FAX: 868-5800
