CAMDEN, N.J., Sept. 26, 2001 — Camden Water and The City of Camden announced today that the second phase of its automatic water meter installation program is now underway. More than 4000 of Camden Water's residential customers have already received new state-of-the-art automatic water meters, free of charge.
"Camden Water and Len Parker Associates have resumed the meter installation program," said Rick Pfleiderer, senior project manager, Camden Water." Prior to instillation, residents will be notified with a door hanger-type flyer. All residents are asked to clear a path to the existing water meter and clean a three-foot area in front of the existing water meter prior to installation of the meter."
Customers are welcome to call 800-334-9781 to obtain additional information. Meter replacements will be performed on weekdays and weekends between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
According to Pfleiderer, meter installers will be wearing uniforms with a "Len Parker Associates Meter Installer" insignia. All installers will carry photo identification badges and will be driving vehicles clearly marked with "Len Parker Associates-Camden Water Meter Installer." Residents questioning a Meter Installer's identification can call the Camden City police for verification (856-757-7400).
Under City Ordinance 564-19, residents are required by law to provide Camden Water with access to the water meter.
The new meters allow for more accurate recordings of customer's water usage and do not require on-site meter readings. The new meters feature an Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) system allowing Camden Water to read meters remotely without entering homes or businesses. The AMR systems will use low-powered radios to transmit the data to specially equipped Camden Water vehicles. Because the system works remotely, residents will no longer have to be home at the time of the meter read.
The meters — which are being installed free-of-charge to customers — were purchased by the City of Camden Department of Utilities with funds from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey Environmental Infrastructure Trust. Camden Water, the private company which operates the city-owned water system, began installing the meters on May 29, 2001 as part of its contract with the City.
Camden Water is a subsidiary of Somerville-based U.S. Water LLC, a private operations contractor serving customers in NJ, PA, CT, MA, and NC.
