In 2016, the Public Works Department completed an Intelligent Meter Conversion Feasibility Study and a Water Loss Audit. The audit identified a number of ways the City can improve accountability. One of the recommendations was to reinstate the Meter Replacement program. The audit estimates the City is losing 117 million gallons of water each year because of meter inaccuracies. This loss is responsible for approximately $684,000.00 in lost revenue. The AMI feasibility study confirmed that proactive meter replacement would not directly affect long-term AMI decisions.

As a result of these studies, the Department of Public Works initiated the Small Water Meter Replacement Program, the 2 Inch Meter Testing Program, the 2 Inch Meter Repair Program, and the Large Meter Testing Program. The Large Meter Testing Program began in 2019; the City contracted Southern Flowmeter, Inc. to conduct the testing of all large water meters 3 inches and above within the City; the quantity totaled approximately 161 meters, not including fire lines, surface water, and transit meters.

The meters were field-tested against AWWA accuracy, and a recommended repair log was created for those that failed to meet it. The testing gave the City results in confluence with the Water Loss Audit. Large Meters contributed to a significant loss of water and revenue. The data received from the contractor was processed and showed a significant number of meters that required repairs to registers, measuring assemblies, meter vaults, valves/bypasses, and replacement of obsolete/untestable meters. 

The contractor, Southern Flowmeter, Inc., has completed the testing of all required meters and organized a comprehensive report given to the City of Sugar Land. Out of this report, approximately 55 large meters needed repair. In coordination with the City, Southern Flowmeter repaired about half of the meters using the FY20 contract, leaving approximately 27 meters that need repair.

In November 4, 2020, the City advertised for bids from area contractors to complete the work outlined above. The City received two bids which were opened on November 19, 2020. The bids were from Accurate Meter & Backflow, and Vanguard Utility. After reviewing the submittals, staff determined that the low bidder is Accurate Meter & Backflow, LLC.  The repair costs submitted are comparable to the estimated costs included in the FY21 budget through a carry-over from FY20.

The Public Works Department recommends that the City Council authorize the execution of a contract between the City of Sugar Land and Accurate Meter & Backflow, LLC. in the amount of $99,465.00 for the maintenance of City of Sugar Land Large Water Meters. This contract is for a one-year term.