Most homes in Munster have two water meters - an indoor bronze meter that records the "official" water usage, and an outdoor plastic meter used for water billing purposes.  The outdoor meter allows water usage to be measured without entering a residence.  The problem with the plastic meter is that it slows down as it ages, that is, the reading on the outdoor meter is less than the reading on the indoor "official" meter.

 

From time to time, Water Department personnel synchronize the outdoor meter with the indoor meter.  Inevitably, charges for water in the month of synchronization are higher, sometimes drastically higher, than the normal monthly charge.  Understandably, residents become alarmed over the extraordinarily high utility bill, and, for some, the large amount due presents a genuine hardship.

 

If this happens to you, talk to us.  We will be happy to arrange for the true-up charges to be spread over six or twelve months so as to minimize the hardship.  Please telephone Susan at 836-6949 to make arrangements.

 

By the way, earlier this year the Town launched a three-year program to convert all water meters to a type that allows remote reading without reliance on the plastic meter.  You do not have to pay for the new meter, but when you receive your new meter there will be a synchronization of the readings.  With over 8,000 meters, we simply cannot convert all of them in one year.  We will contact you when we are ready to install your new meter.  Thank you for your understanding.