A diagram from CMU shows the part that will be replaced. (Charlotte Mecklenburg Utilities)

Updated Tuesday, Nov. 29
The Charlotte City Council on Monday night approved a contract to replace 68,000 potentially faulty wireless electronic transmitters on water meters across the county.

The utility said it had negotiated a settlement with the manufacturer, Itron, which is paying to replace the transmitters. The devices send water-usage data by radio signals from water meters to meter-reading trucks. Malfunctioning transmitters can transmit usage figures that are too low or too high, CMU said an announcement Monday morning. Read the full story

Jim Duke brought a water meter with him to the Cornelius Town Board meeting Monday night. The county is testing new meters at the Peninsula and in Davidson's River Run neighborhood.

By CHRISTINA RITCHIE ROGERS
DavidsonNews.net

CORNELIUS – Peninsula Homeowners Association president Jim Duke said Monday that Charlotte Mecklenburg Utilities’ officials have heard area residents’ pleas for better service and improvements in the way the utility measures water use. Speaking at a Cornelius Town Board meeting, Mr. Duke said, “They’re listening, they’re making changes.”

He said the utility plans to compare two devices – one being tested in the River Run neighborhood and one in the Peninsula neighborhood – to see which system is most accurate. Read the full story

Commissioner Laurie Venzon answers a question during Tuesday's meeting, as Mayor John Woods (left) and commissioner Brian Jenest listen. (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Davidson commissioners are continuing to discuss the coming year’s budget, and after a meeting with citizens at River Run Country Club Tuesday night, it’s clear they haven’t settled yet on where to set the property tax rate in the fiscal year beginning July 1. Meanwhile, Town Manager Leamon Brice said the town is considering reducing two fees that increased last year: storm water fees and the new trash pickup charge. Read the full story

A chart presented to the city council shows rates rising (left side) for 94% of users, and falling for those who use more water (right). Click image to download a presentation given to the council.

The Charlotte City Council on Monday approved Charlotte Mecklenburg Utilities’ proposed overhaul of local water and sewer rates. The vote raises rates for most residential water customers, and lowers them for the biggest users.

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As it continues a study of water and sewer rate structures, Charlotte Mecklenburg Utilities is planning another round of public meetings over the next two weeks. The meetings will give CMU customers a chance to learn about the new rates that CMU will propose to the Charlotte City Council in 2011, and to suggest changes to CMU’s proposal for new rates.

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At meetings with Charlotte City Council and north Meck mayors, CMU officials pledge improvements, including an end to shutoffs.

By ALEX GREGOR
DavidsonNews.net

After numerous public meetings and a lengthy review of water metering and billing, Charlotte Mecklenburg Utilities says it’s committed to providing better service. An action plan presented to the Charlotte City Council last week proposes improvements ranging from adopting new metering equipment to adding staff to evaluate suspect bills.

The utility has been under scrutiny for months because of complaints about erratic and inaccurate water bills. For some water customers, including those whose water has been shut off for nonpayment, the changes can’t come soon enough.

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Charlotte Mecklenburg Utilities has appointed a Rate Study Stakeholder Advisory Group and is planning a series of public meetings beginning this month as it studies alternatives to the current water and sewer rate structure.

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Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities on Wednesday will begin testing 9,000 residential water meters in the city and county to “verify how meter equipment is functioning in the field.” Read the full story