Jason Unrau
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Apr 02/04) - If all goes according to plan, come next year Inuvik's hardy bunch of meter readers will no longer have to brave the elements or run the gauntlet of dogs to read water meters.

Public works employee Sammy Lennie gets ready to read the meter at a home on Wolverine Rd. Lennie says that while the dogs at this address are relatively friendly, many are not. - Jason Unrau/NNSL photo

In a $30,000 pilot project, the town will outfit 50 water meters this summer with special radio equipment that will allow readings to be taken from remote equipment.

"Eventually, this system will reduce the six man-hour days it takes each month to read all the meters to just three hours," said town manager Jerry Veltman.

In addition to saving time, the new system will save public works staff the hassle of reading meters in the bitter cold, and dodging residents' dogs who often don't give such a warm welcome.

"When the snow piles up it's hard to even find the meter, and as for the dogs, well sometimes they're tied up right where we need to be," said public works employee Sammy Lennie.

Dogs and snow aside, the equipment currently being used freezes up after a few reads and has to be warmed, adding to the time it takes to get the job done.

While meter readings are generally completed every 30 days, unplanned maintenance issues can and often disrupt this schedule.

"The big factor is getting consistent meter readings every 30 days," said Veltman of the planned system upgrade.

After the first 50 meters have been equipped, the town plans to test the system over the course of next winter to "see how well it holds up through the cold."

Veltman estimates the $250,000 cost to outfit all the town's meters will pay for itself over the course of 10-12 years.