Wellman replacing water meters citywide

The city of Wellman plans to spend money from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) on water meter replacements for the entire city, on both residential and commercial properties.

“This project will benefit the city as well as residents of the city,” City Administrator Kelly Litwiller said in an email. “Residents will be able to monitor their usage on a daily basis if they choose to. The city will also be able to do the same and not have to wait until end of month when meters are read. This will save on loss of water and additional cost to (the) city … residents will also know earlier of any leak that could cause additional expenses to their utility bill.”

Litwiller said the council settled on the project last month as a solution where the money was needed the most.

“We have been working on our water loss throughout the system and now that funds have come available we feel this will get the city ahead on lost revenues,” she said.

Of the $207,000 Wellman expects to receive in ARPA funds, Litwiller said the water meter replacements would total around $180,000. She did not say where the leftover money would be spent.

The timeline is a little shaky, as water meter installation relies on lining up schedules with residents. Fortunately, Litwiller said it would not disrupt water flow to houses.

“We have already started the project and project it will take a few months for testing the first 18 we have in the system installed,” she said. “Once the testing is completed and we know things are running properly, we will begin the installation process of all meters and will hopefully be done in six months … the city will need to work with residents in the evenings and possible weekends to get this completed.”