Dunkirk Approves $1-Per-Month Water Meter Maintenance Fee

From the Dunkirk City Council meeting on May 11, 2026

The Dunkirk City Council approved a new $1-per-month water meter maintenance fee for all water customers. The fee will fund replacement and upkeep of the city's new smart water meters and is expected to take effect in early 2027.

The city is installing 384 new smart meters by the end of 2026. Standard residential meters cost approximately $500 installed, including meter, antenna, and check valve. Large commercial meters cost up to $6,000. Residential meters carry a 20-year warranty, while larger meters have shorter warranties of approximately 10 years.

The new meters have already identified significant leaks, including one on Mount Auburn that had gone undetected for 15 years. Council considered tiered rates for larger meters but settled on a flat $1 fee for simplicity. The fee will appear as a separate line item on water bills. Approximately 13 customers have meters larger than the standard residential size.

Source: YouTube transcript — 5/11/26 Council Meeting and City of Dunkirk - City Council Meeting - 5.11.26

Some information may be inaccurate due to video audio quality.