Hartford City Council Approves $43,000 Automated Water Meter System

From the Hartford City City Council meeting on June 1, 2026

Hartford City Council unanimously approved a $43,000 automated meter infrastructure system from Neptune/Utility Supply Company that will replace the city's current drive-by monthly meter reading process.

The system installs a radio antenna on the city's central water tower to automatically collect water meter reads around the clock. Scott Dunlap of Utility Supply Company told council the central tower will reach 96% of meters for at least daily reads. The system serves approximately 2,500 utility customers.

The $43,000 cost covers $23,000 in equipment and $18,000 in installation. The annual software maintenance fee will increase from approximately $4,000 to $6,000. There is no monthly service fee.

The upgrade enables real-time leak detection — a significant improvement over the city's current two-month billing lag. Hartford City bills utility customers two months in arrears, a holdover from when meters were read by hand. Council members acknowledged the lag is outdated but noted it would be difficult to change because customers would have to double-pay to catch up.

Installation can be completed within one billing cycle, with staff training about two weeks afterward.

Source: Meeting transcript — Hartford City - City Council Meeting - June 1, 2026

Some information may be inaccurate due to video audio quality.