Long Beach Water Department Workshop August 3, 2026

The Long Beach Water Department held a workshop on August 3, 2026, to discuss plans for upgrading the town's water metering system and related infrastructure. Representatives from Utility Supply Company and Neptune presented on the implementation of an Automated Meter Integration (AMI) system, which involves installing a collector tower on the existing water tower to remotely read water meters. The current meters, many of which are 18 to 20 years old, tend to lose accuracy over time, leading to water loss. The proposed ultrasonic meters come with a 20-year accuracy guarantee and longer battery life, promising improved efficiency and reduced manual meter reading time. The workshop also covered pricing for meter replacements, anticipated annual software maintenance costs of about $6,000, and the potential need for cellular radios to ensure 100% meter read coverage. Additionally, the department discussed the urgent need to upgrade the booster station control panel due to obsolete parts and recent lightning damage. The water department plans to phase the meter replacements over three to five years, prioritizing the installation of the AMI tower first. Budget considerations and capital improvement planning will be presented to the council for approval as projects progress.