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Photograph: William Jarrell, III (Photograph by Bobby Ardoin.)

BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer

The improved accuracy provided by a modernized water metering system will probably increase the bills for most municipal customers in Opelousas, according to city engineer William Jarrell III.

Once installed the new meters will probably help correct the errors experienced by many of the old meters which in some cases may not have been working properly or had become inoperable,, Jarrell said.

“I think that (customers) will see some increases, although the work being done in connection with the meters will be done at no charge. In some cases households have been underpaying for their water usage every month. Now that the new meters are going to be more accurate, some of the bills will be going up,” Jarrell explained.

In a letter addressed to city customers this week, Opelousas Mayor Julius Alsandor said that those receiving their monthly water bills will have their usage information sent wirelessly to the billing department.

Alsandor added that the “smart meters” will also improve meter reading and accuracy.

The meter upgrades Alsandor indicated in the letter, will be performed by Vanguard, a company and contractor authorized by the city.

Vanguard, Alsandor said, will also notify customers by mail of when the company representatives plan to visit their area. The notification process will give customers a chance to know when their meter upgrades will be performed, said Alsandor.

Jarrell said the meter installation may also be accompanied by service or water line replacements.

Opelousas Mayor Julius Alsandor (Photograph by Bobbie Ardoin.)