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A remote water meter reading device is a special meter that is wired to a probe located on the outside of the building. If your water meter is located inside the building, your water bills may be estimated because no one is available to allow the meter reader access.  After 12 consecutive estimates, you need to make arrangements for an actual water meter reading.  With a remote water meter reading device, you will never again have to make an actual water meter reading appointment because meter readers will be able to take the readings from outside the building.

There is no cost to the customer to install a remote water meter reading device.  You can avoid time away from work for future meter readings.  In addition, by having actual readings taken of your water consumption, you will not have to worry about water bill inaccuracies due to estimates of your water usage.

The installation process takes about an hour and a half from start to finish.  Since the installation process involves changing your inside water meter, you must schedule an appointment in order to allow Water Department personnel to access the inside of the building.

In some older buildings, we occasionally find that water meters have been installed without the required meter couplings on the inlet and outlet sides of the water meter.  These couplings are required in order for Water Department personnel to replace the meter and ultimately install the remote reading device.  About one in every 10 remote installations require the property owner to first hire a plumber to have the proper couplings installed.  Once couplings are installed, the installation process can be completed.  To help you determine whether or not you have the required couplings on your plumbing, below is a picture of one style of coupling:

To schedule the installation of a remote water meter reading device, contact the Kirkwood Water Department at (314) 984-5936.  Appointments are available Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, in time slots, either between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., or between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.  More specific appointment times cannot be made.  An individual who is at least 16 years of age will need to be available to allow Water Department personnel access to the inside of the building.  The individual who gives access to the inside of the building needs to remain in the building for the duration of the installation.