Computers to replace meter readers in Niles

NILES — Meter readers here will be going the way of home milk deliveries and doctor house calls in 2009, but they will not lose their jobs.

The city will spend $5.5 million on a computerized system to remotely access all usage readouts from electricity and water meters, eliminating the necessity of monthly readings on the premises.

Billing office manager Thomas Telego says the entire information infrastructure has been replaced with this new system that includes software installation and the eventual replacement of 26,000 meters, which are included in the project's cost.

“It will take from 12 to 18 months before the system goes completely online,” Telego said. “We started the software installation two weeks ago and once that's completed, we'll begin replacing meters.”

Also underway is installation of a wireless mesh system throughout the city that will be linked with meter collection devices. Telego said the devices will receive data from the meters about usage, demand and possible tampering on an hourly basis. The data include warnings about leaks from the water meters and power spikes from the electricity readouts.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.