New Wireless Technology Alerts Worker of Major Water Leak
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MORRIS CHAPEL, Tenn. — New wireless technology helped a local disabled woman find a major water leak that would have cost her more than a $1,000 on her water bill, this week. Utility officials say the leak had been going on for weeks, and there was no way for her to notice. If it hadn’t been for the new system, it would have cost her even more on her next bill. The leak was discovered when an Adamsville utility worker was out reading meters with the department’s new wireless system. Immediately, the system detected a huge problem. Kathy Morris broke her leg in a horse riding accident last month and has been off her feet since then. She had no idea a pipe was leaking near the barn in her back yard. “He said ‘no ma’am, you have a leak’,” Morris said. “And I said ‘no I don’t; everything is running well. And he said ‘no ma’am, you have a major leak’.” As the utility worker drove by, the wireless meter reading system flashed red, letting him know Morris’ home had a leak. “I was losing about 300 gallons an hour, and he was able to tell me when the leak started,” Morris said. He said it actually started on December 23rd, my bill was about $1700, which was a little frightening to say the least.” Utility officials say some customers are still weary of the system, but hopes this case will make them more confident of the new technology. “The technology is great,” Morris said. “Any other time I’d probably have to wait for a bill to show up because they’d just come by and do a manual read.” City officials say the new system will also be able to pick up gas usage readings, and should be fully installed within the next few months.
