City of Atlanta

Department of Watershed Management

Press Release

November 16, 2009 – Over the weekend, Mayoral candidate Mary Norwood released a television ad which contains incorrect and misleading information about the City’s Automated Meter Reading (AMR) program. In the ad, Norwood states that the City has “150,000 water meter covers that don’t fit.” DWM Commissioner Robert Hunter states that this is absolutely untrue.

As part of the AMR program, DWM is replacing and upgrading approximately 150,000 meters. However, the number of meters reported with lids which do not fit properly represents significantly less than 1% of the meters. Presently there are 994 open work orders to replace meter lids, not 150,000 as Ms. Norwood claims. The AMR program is an innovative program which streamlines and automates the meter reading process, eliminates the need for manual reading, and provides a more efficient and accurate bill for the customer.

“It is difficult to believe that this represents anything other than either an intentional misrepresentation or a complete lack of factual knowledge,” said Commissioner Hunter. He added, “We are available 24/7 to City Council Members. If it’s important enough for a campaign ad then you would think it was important enough to actually fact check. Atlanta has some difficult years ahead as we continue to restore the City’s systems and recover with the economy. Every day this department must make informed decisions on how to best apply our limited resources for our customers. What I hear from those customers is that we have made exceptional improvements and that they want us to continue making responsible decisions based on factual analysis. They want honesty and transparency and we are meeting that expectation as we continue to improve.”

####

The Department of Watershed Management provides drinking water and wastewater collection and treatment services to more than 1 million people over a 650-square-mile area.

Press releases