JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – A project to replace water meters in Jamestown will hope to be completed by 2023.

Information on the old water meters was given to the city in 2020 by City Engineer Travis Dillman and Jamestown Water Department Superintendent Joe Rowell. Dillman informed the council that they have since “stalled out” on the project.

Dillman says moving into a full, new system would run the city around $2.8 million.

Dillman stated at this time, they want to get a vendor in place so they can begin installation through the next winter so they’ll be fully implemented in the fall of 2023.

Of the 5,371 total water meters in Jamestown on the system, roughly 2,341 or 43% are 50 to 100 years old.

Dillman says the automated system would create less staff hours to allow them to do other essential water department activities, instant read meters, and keep better accountability of overall water system usage.

Councilmember Dave Steele said he was in favor of moving forward with what they need to.