Software set to modernize Springdale Township water service

Springdale Township commissioners continue their push to modernize the township’s water distribution system with a recent software purchase.

The township bought software from Diversified Technologies of Bloomsburg that will run numerous functions in the water system.

It will be integrated with the remote-read water meters the township is in the process of substituting for the old manual-read meters. Remote-read meters can take meter readings by radio from a truck or directly at the township building via a radio tower and are expected to make meter reading a much faster process, requiring fewer man hours.

“This will take us from the antiquated system we’ve had for 25 years or so,” said Commissioner Ken Igo, who oversees the water department.

The contract with Diversified Technologies is open-ended, meaning either side can opt out of it at any time, according to Commissioners Chairman Rich Schwartz. For the first year, the township will pay $13,550 for the software and then $5,870 for every year after that.

The new software will aid in the collection and storage of water use data, billing and payments.

“We will finally be able to take credit cards for (payment of) water bills,” Igo said.

Schwartz said the township will install 600 remote-read meters. Only 70 have been ordered from the manufacturer, Neptune Technology Group of Alabama, and 25 have been installed, according to Schwartz.

The replacement program will cost the township $260,000 to $320,000 with financing spread over a 10-year period, according to township officials.

Water is supplied to the township from Fawn-Frazer Water Authority, Harmar Water Authority and Springdale and Cheswick boroughs at a cost of tens of thousands of dollars. But Commissioner Tim Basilone previously said that, of the 27 million to 34 million gallons of water the township buys, about half was going into the ground because of leaks in the system.

The township has replaced some water lines, and the new meters will help detect leaks in the system, the commissioners said.

“The savings are going to be in multiple hours of work in billing, and it will also save time in reading meters,” Igo said of the improvements.