City Hall, 160 Lake Street North, Big Lake, MN 55309

WATER METER REPLACEMENT PROGRAM

Ensuring Clean, Safe Drinking Water and Regulatory Compliance is Big Lake's top priority.

The city of Big Lake is working with technicians from HydroCorp to perform the community-wide replacement program of all current water meters and reading devices. The goal of the meter replacement program is to update the community’s water meter infrastructure. This replacement program will help to ensure continuing accuracy and functional operation of the meter reading system.

The HydroCorp technician will be identifiable with a company shirt and identification badge. Appointments for the meter installation MUST BE SCHEDULED through the approved third-party contractor, HydroCorp, who specializes in community-wide installation programs. Customers must ensure a fully operable shut off valve on inlet city side prior to the appointment. However, it is recommended that both valves are operational. If the inlet valve leaks or fails during the meter replacement, it is the property owner’s responsibility to replace or repair the valve. If it is found to be unsafe to exchange the meter due to accessibility or because of obvious deterioration of the valve, the meter exchange will have to be rescheduled after the property owner has made the necessary repairs. Customers may replace/repair the valve themselves or contract a plumber of their choosing.

To schedule your appointment, you will need to have your reference code (provided to you via HydroCorp’s mailing). Please visit the link below or call a HydroCorp customer service representative at 800-315-4305 Monday-Friday 7 am-5 pm CST, within seven days of receiving the notice.

Appointments are available Monday through Thursday 8 am-6 pm. Appointments are scheduled in 4-hour windows, with a two hour window from 4 pm through 6 pm.

To learn more about the water meter project from the City of Big Lake click on this link, www.biglakemn.org, to go to the City’s webpage, then click on News and Trending Topics.

Important Facts

What to expect When upgrading your water meter

Additional Information

Check Your Valve(s): This is an appropriate time to update old shutoffs.

It’s possible that, during meter replacement, an old or damaged water shutoff valve can break. If this occurs, repairs are the homeowner’s responsibility, not the contractor’s.

Prior to scheduling the installation of your new meter, it is highly recommended that property owners check their existing shutoff valve for proper operation. If the valve is not functioning properly, repairs must be made prior to the installation.

Gate valves (left) are more likely to break during shutoff: Consider updating. Lever-handled ball-valves (right) are less likely to break after prolonged disuse.

Information Regarding The Water Meter Replacement

The property owner or a designated representative 18 years of age or older is required to be present.
Please keep pets contained during installation.
Make sure the water meter is unobstructed and accessible. The technician will need to operate the water shut-off valve(s) and will need to remove and replace the meter with both hands.
If HydroCorp technicians determine that the water meter cannot be replaced during the appointment because of other problems such as (a) existing leaks, (b) direct connections with no coupling, (c) imminent failure of deteriorated piping, (d) no accessibility because of obstruction by hot water heater or other object, or (e) any other reason, the meter replacement will have to be rescheduled after the problem has been corrected.