MAUMELLE, Ark. — As we head into winter, you'll likely turn to your utility equipment to ensure it's in working order. Summit Utilities customers have a new way to make sure those meters are accurate.
"Meter is a mechanical part, and so the more you use it, the more wear and tear it has on it," Summit Utilities Director of Measurement Micah Edwards said.
The Maumelle Meter Shop for Summit is a place to restore, repair and upgrade utility meters in the area. Edwards knows their job in this shop isn't just needed; it's a huge part of gaining trust.
"The meters that are in the field, even during the winter, during our peak usage time, that they are accurate," Edwards said. "I'm a rate bank paying customer myself, right? So, we want that transaction to be as fair and equal as possible. I want what I use in my house to be measured accurately so that it can be billed accurately."
That was a concern for Central Arkansans over the past few years. For months, we've reported on customers seeing bills much higher than they'd like.
An Arkansas Public Service Commission ruling found Summit was just and reasonable in their gas pricing earlier this year, but Edwards knows it takes time for trust to return.
It's why this facility is more important than ever.
"It further gives us the date and the backing to show that these meters are accurate [and] performing at the level they should," Edwards said. "It further eliminates just one more piece of the puzzle."
Although the new meter shop won't entirely prevent technical errors, Edwards said having a space like this provides a little peace of mind.
"We got third-party vendors that are great," Edwards said. "There's a peace of mind of doing it yourself and having that control."
Summit Utilities said that over 98% of their bills have been accurate in the past few months. If anything ever looks wrong on your bill, or you have any questions, they encourage you to call them.