The city could embark on a smart management system to replace all water meters in the city by later next year.

The meters work via wireless technology to collect and transmit water usage data to a central base station and remote host.

Already, some 2,000 of the advanced meters are in place, but the remaining 7,569 meters could be replaced and upgraded with the new technology. The project would cost $2.6 million and would be funded via general obligation bonds.

If approved by the City Counicl, the installation would be carried out next year, from March to October.

Jason Bradshaw, Public Works utility manager, said they if the meters are put in place, they would provide customers and the city-owned water entity, El Paso Water Co., “a great benefit from the get-go.”

“The big advantage is they can monitor it down to the hour,” he said. Thus, leaks can be quickly detected. “This will really catch them,” he said.

(Read more: Derby News | derbyinformer.com)