Item No. 4.
TO:HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
BY:MATTHEW BAUMGARDNER, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS/CITY ENGINEER DATE:APRIL 14, 2026
SUBJECT:APPROVAL OF THE PURCHASE OF WATER METERS AND RADIO EQUIPMENT FOR
PUBLIC WORKS UTILITIES OPERATIONS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City Council will consider approving the purchase of water meters and associated radio equipment for the Department of Public Works Utilities Division uses. The City's stock of water meters and associated radio equipment is running low and needs replenishment to meet the Division's operational needs. The purchase of such meters will ensure continued compatibility with the City's existing meter reading equipment and antenna.
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council:
Approve a purchase order with Aquametric Sales Company, Inc. for water meters and associated radio equipment for a total not to exceed amount of $584,016.
BACKGROUND
The City has approximately 24,000 water meters in its distribution system. To increase operational efficiency, their conversion to remote read capabilities began ten years ago through a combination of in-house staff, development requirements, and various City water system and capital improvement projects.
Sensus water meters and associated radio equipment were previously field-tested against other brands of water meters based on their ease of installation, ease of programming and downloading water meter readings, reliability, and ability to communicate with a City-owned antenna vs. having to rent an antenna from a cellular service provider. The performance of the Sensus water meter product was found to be superior to the other brands and subsequently chosen and used by the City during this conversion process. These advanced water meters have the capability to electronically collect and transmit water usage data. The meters can also be programmed to collect water usage data in incremental time periods outside of the typical bi-monthly water billing period to track water conservation compliance and identify potential leaks, which will help the City comply with existing and future water conservation requirements. Sensus holds the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) license for the radio frequencies utilized by the City for its meter reading equipment and has a lease agreement with the City for the continued use of such frequencies for water meter reading purposes. Sensus water meters are necessary for the City to ensure continued compatibility with the City's existing meter reading equipment and antenna, which utilizes licensed Sensus radio frequencies. Aqua Metric Sales Co. is the sole factory authorized distributor of Sensus products in California.
ANALYSIS
The City typically replaces approximately 750 water meters on an annual basis that have reached the end of their useful life and are otherwise no longer working or are improperly registering usage information. The City’s stock of water meters is running at approximately a month’s supply and must be replenished to meet the current operational needs of the Utilities Division. To ensure continued compatibility with the City's existing meter reading equipment and antenna, which utilizes licensed Sensus radio frequencies, a quote (Attachment A) was obtained from Aquametric Sales Company, Inc. for the purchase of 5/8–inch to 4-inch Sensus water meters and associated radio reading and programming equipment to cover the City’s supply needs for approximately the next six months.
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the sole source purchase order with Aquametric Sales Company, Inc. for the purchase of the water meters and associated radio equipment necessary to meet the current water meter needs of the Utilities Division.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Efficiency and Adaptability
Quality of Life, Safety & Infrastructure
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of the recommended actions will result in an expenditure of $584,016 from Water Fund, Water Distribution Operating Account No. 51-4-3520-0260, and Water Customer Service Operating Account No. 51-4-3530-0260, as provided in the table below and as approved in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 operating budget.
Account No.Funding Source Amount
51-4-3520-0260
Approved FY 2025-26 Water Distribution Operating
Budget $480,000
51-4-3530-0260
Approved FY 2025-26 Water Customer Service
Operating Budget $400,000
Total Available Funding:$880,000
Attachments
Attachment A: Approve Purchase of Water Meter
Aqua-Metric Sales Company March 26, 2026
4050 Flat Rock Drive | Riverside, CA 92505
Phone: (951) 637-1400 | Facsimile: (951) 637-1500
Client:City of Downey
Attention:Joel Navarro
Address 9252 Stewart & Gray Rd.
City, State, Zip:Downey, CA 90241
Phone:(562)904-7202
Email:[email protected]
Line No.Item Quantity Unit Extended
1 5/8" x 3/4" iPERL 400 $149.61 $59,844.00
2 5/8" x 3/4" Metal iPERL 300 $192.78 $57,834.00
3 520M MXU SP 540 $178.25 $96,255.00
4 520M MXU DP 270 $221.37 $59,769.90
5 1" iPERL 30 $221.44 $6,643.20
6 1" Metal iPERL 30 $287.64 $8,629.20
7 1" ally 6 $557.00 $3,342.00
8 5/8" x 3/4" ally 5 $471.00 $2,355.00
9 1 1/2" Omni+ T2 60 $998.03 $59,881.80
10 1 1/2" Omni+ T2 MMP 30 $746.18 $22,385.40
11 2" Omni+ T2 60 $1,183.83 $71,029.80
12 2" Omni+ T2 MMP 30 $746.18 $22,385.40
13 2" Omni+ T2 Short 10" LL 25 $1,091.13 $27,278.25
14 3" Omni+ T2 1 $1,475.22 $1,475.22
15 3" Omni+ C2 1 $2,131.43 $2,131.43
16 3" Omni+ T2 MMP 2 $1,061.34 $2,122.68
17 3" Omni+ C2 MMP 1 $1,571.31 $1,571.31
18 4" Omni+ T2 MMP 4 $1,115.06 $4,460.24
19 5/8" E-Regsiter+12 $92.92 $1,115.04
20 1" E-Register+12 $92.92 $1,115.04
21 iPERL TR/PL Cable 24 $28.84 $692.16
22 CommandLink II 2 $1,030.00 $2,060.00
Subtotal $514,376.07
Tariff $14,145.34
This quote for the product and services named above is subject to the following terms:Sales Tax $55,494.75
1. All quotes are subject to the Aqua-Metric Terms of Sale.Total $584,016.16
2. Quote is valid for thirty days.
3. If modifications in materials, labor, or processing are required to meet new regulations, the pricing submitted herein is subject to immediate change.
4. Freight allowed on single Sensus Product orders exceeding $80,000.00.
5. Net Thirty Days to Pay
6. Returned product may be subject to a 25% restocking fee.
7. Sales Tax and/or Freight charges are not included.
8. TAXES AND FEES. All prices quoted are exclusive of federal taxes, state taxes, municipal taxes, tariffs, duties, and other government-imposed fees (collectively the “Taxes and Fees”) related to the procurement, installation, and delivery of materials and equipment. Customer shall be liable for all applicable Taxes and Fees imposed upon the Goods purchased. Taxes and Fees will be added to each applicable invoice and are the responsibility of the Customer. If Customer is exempt from sales tax, Customer is required to provide all applicable tax exemption documentation at the time of purchase. Any changes in Taxes and Fees may result in adjustments to the final invoice accordingly.
ATTACHMENT A