{"id":4650,"date":"2015-06-08T11:01:36","date_gmt":"2015-06-08T15:01:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/assuredautomation.com\/news-and-training\/?p=4650"},"modified":"2023-02-21T10:22:34","modified_gmt":"2023-02-21T15:22:34","slug":"can-plastic-water-meters-foil-thieves","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/assuredautomation.com\/news-and-training\/can-plastic-water-meters-foil-thieves\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Plastic Water Meters Foil Thieves?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Plastic Water Meters Good Alternative to Brass Meters Prone To Theft<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The price of scrap metal is on the rise and a scary trend is being seen throughout the US. Individuals are ransacking businesses and vacant homes stealing copper and brass fixtures to sell for scrap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After a 2012 theft of brass water meters valued at $75,000, District General Manager Doug Johnsen of Valley Center, CA commented, \u201cHigh prices on copper and brass are sparking a local crime spree as would-be metal merchants rip off water meters and backflow devices.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is not an isolated incidence, in April of this year an investigator at a scrap yard in San Antonio, TX discovered the sale of a large number of new and used brass water meters and meter parts. Upon closer inspection it was determined that a couple had been stealing meters from the San Antonio Water System over a period of 8 years and was selling them as scrap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"plastic<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

April 1, 2015 News 4 San Antonio- A husband and wife have been arrested in connection with a massive theft of brass parts from the San Antonio Water System. Investigators say 34-year-old Albino Ortiz was working for SAWS and had access to brass water meters and other brass parts when he and his wife apparently sold the parts to a metal recycler. A state investigator says Ortiz\u2019s wife, Maria, sold more than 10,000 pounds of brass meters.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Due to incidences like these and new lead free laws for drinking water, plastic water meter <\/a>sales have seen a big boost. According to Mike Farrell, VP Sales Assured Automation<\/a>, he\u2019s seen a huge increase in the number of sales and inquiries of the Assured Automation WM-PC plastic water meter<\/a> series.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The WM-PC  is constructed of a fiber reinforced polymer material that doesn\u2019t have scrap value, but does make for a durable AND economical option for water meter users. This meter has proven itself to be as effective as its brass counterparts.~ Mike Farrell<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Plastic<\/a>
WM-PC Plastic Water Meter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The WM-PC impeller style water meter is offered in sizes from \u00bd\u201d to 1 \u00bd\u201d NPT and is designed to meet Federal regulations requiring all products coming in contact with potable water be lead free and is also designed to meet AWWA C708 standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typical uses include metering and sub-metering applications in residential and commercial environments. A pulse output is available which would allow data to be read at a remote location, a great feature when the meter is placed in a tight or inaccessible area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The WM-PC water meter<\/a> is an inexpensive option for water meter users when you consider the problems associated with the theft of a  brass meter; the water damage to your property and the expense of replacing and protecting a new meter. The WM-PC just may be the most economical solution to an unforeseen problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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New Lead Free Water Meter-WM-PC Series Economy Plastic Water Meter Ideal for Metering and Sub-Metering<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Garden Hose Water Meters- Mechanical and Digital Flow Meters for Use with a Garden Hose-VIDEO<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n