A small device is attached to your water meter.  It automatically reads your water meter and transmits this data to a computer-equipped vehicle, which is driven down the street.

Yes, all water meters will have to be equipped with automatic meter reading equipment (AMR).  Lack of AMR will require a meter reader to personally obtain the reading and the office to manually enter the data.  A fee may be added to any bill requiring such service.

There is no charge for the equipment or installation.

The Town is not increasing the water rate.  However, if your existing meter was not accurately measuring your water usage, you may see an increase in your water bill.

Life expectancy of the radio unit is 10 years.  The water meter has a life expectancy of greater than 20 years.

No.  The radio signal is very low powered and weaker than the signal from a cell phone.  The AMR radio signal will not disrupt any other radio signals.

AMR eliminates the need for a meter reader to visit your premises.  This increases privacy and convenience.

AMR reduces human error so that you receive accurate bills.

AMR eliminates, with rare exceptions, the need to estimate your bill.

National Metering Services has been hired to perform the installation work in Cortlandt.  All installers can be identified by their uniforms, photo identification and vehicle signage.

Beginning in March 2004, National Metering Services will start making appointments for areas in Cortlandt for the installation work.  It is expected that all installation work will be completed in 2004.  You should receive a postcard a month or two prior to beginning installations in your neighborhood.

Additional information on radio meters can be found on National Metering Services’ web site - www.nmsnj.com and you can call the Town Water Department at 734-1026.

Brown water is often the result of street construction or water main work being done in the area.  Any disturbance to the main, including the opening of a fire hydrant, can cause pipe sediment to shift, resulting in brown water.  The settling time of the main will vary, depending on the size of the water main.  In addition, brown water is commonly associated with plumbing corrosion problems inside buildings and from rusting hot water heaters.  If you have an ongoing problem with brown water, it is probably due to rusty pipes.   It is recommended that you run your cold water for 2-3 minutes, if it has not been used for an extensive period of time.  This will flush the line.  You can avoid wasting water by catching your "flush"  water in a container and using it to water plants or for other purposes.

Chlorine odors may be more noticeable when the weather is warmer. 
Chlorine is essential to kill organisms that may cause disease.  The following are ways you can remove the chlorine odor from you drinking water:

Fill a pitcher and let it stand in the refrigerator overnight. (This is the best way.)
Fill a glass or jar with water and let it stand in the sunlight for 30 minutes.
Pour water from one container to another about 10 minutes.
Heat the water to about 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Once you remove the chlorine, be sure to refrigerate the water to limit bacterial growth. 

Air becomes trapped in the water as a very large volume of pressurized water travels down the long distance of aqueducts to the City.  The water, as a result, can sometimes appear cloudy or milky.  This condition presents no threat to public health.  The cloudiness is temporary and clears quickly after the water is drawn from the tap and the excess air is released.

You do not need to buy bottled water for health reasons in New York City since our water meets all health based drinking water standards.  Also, bottled water costs up to 1,000 times more than the City's drinking water.

Hardness is a measure of calcium in the water.  The less calcium in the water ("soft" water), the easier it is to create lather and suds.  New York City's water is predominantly "soft."

The following streets receive their water through the Yorktown water system and therefore have fluoride: 


Baker Street 
Brandeis Avenue 
Cardoza Avenue 
Croton Avenue from Maple Ave. to Furnace Dock Rd.
Dares Lane 
East Hill Road ** top half
Hampton Place
Helena Avenue
High Street
Hood Place
Jacob Street
John Street
Kamp Street
Lakeland Avenue
Lexington Avenue from Route 6 to Townsend Road
Lexington Avenue from Route 6 to Mountainview Road
Lockwood Road from Yorktown line to Lockwood Estates
Lucs Lane
McArthur Boulevard
Mill Court
Mountainview Road off Croton Avenue
Mountainview Road off Red Mill Road
Nathalie Court
Parkway Colony all streets
Quarry Acres all streets
Red Mill Road from Lexington Ave. to Mountainview Road 
Regina Avenue
Route 6 from Lexington Ave. to Westchester Mall
Skyview Road
Southgate Drive
Stonefield Court 
Udell Court
Wheeler Drive
Woodland Boulevard