Armed with measuring devices and sunscreen, a group of Boy Scouts and volunteers, are helping the city gather field data from more than 175 water meters in town. The project is part of a proactive effort designed to conserve water and save the city money.

The project entails measuring landscape square footage that each water meter services – encompassing roughly 350 acres of right-of-way slope and median landscape. The information will help the city measure by square footage the actual water needs and usage of each area to ensure the right amount of water is applied throughout the year.

“With water becoming less and less available and more costly year after year, it is now more important than ever to closely manage this valuable resource,” said Public Services Operations Manager Jerry Hill.

The data will be used along with 175 new SMART controllers Public Services recently installed throughout the public right-of-way landscape through grant funding with the Metropolitan Water District.

The volunteer measuring efforts will continue throughout the calendar year. The city’s goal is to have all data collected, inputted and operational by January.