Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the Department of Water Management (DWM) today announced that the 50,000th water meter has been installed this week since the start of the MeterSave in 2009. On average, MeterSave customers are saving 50 percent on their water bills.

“Our successful MeterSave program has hit a significant installation milestone this week, and I’m pleased to see DWM is progressing ahead of schedule with installations this year,” said Mayor Emanuel. “In addition to saving money from reduced water bills, residents in metered households are more likely to conserve water since they only pay for the water they use.”

Chicago’s MeterSave program, which installs residential water meters free of charge, is designed to promote water conservation. To date this year, 10,000 water meters have been installed, putting the department ahead of schedule to reach their installation goal of 15,000 meters for the year. In 2013, meters were installed in 16,393 households – exceeding DWM’s installation goal by 37 percent.

“More and more residents are participating in the MeterSave program each year, which means an increasing number of people are talking to their neighbors about the substantial savings that can be achieved,” said DWM Commissioner Thomas H. Powers, P.E. “Word of mouth advertising has been the key to the program’s success.”

Non-metered customers pay in advance for unlimited access to drinking water. Actual use tends to be well below non-metered assessments; customers with meters pay for only the water they consume.

Homeowners participating in MeterSave are eligible for a seven-year guarantee that their home water bill will be no higher than it would have if the meter had not been installed. The program also offers incentives like rain barrels, and indoor or outdoor conservation kits. For more information or to register and make an appointment online, Chicago residents can call 3-1-1 or visit www.metersave.org.

###