The Distribution Department is responsible for maintaining the Authority's extensive distribution system, which includes 2,173 miles of pipeline, 14,308 hydrants, 21,940 valves and numerous appurtenances. The Authority's system-wide preventive maintenance program has continued to improve the reliability of the system and work productivity.

Last year, line maintenance crews completed 1,346 waterline, valve and hydrant repairs and performed 11,276 work orders.

Authority mechanics efficiently handled 1,372 preventive maintenance orders and repairs to the Authority fleet of 130 vehicles and construction equipment.

The meter shop continued to install remote read meters that can be read with a hand held computer from outside a home or business. Currently, the Authority has 136,967 residential and commercial meters and 740 large commercial meters in service. More than 60 percent of residential meters have been changed to remote read, and 80 percent of large commercial meters have been changed to more accurate, current production meters.

The remote meter reading program has reduced the hours needed to determine service volume and has resulted in greater customer satisfaction.

Crews work on a 54-inch main break behind the Authority's Ball Pump Station in the Town of Amherst. The break was one of the largest in the Authority's history and was repaired without any interruption in service.