The City of Melbourne Public Works staff have been busy replacing old meter registers with new, more advanced, digital units since 2023 after the lithium batteries were getting to the end of their 10-year life span.

A register attaches to the top of the meter. They act much like the odometer of a car, which shows the total mileage the car has traveled. Similarly, a water register keeps a running total of water that has passed through the meter, providing a cumulative total of water consumption.

The old telemetry units sent meter-reading data to the meter services trucks as they drove by.  The new units contain SIM cards that communicate with cell towers similar to how a cell phone’s texting feature does, so staff no longer have to drive around to pick up the register's signal data.

About 40,000 out of 60,000 registers have been replaced. It's estimated that replacements will take up to 5 more months to complete. 

John Precious, one of the utilities technicians out replacing meter registers says, "Residents can help make sure their meters are accessible (not grown over with grass, shrubs or weeds or not putting items on the meter box like landscape pavers, flowerpots or statues) and clean out the meter box so the shut off valve and meter registers aren’t buried." 

While working in the field, staff have come across a range of wildlife and environmental elements. Among the more interesting finds are harmless snakes seeking shelter, such as the Red Rat Snake (shown in the photo to the left) and the Ring-necked Snake. Staff have also encountered fire ants, bees, lizards, exposed roots, and even garbage during their work.

Save the date on your calendar for the popular 2026 Florida Friendly Landscaping Seminar! This free event, geared towards adults, will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Melbourne Auditorium from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Doors open at 8:15 a.m. There will be a plant sale, garden and landscape-related vendors, four landscaping presentations and free coffee. Topics will range from bats and pollinators to container gardening and an update on the Indian River Lagoon. This is a sustainable event. Please bring a reusable bottle for water and coffee. All food, plates and silverware will be composted by Eaton Worms.

Registration is open but not required. More information will follow in future newsletters and on the City's website and social media as planning and details get finalized.

The 3 R's: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Left on land, leaves decompose, feeding your plants and enriching your soil. Not only that, they provide habitat for butterflies, native bees, fireflies and more.

If you want to see more nature in your yard, then you’ll want to give them a place to live. Fallen leaves are one of the most important habitats in your yard.

• Bumblebees burrow into them.
• Butterfly and moth caterpillars cocoon inside them.
• Fireflies hide and lay eggs beneath them.
• Toads tuck into the damp leaf layer for shelter and moisture.
• Songbirds like robins and thrushes forage through them for insects and larvae to eat.

Every fallen leaf helps keep your yard alive. It’s not just about insects. Those same leaves return nutrients to your soil, retain moisture and feed your trees, completing a natural cycle that modern cleanup often interrupts.

However, when large amounts of leaves are washed off our lawns, down our driveways, into storm drains, and into our water bodies - they release phosphorus and nitrogen into our water, contributing to water pollution. 

So, what can you do to prevent pollution, keep a tidy yard, and support wildlife?

• Keep edges tidy along sidewalks, driveways, and paths. A clean border instantly reads as maintained.
• Avoid large loose piles in open areas or lawns; instead, spread or rake them neatly into flower beds or under trees (not too close to the trunk).
• Create clear borders with a mowed strip, edging, or stone line to signal intention.
• Never rake or blow leaves into streets, gutters, or storm drains. Instead, if you see leaves on a storm drain next to your yard, please clean them up or call the city or county public works.
• A ring of leaves away from the trunk starts a soft landing for insects that fall from the tree.
• Add a sign telling neighbors that you're intentionally helping nature. It shifts perception from neglect to purpose and can even inspire curiosity and conversation.
• If you must get rid of the leaves, add them to your compost but know that shredded or turned leaves won’t protect insects already living inside them. It’s still a win for soil health, just less so for biodiversity.
• If you have a yard service, make sure they are disposing of leaves and yard debris responsibly. All yard waste containers set out for pickup must be placed at least 5 feet away from storm drains.

If you remember nothing else: keep it neat at the edges, off the street, and close to your trees. That simple formula satisfies most codes and still protects the ecosystem right outside your door.