Houston city council unanimously approved an additional $5. 5 million Wednesday for the city's water meter system - a project that has been years in the making and one that hits close to home for hundreds of thousands of Houston water customers.

The funds will come from the Water and Sewer System Consolidated Construction Fund and go toward the city's existing contract with Sensus USA, Inc. for the installation of an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system.

The additional appropriation brings the total contract value to $43. 5 million dollars.