North Texas man sets records for speed reading. But no, it’s not books.

Joe Camunez is fast at his job. Imagine The Flash doing civil service work.

But instead of wearing a red uniform, Camunez dons everyday clothes for his speedy tasks along with an official City of Grapevine denim shirt.

He has been reading water meters at folks’ homes for more than three decades. For even an ordinary meter reader that would be a lot, but for someone with Camunez’s skills, it’s many, many more.

Camunez, who was promoted to senior meter reader in 2003, reads an average of 750 meters a day. Three times he has set and matched his record of 1,025 in one day.

To put Camunez’s daily feats into perspective, Grapevine employees read an average of 400 to 500 meters a day, a city official said.

On a typical day the 65-year-old Camunez averages 94 meters per hour, or more than a meter and a half every minute. Even he said he could never have envisioned being so fast — and accurate — at his job when he started in 1989.

“No, never in my lifetime,” he said with a laugh.

So how does he do it?

“Being as efficient as possible when setting up the order the meters will be read in, and taking care of the meter boxes throughout the city,” he said. “It really makes a difference when you put in the time to keep the meter boxes clean.”

Camunez reads meters three days each week. The other two days are devoted to helping maintain the city’s metering infrastructure — and assisting his co-workers with any help they might need.

Of course, when it comes to reading meters, Camunez is in a class by himself. Not that he ever needs help, but no one could because, well, they simply can’t keep up with him.

Camunez is originally from Manheim, Germany, where he was born on a military base. He came to Grapevine when he answered a newspaper ad; that was the start of his now legendary status in the city.

“There was an ad in the in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram in July 1989. It was a posting for a meter reader position for the City of Grapevine, and it paid $6.92 per hour,” he recalled.

At that time Grapevine had about 5,000 water meters, according to city officials. Today it has close to 15,000.

“Joe’s work ethic and his length of service to Grapevine has been highly valued. Of course, he is a humble man who would say he was just doing his job,” Grapevine City Manager Bruno Rumbelow said. “But what a great example he is to all of us about the importance of hard work, excellence, and commitment to your job.”

Making his accomplishments even more impressive is dealing with the unpredictable Texas weather. He also has encountered a few not-so-friendly pets (mostly dogs), and he even takes time to visit with folks as he makes his rounds.

“I’ve had a few run-ins with dogs throughout the years, and if a resident stops me with a question or issue I spend as much time as it takes to address their concerns,” he said.

And, of course, during his three-plus decades in the field he’s seen an interesting sight or two.

“Once I had to shut off someone’s water for not paying their water bill. The resident came out of the front door wearing a towel with shampoo in their hair,” he said with a chuckle. “Turns out they had been in the middle of their morning shower. Obviously they were not happy to see me.”

Camunez has no children who will follow in his footsteps. He is, however, getting married this summer, which he said takes precedence over pursuing a new record.

“No, I don’t have a goal before I retire. I just try and do my best every day,” he said humbly.