Sensus water meter reader cost upgrade#

AMI-enabled meters are used by electric, gas, and water utilities and allow two-way communications between the utility and the meter and build a much more data-rich environment for utilities and their customers. Less than 20 years after the birth of AMR, metering technology was evolving quickly and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) entered the scene. started phasing in AMR, and in the mid-2000s the Water Authority had begun deploying drive-by AMR technology for new water customers and old meter replacements. In the mid-to-late 1980s water utilities across the U.S. Automatic meter reading (AMR) technology simplifies the logistics considerably: an AMR-equipped meter transmits its water usage reading electronically when the reader walks or drives past with a remote reading device. If a userвЂ™s meter is inaccessible when the reader visits, the utility bill reflects estimated water use. A short introduction to water metersД¬onventional water meters are read manually by a meter reader who must visit each metered establishment to record the water usage displayed on the dial of the meter ahead of the billing cycle.

Given the expense and long life of water infrastructure, the Water Authority faced a multimillion-dollar question with operational implications for the next several decades, as well as the opportunity for additional benefits that might or might not lead to a positive return on investment over time. Upgrading to AMI would be no minor investment.

Sensus water meter reader cost upgrade#

Since metering technology had substantially advanced in the prior two decades, the Water Authority now faced a decision: replace their meters with conventional meters, expand their current meter replacement program using automatic meter reading (AMR) technology, or upgrade their meters and network system to advanced metering infrastructure (AMI).

The Water AuthorityвЂ™s older meters were due for replacement. Because accuracy declines and maintenance issues increase as meters age, older meters may adversely impact revenue. To upgrade or not to upgrade? That is the questionДЄround 2010, the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority (Water Authority) faced a problem familiar to most utilities: many of its water meters were past or approaching their 20-year life expectancy.