Title
Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project Update - Citywide
Description
This report provides the Transportation, Infrastructure, and Planning Subcommittee with an update on the Water Services Department’s transition from Automatic Meter Reading system to Advanced Metering Infrastructure.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION.
Report
Summary
The Water Services Department (WSD) currently bills about 465,000 accounts monthly using Automatic Meter Reading (AMR), which collects meter data as a reader drives a vehicle past each meter citywide. As AMR equipment ages, failed reads and manual work orders are rising, so to improve accuracy and reliability, WSD is transitioning to Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI).
AMI replaces drive-by readings with two-way secure communication over existing cellular networks. This allows for near real-time data access, remote meter management, and greater water system reliability.
Compared with AMR, AMI will significantly improve our ability to identify leaks or abnormal usage and substantially provide more detailed usage information. With near real time alerts and data collection, staff can respond more quickly, make better informed decisions, and reduce the time and labor required for traditional meter reading. AMI data will help identify trends in water use that directly support WSD's long-term planning and capital improvement decisions.
At the completion of the project, an online portal will launch and give customers access to new tools and insights such as daily water use tracking, and clearer visibility into consumption patterns. These features empower customers to make informed decisions that reduce water use, manage monthly costs, and identify potential leaks early, saving both water and money.
The transition from AMR to AMI is expected to take up to six years. The implementation schedule calls for replacing between 77,000 and 93,000 cellular endpoint transmitters (ERTs) each year, with the estimated annual cost ranging from $20-24 million for the cellular ERTs units. These costs include installation and network related operating charges, but does not include costs to change out meters that may be near their end of life cycle.
Unlike the original AMR deployment, which progressed geographically from south to north and created uneven workload pressures across service yards, the AMI rollout will occur simultaneously in all service areas based on existing read routes. This approach balances workloads more evenly, reduces strain on individual yards, and ensures more consistent availability of AMI enabled meters across the city once the customer portal becomes active.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Ginger Spencer and the Water Services Department.