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Automated Water Metering System
The Public Utilities Department is committed to continuously evaluating public infrastructure, providing necessary resources for ongoing maintenance, and planning for future infrastructure needs to maintain service delivery. Evaluation of existing water meter infrastructure indicates a need to improve the accuracy and reliability of our water meter reading system through Automated Meter Infrastructure (AMI). This project will also help solidify the succession planning of staff in these current roles and allow them to be re-allocated to the crew, increasing our ability to respond to all of our other infrastructure needs.
Start Date: The Commission discussed the project at a Work Session on May 31, 2023
Completion Date: Completion anticipated by the end of 2024
Cost: The cost to convert all meters to the automated system is $2,331,578.14, with an ongoing operation and maintenance expense of $41,698.08 annually
October 2022 - The Public Utilities Department began looking at an alternative means to read water meters in order to enhance accuracy, aid in succession planning, convert to a single billing cycle, and address an outdated system.
May 31, 2023 - The City Commission discussed the project at their Work Session.
July 2023 - The Public Utilities Department solicited proposals for the automated metering system. Vendors had until July 28 to submit a proposal for consideration.
September 2023 - The Public Utilities Department evaluated four proposals for the automated metering system, ranging from $2.56 million to $2.86 million. The City also is beginning plans to move to one billing cycle for utilities beginning Dec. 15, 2023.
Oct. 20, 2023 - The Public Utilities Department recommends implementing an automated system from Core and Main for a cost of approximately $2.48 million, as well as $42,000 a year in operational expenses.
Nov. 6, 2023 - The City Commission approved the bid from Core and Main for the installation of the system.
Nov. 13, 2023 - The City mailed a postcard notifying water customers of the change from two to one billing cycle beginning in December.
Nov. 20, 2023 - The City Commission authorized the sale of General Obligation Temporary Notes, Series 2023-1 to finance the automated meter infrastructure for the public water supply system for $2.4 million. Payments will be approximately $250,000 each year and will come from the water fund. Because this will likely require an increase in water rates, the City has contracted with Baker Tilly to provide a model detailing what rates should be to cover those costs, which is anticipated to be between 5 and 7 percent.
Dec. 15, 2023 - The first new water bill was mailed out, which is now due the 15th of the following month.
January 2024 – Accumulation of meters in anticipation of the change out. We intend to begin installing Ipearl meters for any new construction and a handful of other locations to begin beta testing of the system.
February 2024 – Community engagement of what to expect and how these new meters work via social media.
- Base station for the system shipped.
March 2024 - Installation of base station on top of Sixth Avenue water tower. This is the collector site for all meters within the city and once this is on-line, any new meter installed will begin reading on the new system.
April 2024 - Base station internet connection has arrived and is being configured.
- Test meters are installed.
April 2024 - Began collection of data on a small scale to work out any kinks to ensure a smooth transition for our customers.
May 2024 – Additional customer outreach with target starting locations of installation
July 23, 2024 – A few meters began being installed in preparation for the mass installation of meters next week of ~100 per day, until completed, as well as work on the billing software. Meters will be installed from about 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and door hangers will be left for home owners.
Oct. 31, 2024 – Target date for installation completion for all customers.
Automated Meter Infrastructure (AMI) is an integrated system of equipment that uses radio-based technology to read water meters, which eliminates the need for manual meter reads. Automation allows us to mitigate some of our common issues that we see today when reading meters.
The Utilities Department could continue to operate as it does today, which is less efficient than an updated system would allow. The City's billing process requires several billing cycles and manually reading meters creates its own difficulties and problems. Meters can be misread, some meter pits often fill with water or are very deep, making it difficult to get an accurate reading. Advanced metering works via wireless technology to send readings to regional collectors that transmit the usage data to the City. Regional collectors are located on existing water tanks and towers. The innovative system replaces monthly manual reads with the wireless system that collects multiple remote reads per day, allowing for better leak detection, increased billing accuracy and improved customer service.
An automated system removes many of these problems and allows for a single billing cycle. This will allow resources to be allocated to more pressing needs and will improve customer service.
September 11 UPDATE: Crews are moving on to Phase 9 this afternoon. This will be Water Routes 24 and 25, which will be from High Street to Washington and from Central to the SW Trafficway (see the area outlined on the map).
September 9 UPDATE: Crews are moving on to Phase 8 this afternoon. This will be Water Routes 22 and 23, which will be in the area of Douglass Road and SW Traffic Way (see the area outlined on the map).
September 3 UPDATE: Crews are moving on to Phase 7 this afternoon. This will be Water Routes 20 and 21, which will be from Central to Towanda (for route 20) and Finney (for route 21) and from Haverhill to Race Street (see the area outlined on the map).
August 26 UPDATE: Crews are moving on to Phase 6 today. This will be Water Routes 11 and 12, which is the northeast part of town (see the area outlined on the map).
August 20 UPDATE: Crews will be moving on to Phase 5 today or early tomorrow. This will be Water Routes 9 and 10, which is north of 12th Street and east of Main Street (see the area outlined on the map).
August 15 UPDATE: Crews will be moving on to Phase 4 later today or early tomorrow. This will be Water Routes 8, which is east of the Walnut River West Branch and up to the Golf Course, including Vintage Place (see the area outlined on the map).
August 6 UPDATE: Phase 3 will begin this week and continue for the next two to three weeks. Crews will be working in Water Routes 3, 5, 6 and 7, which is from Taylor to Haverhill and from Central to Sixth.
July 30 UPDATE: Crews will begin working in Water Route 2 on July 31, which is west of Topeka and north of Sixth Avenue to the river.
July 29 UPDATE: Work began on the installation of the new meters the week of July 22. MB Construction crews will be in the community replacing the water meters in phases, with them starting on water route 1, which includes an area from Taylor Street to the west branch of the Walnut River and from about Sixth Avenue to Central Avenue (outlined on the map). Crews will be wearing either shirts, vests or hats with their logo so the community can easily identify them. The work will be done from approximately 7:30 a.m. to 6 or 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday until the project is completed. Each meter replacement should only take a few minutes, during which a house will be without water, and if water is in use, they will knock on your door before beginning their work on your meter. If you have any questions, please call 321-9100.