Strategic Goal #13

Automatic Meter Readers

Issue

The Field Crew manually reads water meters once a month (2 men X 4 days X 6 hours = 48 man-hours per month).  The Field Crew is standardizing the use of Rockwell and Metron meters, and is phasing in automatic meter reader (AMR) compatible meters to facilitate conversion in the future.  Conversion would require installing a radio transmitter in each meter and purchasing new meter readers for the new technology.  Converting to automatic meter readers would significantly reduce the labor requirement (1 man X 1 day X 8 hours = 6 man-hours).

The increase of 380 service connections from Providence Landing and Clubhouse Estates would likely require another utility service person on the Field Crew.  Automatic meter readers would save approximately one-fourth of man year.

Goal

Automate the process for reading water meters to improve accuracy and efficiency, and give the Field Crew more time to operate and maintain facilities.

Strategy

1.      Educate the public about the benefits and efficiencies of automated meter readers.

2.      Staff to research AMR technology to determine which manufacturers best suit requirements and are compatible with its computer systems.

3.      If the District has not implemented automatic meter readers before 2008

(after Providence Landing and Clubhouse Estates are completed) reevaluate staffing level and workload to determine if additional staffing is warranted.

Cost   (Operating and Capital Budgets)

Estimated cost for automatic meter readers is $400,000.

[($150/meter X 2,500 meters) + $25,000 for readers and software]

Cost to be funded by both water rates and water reserve funds.

Maximum impact to monthly water rates is 11%.

No impact to monthly sewer rates.

Development impact is 20%.