Automatic Meter Reading | ||||
Denver Water has nearly completed conversion of its water meters to Automatic Meter Reading capability. We're already reading over 95% of our meters quickly, efficiently and accurately using the latest in AMR technology. Some of the largest meters in our system will be converted over the next two years to finish up the project. |
What's AMR? | |||
|
The Automatic Meter Reading system enables us to save millions of dollars every year in meter reading costs. Along with some other changes we're working on, we'll be able to provide our customers with better information about water use, more accurate billings, and keep rates as low as we can. What's AMR? AMR stands for Automatic Meter Reading. Many utilities are using AMR as a way of improving customer service while reducing the cost of reading meters. We have converted over 220,000 meters in the Denver Water system to AMR, with the remaining meters to be done by the end of 2006. Because the AMR system greatly reduces our meter reading and meter maintenance costs, the system will pay for itself very quickly, so there will be no charge to existing customers and no rate increase to cover the cost of the project. Denver Water has chosen an AMR system that uses miniature radio transmitters attached to the water meter. The system is manufactured by Itron, the world's leading manufacturer of AMR equipment, and the same brand as used by Xcel Energy for their electric and gas meters. We are able to collect the readings from handheld radio receivers, from moving vehicles, or from fixed receivers mounted on light poles and buildings. With this process, one driver in a truck is able to read more meters in one day than our previous staff of 33 meter readers. And there won't be nearly as many problems from snow and meters that are hard to get to. (By the way, most of our former meter readers are still working for Denver Water in other jobs, or found other jobs elsewhere. All of the staff reduction was by attrition.) How does the system work? The key to the system is a device called an ERT - Encoder-Receiver-Transmitter. This device is connected directly to a special electronic register on the water meter. Normally, the ERT does nothing - it "sleeps," waiting for the meter reader to approach. The meter reader's truck-mounted reading device sends out a continuous "wake up" signal.
The truck-mounted computer system matches the ERT identification number with your property and records the reading. At the end of the day, the meter reader unloads the information to our billing system. So, what's this ERT and where is it? An ERT is a wholly contained electronic device designed to read the meter register and transmit the signal. The radio signals used to wake up the ERT and to transmit the signals are very weak, operating in the 900 MHz band - the same kind of radio signals used for cordless phones and garage door openers. The devices are powered by two long-lasting "AA" cell batteries, designed to last 15 to 20 years. We use two kinds of ERTs. The type that is used in a particular property depends on location of the water meter in relation to the street where our truck will drive. Pit ERTs are usually used for meters located in pits outside the building, while Remote ERTs are used when the meter is inside the building or when the ERT needs to be located some distance away from the meter. The Pit ERT mounts directly on the cast iron lid of an outdoor meter pit.
The pit ERT sticks up about ¾ inch above the cast iron lid, so it's important that you take care not to damage it with lawnmowers, lawn aerators and snow blowers. In most cases, we will use a lid that has a ¾ inch recess to hold the ERT so it is flush with the lid. The Remote ERT is a 4-inch square black box that will mount either inside or outside the building. It needs to be as close as possible to the "front" of the building–that is, the side of the building facing a public street. In most cases, it will be mounted in the basement near the ceiling, probably on a ceiling joist, close to the meter.
It is important that our customers not relocate an ERT once it has been mounted. We will need to have access to the ERT for future maintenance and replacement. Don't place soil or flower pots or rocks on top of pit ERTs, and don't enclose remote ERTs behind walls unless you leave a 24-inch square opening for future access. So I'll never see Denver Water again? No, that's not quite right. Occasionally a Denver Water field service technician may need to service the ERT or the meter if it isn't working properly, and we'll have to change the battery in 15 or 20 years. If the ERT is inside the building, we may need to make an appointment to access the meter. But you won't see a meter reader walking down your street. My ERT's installed… Now what? The biggest change is that the meter reader won't be coming by to look at your meter any more. You'll still get your bill on the same schedule as before. Things will be just about the same as they've been before. There are a few things you can do to take care of your ERT - which, by the way, belongs to you once we've installed it, just like your water meter and service line. Taking care of a Pit ERT If you have a pit ERT mounted on the top of the meter pit lid in your yard or driveway, be careful not to run over it with a lawn mower or snow blower. Don't bury the ERT or the meter pit, and don't place objects on top of the ERT. We will still need access to your meter and ERT from time-to-time, and objects on the ERT may block the very weak radio signal. We've found the greatest hazard to a pit ERT is a lawn aerator. Even our special recessed meter pit lids can't protect these electronic devices from the sharp spikes of an aerator. If you hire someone to aerate your lawn, be sure to remind them not to run over the meter pit. If the ERT is broken by an aerator, a lawn mower, or some other device, it will cause you to receive an estimated bill when we first discover it. The next bill after that will include a charge for the replacement of the device. Follow the link marked "Landscaper Alert" to see what can happen when a mower comes too close to an ERT. Be careful if you need to open your meter pit. The ERT is connected to the meter by a wire that could be broken or pulled out of the ERT. If the ERT is damaged, we'll have to replace it at your expense (currently about $175.00). If you do any landscaping around the meter pit, you'll need to adjust the meter pit (and maybe the meter setting) to the new grade. Since Denver Water's employees won't be looking at the meter pit every two months, you will have to be sure everything is in good condition. If you have any questions about your meter pit, call our Customer Care Specialists at 303-893-2444 and ask that a field service technician meet with you. Taking care of a Remote ERT If you have a Remote ERT attached to your meter, the most important thing is to leave it alone. If you decide to finish or remodel the area where the ERT is located, please call Denver Water at 303-893-2444 and arrange to meet with a field service representative who can explain how much room we need to work on your meter and ERT, or who can relocate the ERT as necessary and verify that we can still receive the radio signal. Even a minor relocation can mean we can't read the meter from the street. If new wires need to be run, there may be a charge for this, but we'll try to accommodate your needs. Please do not box these devices in or place them behind plaster walls, and please do not paint them - we will need to inspect and service the meter and ERT occasionally, so you must keep them accessible. We need a 2 ft by 2 ft access opening around remote ERTs behind walls. You should also be careful not to damage the wire from the meter to the ERT. If we receive a "broken cable" alert from the ERT, we will have to replace the wire at your expense. If you ever have any questions about your ERT, please call Denver Water's Customer Care specialists at 303-893-2444. If the phone representative cannot answer your question, we'll send a field technician to meet with you. What about my outside remote? Many indoor meters were equipped with outside remote units so we could get a meter reading without entering the building. Many customers with those units installed also know that they often failed to accurately display the meter readings - they took a lot of work to maintain, and we often had to enter the building anyway just to check them. If you have a remote on the outside of your building, we marked it Out of Service when we installed the ERT. You may remove this device at any time and discard it. | ||||
If you have any questions about AMR, call Denver Water's
Customer Care line: 303-893-2444.