A more than two-year-long effort to upgrade water meters for nearly all OUC residential and commercial customers has reached the halfway point.
The Next Gen AMI Water Project, which began in July 2023, involves replacing aging water meters and ‘first generation’ water automated meter reading (AMR) devices with advanced automated metering infrastructure (AMI) meters that leverage cellular communications technology. More than 90,000 meters have been replaced, and the remaining work is anticipated to be finished by December 2025.
“While the legacy equipment was first installed in 2012 to 2013, it was time to plan for mass replacements of this infrastructure. We’re raising the level of service for our customers, both externally and internally,” said Eddie Fee, Director of Meter Services, who added that the project is on schedule and on budget.
The meters enable OUC to provide hourly meter data to customers online, which will help them better manage their usage and conserve water – leading to potential savings. The technology also will enhance OUC’s ability to proactively identify leaks or other issues.
Watch the video to see a typical water meter replacement, which typically takes 20 to 30 minutes to complete and requires water to be shut off.
In most cases, communications modules attached to the new meters that transmit data to OUC are being replaced as well. If a meter has already been upgraded, only the module needs to be replaced.
To celebrate this milestone and recognize those instrumental in the ongoing work, project leaders and participants gathered at The Pines at Windermere in Augus. Also in attendance were representatives from project partners, Badger Meter, who provided the meters and the cellular AMI solution, and Utility Partners of America, whose teams are installing them for OUC.
“This milestone is significant and a testament to the collaboration, flexibility and shared expertise of the joint team as we had to work through many issues and challenges,” said Ervin Charles, Project Manager.
One of those challenges involved securing new meters.
“Supply chain was a big issue. This was on the heels of Covid,” explained Charlie Wright, Manager of Meter and Field Operations – Water. “We made sure we partnered early and front-loaded the project with materials before the first meter was in the ground. This ensured we had enough material to sustain at least three months of work. Lead times ebb and flow, but front-loading materials mitigated that.”
Eddie Fee, Director of Meter Services, speaks to key project leaders from OUC, as well as Badger Meter and Utility Partners of America, gathered to celebrate the project milestone.
The meter replacements are done in phases, with customers advised via postcard a month before installation teams work in their area. Also, a reminder is sent the week before by phone, text or email, depending on the customer’s communication preferences.
Switching out each meter takes about 20 to 30 minutes normally, and the customer doesn’t need to be present. About 5,000 meters are replaced each month.
Of OUC’s water customers about one-third receive only water service, explained Dawn Frye, Manager of Meter Data Operations, with another important milestone reached. Approximately 99% of those meters have been replaced.
“Now our water-only customers can go online and see their hourly usage,” said Frye. “They had no access to that before. Internally, that helps our water conservation team with the work they do for leak detection and proactive measures. Previously, that was restricted to electric and water customers.”
