A 10-Step Method For Optimum Meter Reading

By Stephen Davis, technical expert, ARCADIS

With demand for efficiency at an all-time high, utilities are provided a guide to better meter reading.

Technological advances in water customer demand metering and new ways to collect and transmit metering data can provide answers to many complex questions facing water utility managers today. More frequent meter readings than once a month for billing and improved metering analytics provide opportunities for better informed decision-making and water infrastructure management.

Mining of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) data improves water resource use efficiency, customer accountability, and utility response, while facilitating better water loss definition and cost-effective mitigation. Additionally, by collecting multiple reads during peak use periods, the utility can better characterize right sizing of meters and right sizing of water delivery
infrastructure. Customers can benefit from web-based access to their own usage patterns. Utility customer service personnel, armed with real-time and more detailed specific-customer, short-interval water use information, can address customer concerns quickly and confidently.