Neptune Helps Water Utilities Mitigate Drought With Revenue Enhancement Analysis

A historic multi-year drought continues in the western United States, compounded by exceptionally dry conditions this year in much of the rest of the country. As the drought-affected areas of the U.S. topped 50 percent of the U.S. landmass in September, Neptune Technology Group continues to provide answers to mitigate the drought, including revenue enhancement analysis.

Just as Neptune’s R900® and R450™ Systems for automatic meter reading (AMR) and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) have helped water utilities across America to recapture Non-Revenue Water while aiding conservation initiatives, its SEER® (Statistical Evaluation for the Enhancement of Revenue) analysis tool is specifically designed to identify Non-Revenue Water at the water meter level. Classified as “Apparent Losses” in AWWA water audit terminology, water delivered to the consumer but not properly billed is the most expensive form of Non-Revenue Water.

SEER helps highlight meter inaccuracies and identify meters to repair or replace. By projecting the return on investment (ROI) for each meter replacement, SEER generates a prioritized list of meters to address.

“In conditions of water scarcity, utilities literally cannot afford to waste water,” said Tim Bianchi, Neptune Vice President Engineering. “A typical utility’s large commercial and industrial water meters make up less than 10 percent of its meter population – but between 40 and 60 percent of its revenue. SEER can show how to prevent greater losses of money and water by replacing even a small number of large meters.” By addressing Non-Revenue Water at the meter level, water utilities increase accountability across their service area which has proven to curtail water use when accurate billing is re-established. Experience has shown that a utility’s most economical way to increase water supply is the recovery of water that would have otherwise been lost in its distribution system.

SEER offers water utilities a return on investment that can be quick and substantial, with benefits that continue long after the current drought is over. For more information on the SEER revenue enhancement analysis tool, visit https://www.neptunetg.com/Water-Meters/Online-Tools/. To learn more on how SEER and other tools can address the needs of utilities in drought-stricken communities, go to www.neptunetg.com/droughtanswers.

About Neptune
Neptune Technology Group Inc. is a pioneer in the development of automatic meter reading (AMR) and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) technologies for five decades. Throughout its long history, Neptune has continually focused on the evolving needs of utilities – revenue optimization, operational efficiencies, and improved customer service. The company offers a fully integrated migration path for its utility customers to meet their needs now and in the future. For more information, visit www.neptunetg.com.