What Experience Taught Medford About AMI

After living through the complete lifecycle of its first advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system, the City of Medford, Massachusetts, approached its next investment with a different perspective. Rather than focusing on the latest features, utility leaders prioritized reliability, accountability, and long-term operational value. Their experience underscores a broader shift occurring across the water industry as utilities replace first-generation AMI systems with solutions built for decades of dependable performance.

This case study explores how Medford evaluated replacement options based on lessons learned from years of real-world operation. By selecting an integrated ultrasonic metering solution, the utility reduced potential failure points while improving confidence in measurement accuracy, battery life, and long-term reliability. The upgrade has also transformed how the city manages its water system, providing continuous visibility into leaks through acoustic monitoring, improving billing accuracy, and enabling crews to identify and prioritize underground leaks before they become costly failures.

Beyond operational improvements, Medford has become a trusted reference for neighboring municipalities exploring their own AMI modernization efforts. Utility leaders now share firsthand insights into the importance of choosing technology that delivers consistent, dependable data while simplifying maintenance and reducing lifecycle costs.

Discover how Medford's journey reflects the changing priorities of water utilities nationwide. As first-generation AMI systems reach the end of their service life, the conversation is shifting from deploying smart meters to investing in measurement technology that supports better decisions, greater accountability, and more efficient operations for years to come.