Featured Articles

31. Managed Metering Solutions Offer A Strong Business Case 10/29/2019

    Many municipalities would benefit from a managed solution for water meter reading. However, they often avoid a deep dive into the option after performing a cursory, and flawed, cost-benefit analysis. When properly evaluated, managed solutions frequently provide a better and more viable alternative.

32. LTE-M Standard Redefines Cellular Efficiency For Water Meter Readings 9/9/2019

    The term “cellular” often calls to mind certain assumptions and limitations based on prior experience with consumer cellphone networks. Don’t confuse cellular-based Internet of Things (IoT) applications with past cellular experiences, though. The relatively new Long Term Evolution for Machines (LTE-M) standard represents a whole new ballgame. In short, “This is not your father’s cellular network.”

33. Modern Metering Adoption At Smaller Public Water Systems 7/15/2019

    As with most things in life, there are those water utilities that have and those that don’t. According to the EPA, less than 3% of the 150,110 operational public water systems (PWS) in the U.S. serve more than 10,000 people. And those 4,500 systems serve 79% of the population. Not that being big means living trouble free. Many of these water authorities serve cities plagued by under investment over decades in their water systems. And yet with large rate-bases comes the means to spread the investment in modern technology across many households and water consumers.   

34. When To Consider An Alternative To Thermal Dispersion Meters 4/17/2019

    Maintaining a firm grip on blower output within digesters at wastewater treatment plants is the key to stable dissolved oxygen levels that support an optimal biological cycle. However, the most common type of device used to measure aeration in the activated sludge process — thermal dispersion flow meters — is not always the best fit. The good news is that wastewater plant operators have multiple alternatives.

35. Effective Utility Management Starts With Data 12/15/2018

    Over the past decade, there has been a considerable effort in the water sector to address industry shortcomings through collaboration. And perhaps there’s been no greater initiative to try to help water utility managers in their day-to-day and future planning than the Effective Utility Management (EUM) Initiative.

36. Meter Reading Dangers 12/6/2018

    Did you ever have a paper route or go door-to-door selling items to your neighbors for a charitable cause in your younger years? Remember the house with the big dog? Or the overgrown yard? Maybe even the dark house at the end of the lane that the spooky old woman known to all as “the witch” lived in?

37. Advanced Metering Analytics: The Logical Evolution Of AMI 5/30/2018

    Just as different water utilities use different processes for turning raw source water into potable drinking water, so too do they take different routes to account for, and bill for, their output. Here is an overview of a cellular-based approach to collecting and leveraging data from water distribution operations that can achieve the greatest business advantage.

38. How To Squeeze Money Out Of Your Water Meters 5/30/2018

    There are many types of water meters being used across the U.S. to measure water consumption. And even though the panacea for a water utility would be to equip each residence with the same meter — standardizing metering technique, data capture and maintenance — the reality is that a utility needs to be able to read and service the variety of meters that make up its metering portfolio.

39. BEACON SaaS Managed Solution Transforms City Of Avon's Water System 5/2/2018

    Once a small town not far from Cleveland, the City of Avon is now one of the fastest growing communities in northeast Ohio.

40. City Of Santa Fe Water Division Overhauls And Improves System With BEACON® Software as a Service (SaaS) 5/2/2018

    Because of its location in the southwestern U.S., Santa Fe, NM, is known to have a scarce and precious water supply. In 2013, Santa Fe’s Water Division became aware that its drive-by meter reading system was failing. Working with Badger Meter, the city’s Water Division chose to implement the BEACON® Software as a Service (SaaS) managed solution with ORION® Cellular endpoints, as well as E-Series® Ultrasonic meters.