Many water utilities are faced with aging meter infrastructure, shrinking water resources and increased demand. This session focuses on how one Phoenix-based water utility, Global Water Resources, addressed these concerns by investing in and deploying an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system.

Global Water’s journey was filled with both success and failures but their vision resulted in a system that accomplished all of the following:

Efficient reads each of their customer metered accounts, 780 times per month!
Effective read data management that enables production need predictions using real-time consumption data.
Employing water conservation measures through the use of data to pinpoint leaks and transmit leak notices directly to the affected customer.
Development of a robust online portal for customers that provides access to consumption data, ability to report a problem, water conservation tips—and pay their bill, via the site or via smartphone application that provides the same functionality.
Development of a customer service portal specifically for utility staff that details account consumption data, past issues, problems, billing and bill payment history as well as other information needed by utility management and the customer service professionals to discuss account information with the customer.

Global Water Resources owns and operates 12 regulated water, wastewater and recycled water utilities in Phoenix, AZ. Jason Bethke, President of Global Water FATHOM, will discuss the benefits of AMI, effective data management and customer service and utility asset management platforms implemented by Global Water Resources, the road they took to reach their full implementation goals, and the availability to deploy these proven, field-tested products to other utility operators—without experiencing any of the pitfalls along the way.

After viewing this program, participants will be better able to:

Determine if utilizing AMI would benefit their community
Quantify the cost benefits of utilizing AMI
Anticipate potential pitfalls while implementing AMI

Lara Isch

Outreach Coordinator, Water Services Department, Kansas City, Missouri

Appearances