Water Meter ChangeWater Meter Change--out out and Radio Read Systemand Radio Read System

December 6, 2011December 6, 2011

Why Replace Water Meters?Why Replace Water Meters?

Meters are Jamestown cash registers for Meters are Jamestown cash registers for the Water & Sewer Fundthe Water & Sewer FundSlow degradation of metersSlow degradation of metersNot contingent on upgrade to Not contingent on upgrade to RadioRadio Read Read SystemSystemFunding has not keptFunding has not kept--up with replacement up with replacement raterate

Meter Replacement Chart 1988 to 2010Meter Replacement Chart 1988 to 2010

Why upgrade to a Radio Read Why upgrade to a Radio Read System?System?

Concept is not new to Jamestown Concept is not new to Jamestown --planning at least since 2004planning at least since 2004Integrates with current town software Integrates with current town software billing systembilling systemOpportune time to add radio read Opportune time to add radio read equipment to meters while changeequipment to meters while change--out is out is in processin processProject is fundedProject is fundedCIP planned project CIP planned project

Why upgrade to a Radio Read Why upgrade to a Radio Read System?System?

Will enable Town to convert from biWill enable Town to convert from bi--monthly billing to monthly billing for inmonthly billing to monthly billing for in--town and outtown and out--ofof--town customers.town customers.Will allow PS crew to perform more duties.Will allow PS crew to perform more duties.Proven technologyProven technology

Why upgrade to a Radio Read Why upgrade to a Radio Read System?System?

Radio Read in other Communities Radio Read in other Communities SafetySafetyPS Crew Time SavingsPS Crew Time SavingsCustomer Benefits Customer Benefits

Radio Read in other CommunitiesRadio Read in other Communities……Town of Elkin, Town of Elkin, population 4200population 4200 drive by AMR.drive by AMR.

City of City of Conover Conover has been on AMR for more than 10 years. has been on AMR for more than 10 years. Population 8,111Population 8,111. .

Town of Beech Mountain Town of Beech Mountain Utilities DepartmentUtilities Department……. using the . using the drivedrive--by radio read systemby radio read system……fullfull--time population of time population of approximately approximately 350 residents350 residents, but approximately , but approximately 2,000 2,000 water/sewer accountswater/sewer accounts. Mostly 2nd home and seasonal . Mostly 2nd home and seasonal residents.residents.

The The City of Marion, City of Marion, pop. 8,075pop. 8,075, has an AMR system., has an AMR system.

Town of WarsawTown of Warsaw currently has approximately 25% of its currently has approximately 25% of its meters as radio readmeters as radio read…… .currently in design to put out to bid .currently in design to put out to bid to replace the balance of the meters with a radio read to replace the balance of the meters with a radio read system that will bounce it to Town Hallsystem that will bounce it to Town Hall…… 3,051 residents3,051 residentsand has approximately 1,300 residential customers and 100 and has approximately 1,300 residential customers and 100 commercial customers.commercial customers.

Radio Read in other CommunitiesRadio Read in other Communities……Edgecombe CountyEdgecombe County Water & Sewer: Approximately 4,200 Water & Sewer: Approximately 4,200 accounts, 1,400 manual read and accounts, 1,400 manual read and 2,800 radio read2,800 radio read..

Town of Ocean Isle BeachTown of Ocean Isle Beach, , Population:Population: 2,6002,600approximate accounts (seasonal population) drive by radio approximate accounts (seasonal population) drive by radio read systemread system

Oriental Oriental converted to radio read meters converted to radio read meters -- half of the town's half of the town's 900900 meters are on AMR systemmeters are on AMR system

Nash CountyNash County has a system of has a system of 2100 water customers2100 water customers and and has a radio read system since having 600 customers.has a radio read system since having 600 customers.Town of River Bend, Town of River Bend, Population 3,200Population 3,200, Fixed base radio , Fixed base radio read system.read system.

City of CreedmoorCity of Creedmoor……AMRAMR system using data loggersystem using data logger……population 4124population 4124..

Maiden Maiden Pop. 3,400, Pop. 3,400, has about 75% of meters updated to has about 75% of meters updated to AMR.AMR.

Radio Read in other CommunitiesRadio Read in other Communities……Gibsonville, Gibsonville, known as known as the "City of Roses", is the "City of Roses", is located in the Piedmont located in the Piedmont Triad area of North Triad area of North Carolina, between Carolina, between Greensboro and Greensboro and Burlington.Burlington. With anWith anestimated population estimated population of 6,410,of 6,410, Gibsonville Gibsonville offers a small town offers a small town atmosphere to live, atmosphere to live, work, and play work, and play whilewhile providing quick providing quick access to larger access to larger neighboring cities.neighboring cities.

The Town provides a The Town provides a variety of services such as variety of services such as police, fire, garbage, police, fire, garbage, water/sewer, street, parks water/sewer, street, parks and recreation, library, and and recreation, library, and planning.planning.

Radio Read in other CommunitiesRadio Read in other Communities……

Rob Elliott, Assistant Rob Elliott, Assistant Director of Public WorksDirector of Public WorksApproximate 3200 metersApproximate 3200 metersRead manually and hand Read manually and hand written in notebook.written in notebook.Converted all meters to Converted all meters to AMR in 2007AMR in 2007AMR conversion enabled AMR conversion enabled Gibsonville to improve Gibsonville to improve from bifrom bi--monthly to monthly to monthly billingmonthly billing

SafetySafety

SafetySafetyWork to Live, DonWork to Live, Don’’t Live to Workt Live to Work

More importantly, work and go home.More importantly, work and go home.Liability ExposureLiability Exposure

Weather ConditionsWeather ConditionsMeter Reading on Penny Road Meter Reading on Penny Road –– Pilot ProjectPilot ProjectOld Practice of Meter ReadingOld Practice of Meter ReadingHighland Container Meter VaultHighland Container Meter Vault

SafetySafety

SafetySafety

SafetySafety

SafetySafety

SafetySafety

Crew TimeCrew Time

Director of Public

Services

Operation Manager

System Operator

Equipment Operator

(Sanitation)

Equipment Operator

EquipmentOperator Laborer Laborer

Public Services Department

Field crew performing

meter reading

Available field crew

for PS operation one week

each month

Crew TimeCrew TimeNot only Water & SewerNot only Water & Sewer……

Street Maintenance Street Maintenance –– Special EventsSpecial EventsFacility Maintenance & GroundsFacility Maintenance & GroundsConstruction ManagementConstruction ManagementSafety CoordinationSafety CoordinationStormwaterStormwaterSolid Waste CollectionSolid Waste CollectionPublic Services Administration (the paperwork!)Public Services Administration (the paperwork!)More!More!

Crew TimeCrew Time

Crew TimeCrew Time

Crew TimeCrew Time

Crew TimeCrew Time (manual)(manual)

Crew TimeCrew Time (automation)(automation)

Crew TimeCrew TimeInitial Meter Reading ProcedureInitial Meter Reading Procedure

Service Truck Service Truck (with stand)(with stand) Walking RoutesWalking Routes Radio Read Radio Read

InIn--Town RoutesTown Routes44 PS crew, PS crew, 22 trucks, 2 trucks, 2

days = approx. 80 days = approx. 80 hourshours

44 PS crew, PS crew, 22 trucks, 3 to 4 trucks, 3 to 4 days = approx.120 to 160 days = approx.120 to 160

hourshours 11 PS crew, PS crew, 11 truck, truck, 2 to 4 2 to 4

hourshoursOut-of-TownRoutes

44 PS crew, PS crew, 2 2 trucks, 1 trucks, 1 ½½ days = approx. 60 days = approx. 60

hourshours

44 PS crew, PS crew, 22 trucks, 2 to 3 trucks, 2 to 3 days = approx. 80 to 120 days = approx. 80 to 120

hourshours

Total HoursTotal Hours 140 hours140 hours 200 to 280 hours200 to 280 hours 2 to 4 hours2 to 4 hours

4 PS crew will work 160 hours in a week.4 PS crew will work 160 hours in a week.

Initial reading does not include reInitial reading does not include re--reads or customer service duties.reads or customer service duties.

Additional equipment must be purchased to add 4th man to readingAdditional equipment must be purchased to add 4th man to reading crew.crew.

Crew TimeCrew Time•• Current programs that must be Current programs that must be ““fit fit –– inin”” when when

schedule allows:schedule allows:Distribution System PermitDistribution System Permit•• Backflow Program (device inspection)Backflow Program (device inspection)•• Hydrant flushing & paintingHydrant flushing & paintingWastewater Collection System PermitWastewater Collection System Permit•• Sewer pipe cleaning & inspectionSewer pipe cleaning & inspection•• Fats, Oils, & Grease ProgramFats, Oils, & Grease ProgramLoose Leaf CollectionLoose Leaf CollectionStreet Signs / New post replacementStreet Signs / New post replacementStormwater Permit (coming soon!)Stormwater Permit (coming soon!)

Customer Customer BenefitsBenefits

Conversion to Radio Read SystemConversion to Radio Read System

Customer BenefitsCustomer BenefitsLeak DetectionLeak Detection

OutOut--of Cycle readingsof Cycle readings35 day data retrieval35 day data retrievalConversion from biConversion from bi--monthly to monthly monthly to monthly billingbillingReduces wasted water and associated Reduces wasted water and associated infrastructure costsinfrastructure costs

Customer BenefitsCustomer BenefitsLeak Detection Leak Detection -- OutOut--ofof--Cycle ReadingCycle Reading

Read meters to determine high water usageRead meters to determine high water usage•• Staff will place door hanger warning customerStaff will place door hanger warning customer•• Door hanger explains probable causesDoor hanger explains probable causes•• Consumer may call for town staff assistance Consumer may call for town staff assistance

Read meter for unusually low or zero usageRead meter for unusually low or zero usage•• Staff will check for failing or failed meterStaff will check for failing or failed meter

Customer Benefits Customer Benefits -- BillingBillingDuring September, Jamestown had two substantial rebates During September, Jamestown had two substantial rebates and one in October due to leaks. All three were calculated and one in October due to leaks. All three were calculated using the formula for a burst pipe or underground leak where using the formula for a burst pipe or underground leak where the wastewater was not returned to the sanitary sewer the wastewater was not returned to the sanitary sewer system. Determined an average water bill for preceding system. Determined an average water bill for preceding year and wrote off the entire wastewater bill and 1/2 of the year and wrote off the entire wastewater bill and 1/2 of the water bill above an average bill.water bill above an average bill.

Original bill Original bill -- $731.60 $731.60 Rebated $502.68 Rebated $502.68 –– Irrigation leak on domestic meter Irrigation leak on domestic meter (($228. 92$228. 92)

Original bill Original bill -- $1523.52 $1523.52 Rebated $804.00 Rebated $804.00 –– House empty and leak not discovered for 10 days House empty and leak not discovered for 10 days (($719.52$719.52))

Original bill Original bill -- $1258.56 $1258.56 Rebated $852.00 Rebated $852.00 –– Outside line break Outside line break (($406.56$406.56)

Customer Benefits Customer Benefits -- BillingBillingWhat are the benefits of monthly billing? What are the benefits of monthly billing?

Monthly billing frequency will assist in Monthly billing frequency will assist in household budgeting. household budgeting. Identify water leaks or other plumbing Identify water leaks or other plumbing issues quicker. issues quicker. Reduce confusion by having billing Reduce confusion by having billing practices similar to that of other local utility practices similar to that of other local utility companies.companies.

No radio read upgrade? No radio read upgrade? ((Life Without AMRLife Without AMR))

Liability Exposure Liability Exposure –– safety firstsafety firstMaintain biMaintain bi--monthly billing.monthly billing.Purchase additional equipment for 4Purchase additional equipment for 4thth man. man. No determination of high readings/high bills.No determination of high readings/high bills.May require hiring additional personnel to May require hiring additional personnel to maintain current services maintain current services –– more regulation more regulation to come!to come!