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DC Water installed state‐of‐the‐art technology to detect hard‐to‐find leaks in water pipes and valves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key Takeaways: Traditional cost‐of‐service structures for water rates have been based on customer classes, which can overlook the stresses put on a distribution system through peak usage and unfairly charge some customers. With more and better data, an individualized approach that ties rates to effects on the water system is possible, meaning utilities can capture each customer's water‐use patterns and tailor rates accordingly. Individualized rates enabled by smart meters can result in more equitable pricing for customers, help them understand their water use, and provide a budgetary benefit for utilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a way to proactively reduce nonrevenue water, Crystal Clear Special Utility District field‐tested new technology that directly integrates "listening" sensors in meters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water meters determine the success of any water system. Today's smart, long‐lasting meters have raised the bar on technology that has evolved dramatically in the past decade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A successful AMI deployment requires smart planning, a hard look at the required products and services, and a deployment strategy that maximizes the project's benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key Takeaways: A study by The Water Research Foundation (WRF) measured high‐resolution water demands in US buildings to reexamine and offer guidance on meter sizing approaches and building plumbing. Incorrectly sized meters have significant implications for water quality and resource management in a time of reduced water demand resulting from long‐standing water efficiency programs. The WRF study's actual measured peak flows indicate that all design curves currently used in practice, including those in AWWA Manual M22, predict flows that are likely to be higher than actual peak water demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To support water auditing and loss control programs, choose a meter accuracy testing approach based on system configuration and perform annual testing [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key Takeaways: A pilot study was conducted to understand the use of advanced metering infrastructure in a neighborhood northeast of Atlanta, Ga. The dashboard system displayed locations of flows and pressures as well as alerts that the team flagged for further investigation. The usage and pressure data from the pilot project allowed detection and remediation of leaks on both sides of the meter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To help drive efficiency, the Florida Governmental Utility Authority recently installed a comprehensive advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system. The lessons learned during the process can benefit any water utility considering or installing such a system [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through local news outlets, social media, and in‐person involvement, water utility employees can be ambassadors to show how the community benefits from the services they provide. Employees might even gain added appreciation for their coworkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key Takeaways: Through sound meter‐testing methods, water utilities can better determine a meter's accuracy in measuring flow. In the interest of providing guidance to water utilities, a recent study was conducted to observe the ability of 12 utilities to accurately test meters, especially at low flow rates. A 2013 study was used as a model to continue investigation into how utilities test meters and how their procedures can improve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To this end, AWWA's Water Loss Control Committee (WLCC) launched the Performance Indicators Task Force (PITF) in 2016 to evaluate the use and acceptability of historically applied and recommended best practice performance indicators (PIs) for assessing nonrevenue water (NRW). A timeline of the evolution of water loss assessment and management and the PITF's forthcoming position on water loss PIs is presented in Figure. In 2015, AWWA issued a public relations message that water utilities should focus on the "three Vs" (volumes, value, and validity) when compiling a standard water loss audit and conducting water loss assessments. [Extracted from the article]

Water audit investigators used pitot tubes to detect millions of gallons of over‐registration on one utility's master meter, explaining a large portion of its nonrevenue water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AWWA's competitions, presented at AWWA's Annual Conference & Exposition (ACE) each June, are a great way for operators to get to know other water professionals and get connected with their section events. Of the five annual operator competitions, Hydrant Hysteria is the newest and fastest‐growing initiative of AWWA's Operator Involvement Committee. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With proper implementation, advanced metering infrastructure can maximize water use efficiency, help identify leaks, surmount topographical challenges, and foster relations with customers and neighboring utilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concerned about increased nonrevenue water, a water utility in North Carolina conducted a water audit to determine the cause and devise a solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When Paducah Water realized it needed to upgrade its water system and found full system deployment to be impractical, the utility achieved success by employing an advanced metering infrastructure solution that provided the flexibility for the utility to deploy at its own pace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anyone who's ever tried to change out a water meter in a pit can tell you it's a tough job. Even servicing meters indoors often presents the challenges of gaining entry to the premises, finding the water meter, and trying not to get family heirlooms wet. These challenges alone may prompt municipalities to change out the meter register (the part that displays the local reading) rather than the entire meter as part of a technology upgrade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meter accuracy is critical to a water or wastewater utility's bottom line. An appropriate meter testing and maintenance program helps ensure customers' responsible and efficient water use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Know how much water your utility is truly putting into your distribution system each day by testing and calibrating flowmeters to improve water audits and control water loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the ruling in the case Naperville Smart Meter Awareness v. City of Naperville and its implications for the implementation of a smart meter program by government utilities. It describes the claims of the nonprofit organization regarding the collection of smart meter consumption data by the city of Naperville, Illinois. It also explains the implications of the ruling of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in the case for government-owned water utilities.

When calculating flow demand, it's important to consider meter type and suitability for use as a revenue‐collecting metering device or a flow‐monitoring device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AWWA's Meter Challenge, formerly known as Meter Madness, will once again be held in person at the 2022 Annual Conference & Exposition (ACE) in San Antonio. The Meter Challenge, along with all other AWWA national competitions, will be welcomed back for the first time since 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Return‐on‐investment analysis can help utilities determine if deploying remote‐disconnect meters is worthwhile [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a water utility of any size to function properly, effective meter reading is a vital aspect of daily operations. Meter reading supports both ends of the transaction, ensuring water is properly delivered and accounted for and customers are billed accordingly each month. Any significant meter innovation or improvement could greatly benefit a water utility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Having a meter technician physically inspect all revenue meters 3 in. and larger is a best practice that all water utilities should follow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An Arizona municipality uses geographic information system technology to improve its meter lockout process and optimize customer service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Water Cart is an apparatus that provides access to water for downtown events and festivals in Lee's Summit, MO. It also meters the water and ensures proper backflow protection is in place. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the easiest ways to increase revenue is to accurately bill customers for the water they use. To accomplish that goal, however, Enid, Oklahoma, utility personnel knew they needed more than just new water meters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To meet increased construction and contractor requests for temporary water on their sites, the City of Bloomington, MN, Public Works Department redesigned the existing construction meter assembly. The new hybrid construction meter assembly comprises a water meter, reduced‐pressure zone (RPZ) backflow preventer, 2 1/2‐in. fire hose, inline check valve, and fire hydrant wrench, all contained in one streamlined cart that's easily maneuvered, even on difficult construction sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intake offers Opflow readers guidelines and best practices collected from AWWA Manuals of Water Supply Practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The meter box critter barrier was created by the people of Scottsdale Water Resources Department. They took a meter box and covered over the outside of it with steel insect screen. This keeps out rodents, snakes, scorpions, and tarantulas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the pilot phase of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection's automatic‐meter‐reading program, customers complained to technical services division personnel that too many holes were being drilled in their homes or buildings to mount meter transmission units (MTUs). Filling the existing screw holes with clear silicone mixed with dust from newly drilled holes was the only remedy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An ordinary clamp was modified to create the Reverse Clamp, which allows operators to ratchet pipes apart and hold them in place during meter installation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]