US city selects Itron’s advanced metering solution for automating water metres

The US city of San Diego’s public utilities department has selected US-based smart metering system provider Itron’s advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) solution for the automation of commercial and industrial (C&I) water meters in the region.

The scope of the contract includes city-wide fixed-base communication network infrastructure, water communication modules for C&I meters and private cloud managed services.

San Diego’s public utilities department is trying to improve its customer service by using Itron’s AMI technology to streamline its metre reading and gain quick access to water usage data.

Equipped with Itron’s AMI solution, which provides remote meter reading capabilities, the department will be able to improve its responsiveness to the customers’ needs, reduce operating costs, and improve employee safety.

Itron North America Water sales, marketing and delivery vice president Paula Billingham said the company will assist water utilities to manage the valuable resource efficiently and responsibly.

“With the help of our water AMI solution, the city of San Diego will be able to minimize water loss from unknown leaks and maximise water distribution and operational efficiency,” Billingham added.

San Diego compliance and metering manager Dave Akin said, “Itron’s water AMI solution will give San Diego the ability to enhance our water meter reading, customer service and billing capabilities for the 11,000 high impact service locations included in this initial implementation.”

Itron is expected to begin installation of the AMI technology in early 2013 and complete the task within eight months.

---

Image: Itron’s advanced metering infrastructure will help the San Diego public utilities department to access water usage data quickly and manage the resource efficiently. Photo: Courtesy of Ildar Sagdejev.