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Photo: Badger Meter

In recent years, automatic meter reading (AMR) has evolved from simply a billing function into a comprehensive financial and operations management tool for water resource managers. The increasing prevalence of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) technologies that facilitate the ongoing collection of data for billing, leak detection, conservation, and maintenance functions is due to managers’ expanding view of their resource and infrastructure as financial assets.

Comprehensive Water Management: The Transparent Technologies Report
Transparent Technologies, a Boulder, CO-based company that assists water utilities in maximizing revenue and mitigating water loss, recently developed a white paper titled Beyond AMR: Utilizing Transparent Technology (T2) for Water Management, which reflects the new AMR/AMI philosophy. The paper points out that many water utilities have begun to use AMR/AMI, which can now provide water usage information directly from the point of use, to reflect the value of water as a commodity. Compared with the typical basic, standalone water meter of years past, these new units are characterized by major advances in battery technology, low-power microprocessors, memory capabilities, and wireless communications. These advances are transforming leak detection and conservation programs from being driven by public awareness and education campaigns to an orientation toward monitoring and enforcement driven by technology.

Currently the focus is less on increasing the speed and accuracy of meter reads, and more about obtaining true insight into the consumption patterns of users. A water utility needs to know when and how water is being used, in addition to how much. The “AMR” device installed at the meter now has a microprocessor and a memory chip, essentially all that’s needed to run algorithms for data logging, leak detection, conservation tracking, and other functions.

The report also notes that leak detection is a major new function of AMR/AMI. A point-of-use leak detection algorithm is initially employed during a period of little or no flow at a given outlet. Then, once a leak is detected, the electronic device simply flags the violation for the regular meter-reading system. Detailed datalog files can also help to present the facts and reveal to the end user a reduction in the water bill.

Transparent Technologies argues that-as with leak detection-the best method for enforcing voluntary or mandatory conservation programs is at the point of use via data logging. Most conservation programs are based on limiting watering days, but there’s no doubt that using a simple conservation algorithm, based on how much water should be used and for how many days per month, could improve efficiency.

For example, if the number of high-usage days measured exceed the monthly watering days, then a flag could be set and transmitted with the regular meter reads. The flag would provide notice to the utility, which then could use more detailed consumption data to approach the violator and solve the problem. Excessive water use, as defined by current water restrictions, can be monitored hourly with AMR, providing automatic data logging of customer violations during the normal course of meter reading. The detailed data logging possible with today’s AMR/AMI systems provides a clear and unequivocal presentation of the consumption history. With a solid basis for the claim, it is easier to approach the end customer and find the solution.

According to the report, another useful point-of-use function is monitoring backflow for the dual purposes of cross-connection detection and security. With a typical encoded meter register, reverse registration at the meter is positive evidence of backflow. The backflow algorithm is very basic, i.e., it determines if consumption is negative or not, but it also needs to be flexible enough to allow fine-tuning for the quantity of backflow. A flag can be set to detect the quantity of backflow.

The report sums up by stating that since most utilities are dealing with a lack of resources, the evolution of water resource management capabilities is making overall system maintenance easier. Increasingly, electronic devices have self-diagnostics capability. A low battery, internal failures, or communications errors should all be self evident in the AMR device’s transmission. Detailed information on the type of physical problem at a particular site can make the utility’s response more effective and efficient.

It’s clear that water resources managers are demanding more and more actionable intelligence from their AMR/AMI systems. The marketplace is following suit with continuing technological refinements.

What the Marketplace Is Offering
Aclara RF Systems Inc.’s Star-ZoneScan leak detection system combines the fixed Star Network system with the Zonescan 800 leak detection technology from Gutermann International, Zurich, Switzerland. The system checks and analyzes noise characteristics on water lines at regularly scheduled intervals. Acoustic samples from each Zonescan unit are collected by an Aclara meter transmitter, located in the pit lid, and then transferred to the utility via the network’s 450- to 470-MHz radio-frequency signal. At the utility, the Star ZoneScan leak detection software correlates the data to pinpoint the location of leaks.

Photo: Aclara

The leak detection system transmits signals to the utility, where software gathers data to indicate leaks.

American Water, the nation’s largest investor-owned water and wastewater utility company, is currently using the system in a pilot project. American Water placed 200 detectors on valves or hydrants within its pilot area. The system uses acoustic sound sampling, a unique aspect of the Gutermann technology and devices. Rather than assigning leak values to specific points in the water distribution system to indicate the likelihood of a leak—which Gutermann devices are still capable of—the Star Network system utilizes its strong RF signal to allow remote collection of large volumes of data.

Badger Meter Inc. offers the Orion AMR System, which recently has begun to provide Loudoun County, VA—a bedroom community of Washington DC—with a lower cost and higher levels of service for its water customers. The system gives the Loudoun County Sanitation Authority two new capabilities: data profiling and meter monitoring.

Orion’s data profiling helps both residential and commercial customers reduce consumption. For example, a high-consumption homeowner may not know that an irrigation system is running as much as it is. The county visits its customers in the field with a laptop computer and shows them a graph created from actual data accumulated over one day to more than two years. Graphing consumption spikes helps customers to determine where in the home excess consumption is occurring.

Badger Orion Water Meter Monitors are small enough to fit in the palm of a customer’s hands and can be attached to a refrigerator with a built-in magnet. At any time, the meter can be read from inside the house by pushing a single button. The homeowner can determine water usage by setting the monitor at zero, taking a second reading, and comparing the two readings. The expandable system suits a growing region such as Loudoun County, which first installed a Badger Meter mobile AMR system in the early 1990s, when its population was 22,000. More than a decade later, one of the fastest-growing counties in the country has about 57,000 connections.

The Mosaic AMR networking system from Datamatic forms a network by linking each meter to its neighbors via two-way radio. The system is designed to “hop” data from meter to meter to create the most efficient path to the nearest gateway. When installed, meters automatically join the network and the system automatically reroutes data around obstacles and automatically balances load throughout the network.

Gateways backhaul data to the office via a GPRS, Wi-Fi (802.11b), or Ethernet. According to Datamatic, Mosaic is the only available system that supports migration through walk-by, mobile, and mesh network collection methods, using the same Mosaic-class Firefly meter interface unit (MIU). Once a Firefly is installed within a network area, it begins a rapid search and locates all neighboring MIUs. The system routes data along multiple, redundant pathways. Mosaic gateways check firmware versions of the Firefly units as they join the network. When an update is available, the update is pushed to the MIUs. Upon installation, Firefly units determine the most efficient path to the nearest gateway. If any part of that path becomes unavailable due to a temporary obstruction, etc., the Firefly units reroute themselves around the issue, “healing” the path on their own. The Firefly MIUs transmit readings on a user-defined schedule, typically once daily for water, and store interval consumption data for 240 days. According to the manufacturer, Firefly MIUs install in less than five minutes and are compatible with virtually any meter, making them the first truly universally compatible AMR system in the industry.

The company also offers its PermaLog+ Leak Noise Logger, which can be used in conjunction with a Mosaic Mesh Network or Roadrunner Mobile and Handheld data collection platform. The loggers attach magnetically to valves throughout the distribution system and run sophisticated algorithms that distinguish the sound of normal operations from the acoustic signature produced by a leak. The units integrate with a Firefly unit to transmit data to the office daily during meter reading operations. A Digital Correlator analyzes the leak data to provide accurate leak location information.

The evoQ4 Mag Meter from Elster AMCO Water is designed for a low total life-cycle cost and is said to be the lightest FM-approved meter on the market. The unit does not require a strainer, has no moving parts, and is available with encoder or pulse output. The manufacturer says it has designed the meter with advanced measurement and flow technology for high accuracy through a wide range of flows and varied conditions and applications. It reportedly can suit either predominantly high or low flow rates and a wide variety of bulk flow metering applications, such as network management, leakage monitoring, and commercial billing.

The unit’s bidirectional pulse outputs are configured for dependable connectivity to critical water management and billing systems, including AMR and data-logging devices. The unit is compatible with evolution AMI and other AMR/AMI devices. The unit features a standard, continuous sampling rate of 0.5 seconds. Anticorrosive electrodes are used to ensure consistently accurate performance throughout the unit’s life. Stainless steel construction is intended to ensure a long, corrosion-free working life and a lightweight body is designed to facilitate storage, transportation, and installation. An IP68 rating guarantees protection of internal electronics. According to the manufacturer, the evoQ4 is maintenance-free, eliminating regular battery changeouts and calibration often required with mechanical and electromagnetic meters. A large LCD readout shows volume and instantaneous flow to suit real-time network control and water management.

Alarm functions also provide real-time status to ensure no loss in measuring continuity. An unrestricted flow tube is used to ensure minimal pressure loss, even at the highest flow rates. This allows a reduction in overall network system pressures, helping to prevent leakage from burst pipes and excess stress placed on pumping stations. The unit, which comes in AWWA C701 Class II Turbine meter lay lengths, is designed for simple installation. The flanges are epoxy-coated cast iron to reduce weight and prevent corrosion. The 2-inch unit comes with an oval flange and the 3–8-inch units come with a round flange; all flanges conform to ANSI B16.1 Class 125 standards.

Three operating options are available. In the display-only option, the meter is read-only with no pulse output communications. Pulse output can be easily upgraded in the field. With the pulse output meter option, a plug-and-play pulse output transmitter is added for connection to ancillary devices including AMR, data loggers, or remote display. In the meter and remote display option, a pulse output and remote display unit are connected electronically to the meter in option one, and the remote display features two pulse output channels. Informative display functions facilitate analysis. An integrating volume value displays the net volume of water measured. For the flow rate, if water is flowing in the reverse direction, a minus sign is displayed to the left of the values. A low-battery indicator appears when the battery voltage is low, and the meter should be replaced. A no-water indicator blinks when there is an empty pipe or no water in the meter.

Itron’s MLOG proactively monitors for leaks in water distribution systems during a relatively inactive four-hour period, 365 nights a year. MLOGs are patented, maintenance-free acoustic sensors that automatically detect leaks across an entire distribution system. Two configurations are available for obtaining leak data. MLOG AMR can integrate with Itron Water SaveSource, connecting to Itron Water SaveSource Endpoints and leveraging a fixed-network communications backhaul for daily leak reporting. Alternatively, MLOG Radio, advanced leak detection for drive-by applications, is a low-cost standalone network of sensors that communicate with a handheld MLOG controller and can be read during normal monthly field visits for meter data collection, or independently.

Every night, MLOG acoustic sensors collect and analyze sound patterns in their environment, detecting new, evolving, and pre-existing leaks automatically. Once the leak data is collected via FTP or e-mail back at the utility, the MLOG online Network Leak Monitoring System analyzes the data, graphically displaying all MLOG locations on distribution system maps and highlighting areas of elevated leakage potential. Flexible reports and an expandable database of historical information allow analysis of an entire water distribution system.

An information table displays all data from one or more water distribution systems and sorts, searches, and ranks all sensors by leak status: probable leak, possible leak, no leak likely, or out of status. Other data points include the date when data was last received and analyzed, the identification number of the logger installed, a basic street map, or satellite view of the service area. The data can be sorted by column. By analyzing sound history and nighttime patterns, the system creates a leak index for all logger locations. Water providers can view area maps that show leakage at a glance by overlaying leak indexes from loggers within an area of the water distribution system. The color image indicates areas of low (green) through high (red) leak status. The loggers automatically detect changes in the level and frequency of pipe sounds from night to night. This specialized leak information is used to create a leak index at each MLOG location. The loggers have a range of up to 500 feet. The sealed, waterproof units feature an IP68 rating and a black polycarbonate and brass housing. They mount on pipe using two O-rings or tie-wraps; no tools are required.

The MLOG Radio has a range of up to 1,100 line-of-sight feet, 300 obstructed-view feet, and 100 feet in a meter pit with metal cover configuration. The 915-megahertz, digital frequency-hopping unit is Federal Communications Commission (FCC)-approved and license-free. The weatherproof unit has an IP54 rating and uses an ABS plastic housing. It has sufficient memory for 4,000 readings and connects to a Windows PC via a USB cable.

ARB Utility Management Systems incorporate new technologies while maintaining compatibility among multiple generations of systems from Neptune Technology Group Inc. ARB Mobile, ARB FixedBase, and ARB Hybrid Systems provide accurate meter readings and value-added benefits such as leak, tamper, and reverse-flow detection, up-to-the-hour consumption data, and migration to wireless networks. These systems are designed to work together, so that utilities can use an optimal combination of mobile and/or fixed-base architecture to address their specific needs. According to Neptune, the ARB Utility Management System allows utilities to better manage time and financial resources. The number of billing disputes and service calls decrease with use of the system. Finally, the system is designed to help utilities to comply with conservation and public safety initiatives.

FlexNet from Sensus Metering Systems-which has a primary-use, FCC-licensed spectrum-says to supply uncluttered transmissions in both rural and urban areas, regardless of terrain. Using a licensed radio frequency and open industry standards, the system is designed to allow both one-way and two-way meter endpoints to coexist in the same network, giving customers the freedom to apply the system to all of their meters. FlexNet SmartPoint transmitters collect meter consumption and status information, and communicate the data to tower gateway base stations (TGBs), which use existing radio towers with antennas installed at heights ranging from 50–600 feet. The TGBs forward data to the Regional Network Interface (RNI)—which is usually located at the utility—via hardwire links, and also store data in the event of communication interruption. The system features both two-way and one-way fixed based communication through a wireless, minimal infrastructure. The system is scalable to accommodate growth as a utility expands its service territory.

The primary-use licensed spectrum allows a utility to legally and efficiently remove interference. The system reportedly is the only AMI system approved by the FCC to operate a mass-deployed utility system on this licensed spectrum and can guarantee 25-year radio network operation free from noise and jamming. Patent-pending modulation and digital signal processor-based tower receivers operate over a 15–20 mile range, and are specifically designed to handle diverse terrain. The tower-based system has been developed to allow for a turnkey deployment program, delivered via master agreements with nationwide owners of existing radio towers, eliminating easement and access issues.