Current Meter Reading System

Installed 1996-97, Expected life 12 to 15yrs Vendor: Sensus Reading Guns must touch the meter.Reading Guns 15 years old

April 2012 Town Meeting - Fixed Network System 1

Current System Problems15 years oldLabor intensive readings and billing processInfrequent Readings - AbatementsMissing management data:

Meter history, service information, install dateType of serviceSize of serviceContacts

April 2012 Town Meeting - Fixed Network System 2

Proposed New SystemOne-way Fixed Network SystemFour readings dailyReceiver at the water tank siteAutomated billing for closing.

Safe: Extremely Low RF energy, 0.15 sec/transmission

ROI: Strong Return on InvestmentSecure: signal is encrypted, short and burst

signals. Private: Separate server, not connected to the

internet. April 2012 Town Meeting - Fixed Network System 3

COSTS: SAVINGS:Equipment Cost 520,000$ Reduction of a meter reader 68,000$ Installation Labor 81,600$ Reduction Final Reads 1/3 22,667$ Misc. Cost 20,000$ Overtime 10,000$ Total Cost 621,600$ Uniforms 250$

Vehicle 2,500$ Cost w/Contingencies 700,000$ Vehicle Maintenance 1,000$

Fuel 2,000$ Clothing Allowance 350$ Rain/ Safety Gear 100$ Licences 100$ Total Savings/year 106,967$

Total Benefits 18 year life 1,925,406$ Less Total Costs w/Contingencies 700,000$

Net Benefit 1,225,406$

Return on Investment

April 2012 Town Meeting - Fixed Network System 4

ImprovementsDaily readings = lower labor requirementsImproves Data accuracy for Town and

customerImproves ConservationImproves Water Accountability – DEP

mandate

April 2012 Town Meeting - Fixed Network System 5

Advantages: Daily ReadingsAssist in leak detection

For the customerFor the system as a whole (daily pumped vs

daily use)Reports abnormal readingsReal time readings – service on and offWater ban violationsMeter tampering Time of day and seasonal consumption

predictionApril 2012 Town Meeting - Fixed Network System 6

Advantages: Lowers Labor Costs

Eliminates travel and labor for manual meter reads

No Manual Reads when service changesBetter information, less management time.Faster bill processing, fewer manual billsReal-time information to resolve billing issues

April 2012 Town Meeting - Fixed Network System 7

Other CommunitiesAcushnet, Boston, Brookline, Burlington,

Cambridge, Chelsea, Cumberland RI, Danvers, Framingham, Hopkinton, Kennebunkport ME, Medford, Medway, Nantucket, Norfolk, Norwood, Portsmouth NH, Salem, Somerville, Walpole, Westfield, Woburn and Yarmouth.

Lawrence, Newton, and Waltham, in progress

April 2012 Town Meeting - Fixed Network System 8

SummaryImproves Customer ServiceImproves management of our water systemIncreases systems flexibility Eliminates wasted effortSaves money for customers

April 2012 Town Meeting - Fixed Network System 9