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Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Program
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INFORMATION CONTACT:
Aubrey Lofton, Union County Water, 704-296-4241
ACTION REQUESTED:
(i) Adopt Capital Project Ordinance #292; (ii) approve the purchase of water meters, AMI transmitters, base stations, and associated apparatus, supplies, and equipment through an agreement with Ferguson Enterprises, LLC, with apparatus, supplies, and equipment standardization and compatibility as the overriding consideration in this purchase, as set forth in N.C.G.S. ? 143-129(e)(6); and (iii) authorize the County Manager to negotiate and execute an agreement with Ferguson Enterprises, LLC, in the amount of $13,657,018.17 substantially consistent with this agenda item.
BACKGROUND:
Union County Water (UCW) has evaluated current metering and billing operations for its water utility operations. UCW has used Automated Meter Reading (AMR) technology since 2004. This method requires significant staff time for manual (drive-by) meter reading. It also provides limited data for customers and for analytical research by the utility. With improving technology, more capable meter reading technology has become available. AMI is an integrated system of water meters, communication networks, and data management systems that enables two-way communication between water meters and utilities. AMI has many benefits with the most obvious being that AMI utilizes a fixed network to communicate with customer meters rather than utilizing the drive-by reading system of the AMR technology. AMI also has several other important business benefits as identified:
1) Customer Service
* More robust customer portal
* Detailed insight on consumption
* Leak alert/monitoring and communication options
* Simplified billing management
2) Operational Efficiency
* Eliminates drive-by meter reading process
* Provides easy access to critical information for field investigations and service requests
* Allows staff to shift from reactive to proactive work...
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