New Wireless Remote Water Meters Coming

Posted on 12/17/2015 by Pete McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM

Greater Vernon Water staff will be embarking on a big project in 2016, that could take several years to complete. They will be replacing the water meter touchpads on every home, and installing new wireless devices that allow the meters to be read remotely. Greater Vernon Advisory Committee chair Juliette Cunningham says it will save on labour costs, and have advantages for customers. "If it's noted that they are using extremely higher levels of water than normally, they can actually be flagged and contacted to check for leaks, so that is an advantage for the customer." Cunningham says several thousand outdated meters will also be replaced. "Currently we have lots of water that is unaccounted for in our system for a variety of reasons, some of that is meters that do not measure accurately." Customers will be able to opt out of getting the wireless device on their home, but they will be charged a fee for having their meter read manually.
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http://www.rdno.ca/index.php/services/engineering/water/greater-vernon-water/metering-program
Water Meter Improvement Program

The Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) - Greater Vernon Water (GVW) is beginning a multi-year water meter and meter reading improvement program. The program entails replacing the current “touch pad” manual meter reading technology with Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) technology and where applicable, replacing old meters.
The Water Meter Improvement Program will:
Improve meter reading accuracy;
Improve customer service;
Reduce operational costs;
Replace ageing meters which are nearing the end of their serviceable life; and
Reduce the need for staff to enter properties and businesses to obtain meter reads.
AMR uses wireless radio frequency technology to collect meter reading data remotely using low frequency radio waves and these radio waves are generated by a battery powered device called an Encoder-Receiver-Transmitter (ERT). All GVW water meters will be retrofitted with an ERT, which is typically mounted to the outside of buildings. For most customers, ERTs will be installed by replacing the touchpad they currently have using the same wires. Some customers will have older meters that will also need to be replaced as they cannot be converted for use with AMR technology.
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2. What will it cost? There is no charge to the customer for replacing the existing touchpad with an ERT or to replace an existing water meter; it is included in GVW’s ongoing maintenance and replacement budget. AMR technology is an investment in GVW infrastructure and will improve accuracy and customer service.