AWWA ACE91203

In 1989 the American Water Works Association Research Foundation (AWWARF) contracted a study to assess the state-of-the-art of automatic meter reading (AMR), and to explore water utility manager interest and experience with the technology. The study objectives included: 1) A survey of the level of interest in AMR among water utility managers, and an assessment of ongoing AMR activity, i.e., trials and large-scale deployments. 2) A review of the various technologies for AMR available to water utilities. 3) Compilation and evaluation of data from a sample of ongoing trials and installations. 4) Development of a decision making framework to help water utility managers evaluate and select among technologies and deployment strategies. 5) Development of a model for economic, financial, and rate impact analysis. 6) Assessment of equipment compatibility (i.e., to what extent will the components from one manufacturer work with another). 7) Assessment of the important of standardization among both utilities and manufacturers. 8) A review of standard setting procedures and a suggested framework for the development of AMR standards. The assessments were based on intensive surveying and interviewing efforts. This paper summarizes some of the key findings.