Department
Public Works
Requested Action (Identify appropriate Action or Motion, purpose, cost, timeframe, etc.)
title
Presentation: Transitioning to Advanced Meter Infrastructure (AMI) water meter reading in 2025. (PRESENTED)
body
Requirement for Board Action (Cite specific Board policy, statute or code requirement)
For Information Purposes only
Strategic Priority Area related to this item (If yes, note strategic priority area below)
Health and Human Services
Commission Districts Affected
All Districts ☐
District 1 ☒
District 2 ☒
District 3 ☐
District 4 ☐
District 5 ☐
District 6 ☐
Is this a purchasing item?
No
Summary & Background
Currently, Fulton County provides potable water to approximately 80,000 customers in the North Fulton Water Service area. The water meters are currently being read by a third-party contractor. Approximately 45,000 of these meters are “drive-by” meters where the contractor can read the meter by driving by the meter in front of the home or business. The other 35,000 meters are manual read meters which require the contractor to physically open the meter cover to read the meter. The current contractor is having difficulty maintaining adequate and capable personnel to perform the work which is resulting in delays in billing, numerous customer complaints, and delayed revenue.
The Department of Public Works is considering changes to the method of collecting water meter data from manual and “drive-by” readings to an automated system where the readings are done via a radio transmitter or cellular connection. This technology is much more accurate and more timely than manual reads. It is also much more customer responsive and it provides technology that improves the operation efficiency of the water distribution system. Numerous municipal water utilities in the Metropolitan area have either already employed or are in the process of employing this technology. It is anticipated that it will take approximately 3 years to fully implement this technology. Initiation of procurement is expected before the end of 2024 and completion by the end of 2027.
Scope of Work: n/a
Community Impact: Utilizing AMI water meters will improve customer service by allowing real-time data collection without the need to send staff or a contractor to read the water meter. This will result in more accurate water bills that are provided to customers more efficiently.
Department Recommendation: After the presentation to the BOC, the Department of Public Works intends to develop a request for proposal for AMI that will be awarded by the Board of Commissioners in the near future.
Project Implications: There are no project implications
Community Issues/Concerns: None relative to the presentation
Department Issues/Concerns: None relative to the presentation
Fiscal Impact / Funding Source
Funding Line 1:
n/a