Kingsport Moves to Automated Meters to Improve Efficiency, Accuracy KINGSPORT – Replacing 36,213 water meters is no small task, but the Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen has embarked on a program to replace old-tech water meters with high-tech Automated Meter Reading system. Using the automated system, which radios meter readings to a passing vehicle within a half-mile, will require less manpower, reduce fleet fuel consumption and more quickly identify possible water leaks. Under the contract with Johnson Controls, the city is guaranteed $909,503 in savings each year, while installation is estimated at $864,973 annually. "Staff believes this is a significant efficiency well worth the effort," City Manager John Campbell said Tuesday. "This new technology reads meters via a radio signal that is sent to a computer mounted in a city vehicle, which means employees no longer need to walk through neighborhoods to reach each water meter." The new AMR system will also significantly reduce labor required for each billing cycle, while also improving billing accuracy and customer service. "The beauty of this contract is that it falls within the annual maintenance budget of the water department, and will not cost customers anything extra," Public Works Director Ryan McReynolds said. "At the same time, the manufacturer indicates a 99 percent reading accuracy rating along with a 20-year life cycle for the meter itself." Designed with maximum flexibility in mind, the new AMR system could be upgraded at some point in the future that could virtually eliminate the need for a service vehicle by automating the entire process with improved transponders. Water customers can expect minimal disruption throughout the installation process, which is scheduled to begin in early fall and continue through next summer. Installation takes about 30 minutes per meter to complete and does require water to be turned off to the home during installation. Be sure to sign-up for great Kingsport shopping deals at www.KingsportDeals.com If you would like to receive "good news" about Kingsport, please write to jeff_fleming@earthlink.net Please feel free to forward this to a friend. Best Regards Jeff Fleming | jeff_fleming@earthlink.net This email was sent to jefffleming37660.zaxdad@blogger.com, at your request. If you wish to unsubscribe from this list click here. MailMonster Inc. is not responsible for the content in this E-mail. Please report Spam to Abuse@MailMonster.com .template_slogan{ font-family : Arial; font-size : 22px; font-weight : bold; color: #FFD600; font-style:italic; } .address_line{ font-family : Arial; font-size : 10px; font-weight : none; color: #000000; font-style:none; }