Learning a new AMR system, even for the experienced water professional, can sound like a daunting task, as technology is rapidly changing. However, as Hank Zwart describes his first training session with his long-time lead foreman, it proves that choosing Kamstrup’s user-friendly meter reading system makes all the difference.
“I just set up my lead foreman in his truck to read meters city-wide for the first time. We were in the parking lot at City Hall and after a short training and review session, we hit “START” [on the READy smartphone app]. I knew what was going to happen so I was able to watch Tom’s face for his reaction. First, it was shock from all of the noise emanating from his phone for the 32 reads collected in less than five seconds. Then, this 60+ year old Master Plumber who has worked for Prescott Utilities for over 20 years turned into a smiling, laughing and giggling five-year-old. PRICELESS!”
in 2013-2014, in which insufficient data collection made it nearly impossible to adjust customers’ bills after being instructed to leave their water running.
Smart meters that store the data internally avoid this problem; inside every Kamstrup smart water meter is a small computer chip that stores daily consumption for 460 rolling days, and includes ambient and water temperatures, leak, burst,
dry, and tamper alarm codes.
The strength of the built-in radio of flowIQ® means that even with basement installations (which are known to reduce the strength of radio signals) the city did not have to use any external antennae. This is a significant cost savings, as most other meters would require an external antenna for every meter, which would add costs to the meter reading system.
– Hank Zwart, Director of Public Works