A Decade of Smart Water Success

Kamstrup’s ultrasonic meters in 2016, the utility has transitioned from crisis response to innovation leadership—proving that even the most rugged terrain can support advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). 

Recently, the team from Kamstrup reconnected with Talisa Bradley, Billing Processor for EBCI Water & Sewer to see how their metering system is performing after nearly a decade in operation—what’s working, what’s changed, and how far they’ve come on their path to utility independence. 

The EBCI began by replacing every meter in its system with Kamstrup’s flowIQ® ultrasonic meters, installed with support from Fortiline Waterworks. They also upgraded their billing software—laying the foundation for better data, faster response times, and a better customer experience. 

The Results

The improvements were immediate and measurable: 

• Water Loss Dropped by 80%: Unaccounted-for water loss was slashed from 48% to just 8.76%, according to a recent study with the North Carolina Rural Water Association.
• Leaks Found and Fixed - Fast: Acoustic Leak Detection (ALD) meters have become essential tools. Starting with just 20 ALD meters deployed, the EBCI uncovered significant mainline leaks, including one exploded PRV valve, gushing 100 gallons per minute. An early test run even caught a residential leak of 3.72 gallons per minute—before the customer knew anything was wrong.
• Billing Got Faster and Fairer: With more accurate meters and upgraded software, customers now know what to expect from monthly bills. Reads that once took days now arrive before midnight on the first of each month—even in AMR mode. The reliable AMI network has made it possible to maintain a 30-day billing cycle, bringing rate stabilization and consistency to customers.
• Meters Built to Last: Not a single Kamstrup meter has failed due to malfunction since installation in 2016—only a few due to extreme freezing. With durability like this, EBCI staff expect to go at least another decade without worry.
• Winter Protection and Real-Time Alerts: Thanks to ambient temperature alarms, the utility now receives text messages when meter boxes drop to 34°F. Staff can proactively check meters before freezing damage occurs, saving money and avoiding outages.
• Increased Revenue and Confidence: More accurate measurement has translated into more consistent revenue—strengthening the utility’s financial foundation and preparing it for future growth. 

From AMR to AMI - and Beyond

With Kamstrup’s AMI infrastructure available in the U.S. by 2019, EBCI moved ahead with its long-term plan to upgrade. A successful propagation study—despite steep, tree-covered terrain—cleared the way for full AMI deployment by mid-2020. The results exceeded expectations. Today, the EBCI AMI network includes 7 collectors, covering 57,000 acres of mountainous terrain achieving an average monthly read rate of +99%.  

Looking forward, the Tribe’s utility team envisions a system that empowers customers as much as operators.   

To read the original case study and watch the video, click here.