Getting Smarter with Advanced
Metering Infrastructure
Dave Hughes
American Water
Bentley Be Conference
May 19, 2010
AMI for Water Utilities Best Practices for
Selection, Acquisition & Implementation
American Water
Largest investor-owned
water services provider
in North America
 Serves 16.2 million
people
 Operations in 32 states
and Canada
 7,000 employees
308 individual service
areas
Utility Only
71,500 km (45,000 miles)
O&M Only
of distribution mains
Both
Presentation Outline

AMI Terminology and How AMI Works

AMI and Improving Water System
Operations

AMI and Improving Hydraulic Models

AMI Fostering a Fit Between
Operations & Models
AMR/AMI Terminology

AMR - automated process that collects readings from customers’
meters without directly accessing the meter and can export reads to
a remote central location

AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) automated process that
collects readings and other data, typically without going to the meter
site, often two way communication to facilitate data transfer

Ancillary devices
– Actuators - using the AMI communication network to operate
equipment (e.g., customer shut-off valves)
– Sensors – using AMI communication to process information from
monitors other than meters (e.g., leak detectors)

Intelligent meters – Reading devices with internal data
storage/analysis capabilities to provide information/alerts to
supersede or supplement readings

Interval Reads - providing multiple period water usage data at
predetermined or remotely configurable time intervals with
individual collection transmissions
Advanced Metering Infrastructure
First Hop (“LAN”)
MIU
Transponder
Repeater
Com
Link 1
Transponder
Encoder
Intelligent
CPU, Memory
Other Sensor
Encoder
Actuator
Meter
Backhaul (“WAN”)
Data
Coll.
Unit
Com
Link 2
Receiver
Application
Software
Hardware
CIS
Other
Systems
Host Controller
Meter Data
Management
System
(Database)
Mesh Network Architecture and Speed
“Modified” or “partial” Mesh Network
MIU
MIU
DCU
MIU
DCU
MIU
Collector/
Gateway
MIU
MIU
MIU
MIU
MIU
DCU
MIU
DCU
MIU
MIU
MIU
MIU
MIU
MIU
“Full”
Mesh
Network
MIU
Improving Water System Operations

Meter selection and accuracy

Non Revenue Water Evaluation (DMA)

System Leak Monitoring

System Backflow

Water Quality Monitoring
Fixed Network Radio AMI Requirements

Two way communication with MIU

Synchronized time

Programmable MIU units

Battery Power!

Smart Mesh
Photos courtesy
Sensus
Photo courtesy
Itron
Photo courtesy
Aclara
Meter Age/Registration Change
•
•
How long should meters be left in service?
Most meters last a long time, only a few fail
Function of: meter cost, installation cost, cost of water (&
WW), volume passed, inflation rates, discount rate, rate of
accuracy decline
•
100
Accuracy
80
y = -0.2654x + 101.15
60
40
20
0
0.00
5.00
10.00
15.00
20.00
25.00
30.00
Yrs in Service
(Data courtesy Kansas City Water Services Dept.)
Large Meter Replacement Doubled Total
Registration
350.0
300.0
Pre-Exchange Actual ADC
250.0
Post-Exchange ADC
200.0
150.0
100.0
50.0
0.0
1
3
5
7
9
11
Data courtesy
San Diego
13
15 17
19 Water
21 Department
23 25 27
29
31
33
35
37
39
41
43
AMI Can Support
Large Meter Management

Right-sizing analysis

Right-typing analysis

Flow profile
(depends on time interval)
30,000
low flow
25,000
high flow
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
3/
2/
20
09
3/
3/
20
09
3/
4/
20
09
3/
5/
20
09
3/
6/
20
09
3/
7/
20
09
3/
8/
20
09
3/
9/
20
09
3/
10
/2
00
9
3/
11
/2
00
9
3/
12
/2
00
9
3/
13
/2
00
9
-
District Metering

Areas of the system receive
water supply from limited,
metered mains. When metered
use (overnight flow) is
unusually high, that DMA is
targeted for a leak survey.
– Districts allow leak survey teams
to focus on problem areas.
– District metering promotes step
testing to find leaks.
– District metering quantifies leak
for water audit analysis.
AMI Can Help Track and Identify
Non-Revenue Water
Supply to system
Variable NRW level suggests
source is meter error or theft
Controllable NRW constant level
suggests source is leakage
NRW
Supply to system
NRW
Metered Usage
Metered Usage
Sensors Expand AMI Applicability

Distribution system leak detection
 Conservation
 Backflow detection
 Automatic shutoff
 Pressure sensors
Using AMI for Continuous
Acoustic Monitoring (CAM)

Acoustic monitoring interfaces to AMI
systems to provide routine leak detection
– FCS Permalog attaches to valve nut in street,
transmits separately from meters
– Gutermann Zone Scan units attach to valve
nut, transmitter housed in valve box.
Developing remote correlation capability.
– Itron MLOG units attach to service line

Find small leaks sooner, when they are
easier to repair and can be scheduled
 Reduce crews or improve service level
MLOG Acoustic Monitor
 Installed near a water meter.
 Easily strapped to service pipe or
meter
 Maintenance-free, now able to
survive meter pit environment.
 Battery Life – Radio MLOG 8 years
and Fixed Network 15 years.
 Fixed Network AMR sends data to
host on website daily. Mobile Units,
a separate controller unit acquires
up to 11 days of history.
Permalog Acoustic Monitor

Installed on operating nut of
water valves. Magnetic bottom
secures unit

Newer model more robust for
valve box environment

Battery Life 5–10 years

Unit sends leak or no leak
condition through to network,
Datamatic will send data

For Mobile Units, a separate
controller unit acquires data
StarZoneScan Acoustic Monitor

Installed on operating nut of
water valves. Magnetic bottom
secures unit

Connects directly to AMR
Transmitter in valve box

Battery Life – 10 years

Fixed Network AMR sends
condition through network

Zone Scans to be used to
correlate leaks.
Fixed Network & CAM
Data
Collector
Units
CAM
SOFTWARE
Meter
Reads,
Meter
Status
Acoustic (leak) Data
Billing Meter reads
Acoustic
(leak) Data
Meter
Transmitter
Units
Billing, and recent Meter reads
Selected Reports
Selected
Meter reads
MLOG
Water
Meter
Water
Meter
Water
Meter
American Water Computer
Schematic courtesy of Hexagram
The Meter/AMR/AMI/Acoustic
Monitoring Relationship Maze
Meters
Network AMI
Acoustic Monitors
Aclara
Neptune
Gutermann
Neptune
Badger
Itron
Mueller Systems
Actaris
Elster
Metron Farnier
Datamatic
Itron MLOG
Itron 2nd generation
Metrotech
Badger
Permalog
Sensus
Elster
Echologics
Mueller
Systems
Sensus
KP Electronics
Using Acoustic Monitors

Deploy units about every block. Leaks are detected usually up to
400 feet (some systems 1000 feet). Leak sound does dissipate
over distance especially where pipe materials changes from metal
to plastic and back.

User detection skills improve with experience. In time, history and
knowledge of background noise sources helps discern between
leak and other noise.

Pinpointing leaks normally accomplished by one technician and
leak noise correlator in between 30-90 minutes.

Correlators can be compromised by daytime noise. Mixed results
from overnight correlation units.
How Continuous Acoustic
Monitoring Works

Monitor “listens” and identifies the minimum
sound in intervals in early morning hours.

The single nightly data point broken down into
frequencies associated with leak noise and
shows the leak noise frequencies .

The monitor reports on highest differential
between lowest noise displayed and highest
overnight sound.

The software interprets changes and magnitude
of sounds to rate the location as a possible
source of a leak.
Continuous Leak Survey Data
There is a typical brief
initial noise peak as
leaking pipe smoothes
and moves soil away
from pipe
The software displays a history showing the noise level at each day.
Find the Leak that Never Surfaces
This leak
was
destined to
flow to the
nearby river
or into the
storm sewer
above
without
coming to
the surface
for years.
Found by
acoustic
monitoring
Initial Results 2005
487 MLOG leak detecting sensors
were installed in Connellsville in
Spring 2005.

From June to December 2005 46
leaks were reported in Connellsville
(18 in 2003, 12 in 2004).

24 of the 46 leaks were identified by
acoustic monitors and repaired in
advance of surfacing. Another 10
were MLOG identified before
surfacing but appeared before repair
made. The remaining 12 surfaced
and were repaired.

With the reduction of blowoff flow
and leaks, flow is consistently down
about 255,000-285,000 gpd in 2006.
NRW Volume Connellsville, 2006
140
annual flow (gpm) of detected leaks

120
NRW volume 12 month average
100
80
60
40
20
0
1/1/2006
4/1/2006
7/1/2006
10/1/2006
Piloting Results Connellsville 2005-2008

200 leaks occurred during period of which
154 detectable. Undetectable leaks largely
due to sudden breaks.

Of the 154 leaks, 64 (42%) were detected
and repaired before surfacing and 31 (20%)
were detected acoustically but surfaced
before repairs were made.

The major cause for not detecting overnight
leaks (38%) is believed to be the use of
plastic and repair clamps for ferrous pipe
main repairs that lessen leak noise
transmission.
Evaluating the Benefits/Costs of
AMI-Based CAM

Significant leakage and non-revenue water?
– Minimal payback if there are few leaks to find

What kind of leakage?
– Acoustic monitoring best at finding hidden leakage

How much are leaks costing?
– Beneficial if your water is expensive and/or scarce.
Staff/crews available to pinpoint, repair promptly?
MOBILE AMR/MLOG Reduction
25.0%
20.0%
15.0%
10.0%
NRW change from MOBILE AMR
5.0%
NRW change from FIXED NETWORK AMR
0.0%
0.
0%
3.
0%
6.
0%
9.
0%
12
.0
%
15
.0
%
18
.0
%
21
.0
%
24
.0
%
27
.0
%
30
.0
%
33
.0
%
36
.0
%
39
.0
%
42
.0
%
45
.0
%
48
.0
%

INCREMENTAL Benefit/Cost of AMI
Acoustic Leak Detection
Direct Benefits
Improved
reduction in water losses
Reduction
in leak detection staffing
and equipment
Direct Costs
Sensors,
installation
Additional
leak detection
crews
Ongoing
sensor repair,
replacement
Computer,
Indirect Benefits
Indirect Costs
Improved
reduction in risk/cost of
major failures
Additional
Unit
Additional
repairs less costly
Extended
Better
Better
life of mains
perception of system reliability
understanding of
replacement needs
software
X
cost
of digging up mains
cost of
main and service
repairs
Backflow Alerts

Water running backwards is a sign
of poor operation, emergency or
improper customer activity

Intelligent meters are capturing
backflow alarms internally

The WaterRF project
demonstrated the feasibility of
direct alarms to alert operators of
system problems

“Backflow alerts” also provided
indication of meter issue.
Sample data
Field Test Results – PA system

Installed 60 backflow
meters out of 5000 meters
– locations strategically
selected

Found 13 instances of
backflow in one year from
six locations
– 24 instances, 11
locations in 2 years
– Some patterns from
main breaks
– Several locations
suggest pump surge
issues and warrant
further investigation
Other Monitoring applications

Continuous Water Pressure
Monitoring
– Useful method to calibrate hydraulic model
or spot system anomalies
– Unexpected low pressure during high flow
periods suggests unexpected demand
(theft?) or poor hydraulic conditions (low C
factors or closed valves)
– Unexpected low pressure during all flow
conditions suggests leakage.
– Could place on hydrants and equip with
alarms to spot authorized and unauthorized
hydrant use
Other Monitoring applications

Water Temperature Monitoring
– Changes in temperature (associated with surface water supplies in
temperate climates) may be a trigger for water main failures
– Abnormal changes in temperature may indicate higher flow into an
area or water quality issue.
Water Quality Monitoring and
Drinking Water Security
 Monitoring as a precaution to threats
– Intentional:
• Physical - (i.e. arson, cyber-attack, sabotage, terrorism, vandalism)
• Psychological - (i.e. hoaxes, incitement of panic, misinformation)
– Unintentional:
• Intrinsic system failure- Computer and system component failures
• Cascading effect failures- Source water contamination from chemical
spills, power loss
Early warning could avoid or mitigate impact of such attacks
Deploying Water Quality Monitors

What parameters to monitor

Types of monitors
-
Contaminant detection,
communications & reliability

On-line data management (alarms)

Selecting sites for sensor deployment

Cost estimates for sensor deployment
Multi-parameter Water Quality Monitors –
Probe Systems
Sensor Reliability
Percent Adjustment
100
90
Uncorrected
80
70
60
Corrected
(5%-25%)
Deleted
(>25%)
50
40
30
20
10
0
Temp
SC
Chlorine
pH
ORP
DO
Turbidity
(212,846) (212,778)(110,135) (212,846) (150,468)(132,308) (132,308)
Sensor (number of measurements)
Making Sense of Sensors
Determining anomalies (alarms) from WQ data:
 Need to identify baseline water quality information &
understand sensitivity
 Have sound sensor QC to determine performance issues
 Ascertain impact of environmental
parameters on baseline
or
operational
 Define degree of deviations from baseline that would
constitute an alarm
Sensor Location
Cost of Units forces optimization




Contaminant concentration
Injection site
Duration (or rate) of injection
Exposure
All non-zero demand nodes
assumed to be equally
vulnerable to introduction of
the biological or chemical
contaminants.
Time delay from detection
to implementation of a
mitigation response
assumed to be zero.
Practical Locations
Optimal Locations
Actuators: Remote Shutoff Valves




Can be operated by fixed
network and mobile AMI
Open, closed and “trickle”
position
Self-exercising
Issues with installation,
regulations, cost.
Shutoff Valve Economics
High cost to install
throughout a system
–
–
–
–
–
PORTABLE
TRANSCEIVER

WATER METER
Units are expensive
Risk of vandalism
Cost to adjust plumbing
Control units have cost
Where is the payback
Potentially useful for
property transfers, vacation
properties, collections,
multiple feed customers.
WATER VALVE
PORTABLE UNIT
WATER METER
WATER VALVE
TRANSCEIVER
WATER METER

WATER VALVE
I - PHONE
WATER METER
WATER VALVE
AMI Can Improve Hydraulic Models

Demand analysis

Pressure Monitoring
AMI Fostering the Merger of Model & Ops

System Anamolies
Hydraulic Models and Demand

Customer accounts can be assigned by code to
nodes in model and hourly interval data can be
derived by AMI and incorporated
– Average day
– Peak day
– Variations for temperature/season

Use in a neighborhood can be assigned for
projecting growth
Pressure Monitoring

System pressures can be gathered from
field monitors to find anomalies.
– Low pressure regardless of demand suggests
continuous flow (leakage)
– Low pressure that follows high demand
suggests closed valves, lower C valves in pipes
– Sudden drops in pressures at some sites (like
hydrants may help identify illegal water use
Ultimate Modeling

Pressure and use can follow predictable patterns
depending on day of week, temperature and recent
precipitation.

Imagine dialing into model these parameters and
obtaining predicted levels of pressure and flow and
comparing to field data.

Sudden deviations from model can be used to track
leaks, maintenance activities (flushing) and other
unusual events.

Impacts of new mains, pump changes can be
evaluated and model recalibrated.
Questions
Dave Hughes
david.hughes@amwater.com
856 346 8320
AMR/AMI Technology Risk Management

Technical obsolescence

Lack of standards

Lack of interoperability

Application and third party software

Battery life

Excessive failure rates; system failures, product recalls

Radio frequency incursion

Programming errors