Installation & Deployment of AMI Fixed Base Network by Bob Benninger

1. Installation & Deployment of AMI Fixed Base Networkby Bob Benninger Director, Water Operations Western Virginia Water Authority robert.benninger@westernvawater.org 540.853.5750 March 13, 2013

2. Welcome • The Western Virginia Water Authority was formed in 2004. • Water and sanitary sewer service is provided to customers in the City of Roanoke, Roanoke County and Franklin County. • Water sources include a variety of surface and groundwater sources which provide 20 MGD of drinking water. • Total of 59,700 commercial & residential water meters The Western Virginia Water Authority is located in the Roanoke Valley

3. Energy Performance-Based Contract • Explored various options to accelerate the implementation of automatic meter reading (AMR) technology and to address the issue of real and apparent water loss throughout the distribution system • Contracted with an Energy Services Company (ESCO) qualified to provide a turn-key energy and operational efficiency program • Performed a detailed survey of Authority water infrastructure, facilities and systems to identify recommended improvements • Performed an analysis to establish baseline water meter accuracy, water loss, energy and operational costs and savings guarantee parameters • Honeywell was selected as the most qualified ESCO we interviewed. Virginia Code §11-34.3 “Energy Performance-Based Contract Procedures” authorizes governmental units to enter into guaranteed energy cost savings contracts not to exceed 20 years.

4. Investment Grade Audit • Honeywell looked at the existing conditions and current assets • What were some areas of opportunity? • Financial Justification: Was the outcome worth the investment? (results were guaranteed) • Audit Included: • Meter Testing • Non-revenue water program including hydraulic modeling, zone metering & leak detection • AMI/AMR Propagation • Energy Conservation • Audit completed in 4 to 6 months during calendar year 2011 If the results of the investment grade audit showed the project would not be feasible, the Authority would not be charged.

5. Project Scope • Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) upgrades • Temperature control retrofits • Lighting improvements • Pump replacements • Peak-shaving generator installation • Water meter replacements & zone meter installations “The $32-million project aims to increase meter accuracy, improve leak detection and reduce carbon dioxide emissions for the Authority — all without adverse impact to the operating budget.”

6. Definitions What is AMR?Automated Meter Reading • A process whereby utility meters are read remotely with electronic technology, minimizing or eliminating need to obtain physical access to the meter or to estimate reads while acquiring register reading and other data. What is AMI?Advanced Metering Infrastructure • Metering system that records customer consumption hourly or more frequently and that provides for daily or more frequent transmittal of measurements over a communication network to a central collection point. Prior to this project, 35% of the Western Virginia Water Authority’s meters used AMR technology. All meters in the City of Roanoke and Roanoke County were replaced with meters utilizing AMI technology.

7. Meter Technology • Sensus iPerl • Used for all ⅝, ¾ and 1-inch meters • Electromagnetic flow measurement system • Integrated unit that incorporates an electronic register and measuring device encased in an external housing. • The iPERL system has a 20-year life cycle, along with a 20-year battery life guarantee Sensus Omni meters • Used for all 1.5-inch and larger meters • Electronic register reads in gallons or gallons x10 • 10-year battery life guarantee

8. Fixed-Base Network ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) Electronic meters transmit water consumption readings throughout the day Base stations collect data and transmit readings to the Authority’s billing system Computer servers store all meter data Customer service representatives can instantly view meter readings and notify customers of potential leaks. Estimated bills will be eliminated.

9. Options for Backhaul • Various options were considered for the backhaul of data from the antenna (TGB) units to the server • Considerations included current needs as well as future applications • Options included using routers, wireless cell modem connectivity or a wireless IP broadband mesh

10. Data Backhaul Wireless modem for backhaul • The Authority elected to use a Verizon wireless cellullar modem system for the backhaul of meter reading data. • Utilities can elect to use their own servers or use a hosted site. • There are several technology options available for the backhaul of data, and the Authority did consider other options. Sensus hosted the Authority’s server while a new Regional Network Interface (RNI) was constructed.

11. Router Technology • Routers relay user data towired network • About 10% to 20% of the routers are gateways that have a connection to a wired network (e.g., an intranet or the Internet) • Routers wirelessly relay traffic between clients and gateway • 2.4, and 5 GHz mesh links supported • Industry-standard security (e.g., AES) supported • Redundant wireless links provide high reliability Internet or Intranet

12. Wireless Connectivity • Routers connect nearby vehicles, equipment and people • Each router provides wireless connections to nearby infrastructure (e.g., AMR/AMI collectors, cameras), utility vehicles and people • Connectivity is available to both stationary or moving vehicles

13. Propagation Analysis Benefits • Required to configure AMI infrastructure • Crucial to proper system operation • Allows for accurate Cost/Benefit Analysis • Analysis clearly identifies cost for base station infrastructure as well as incremental cost to capture outlying areas so informed decision can be made for total system layout • Helps determine migration path of system • Propagation analysis will show if minimum redundancy (1.6) is achieved. • Redundancy is needed in case of TGB failure, weather or equipment malfunction. • Authority network has redundancy of 3.54.

14. Rt. 311 Belle Haven Tank Hollins Tank Loch Haven Tank Summit Ridge Tank I-81 Bradshaw E-911 Tower I-581 I-81 12 O’Clock Knob Tower Franklin Road Tank Oriole Lane Tank Forest Edge Tank Rt. 221 Propagation Analysis Mill Mountain Tower

15. Propagation Analysis Challenges • Mounting assets – Location, ownership, lease costs, height • Special use permits • Accuracy/Availability of customer service addresses • Backhaul connectivity/methodology • Geography/Topography – Roanoke sits in a valley in the Blue Ridge Mountains

16. Meter Replacement • No loss of Authority jobs • Contracted labor was hired from the local area • Replace meters based on age, accuracy, application, and compatibility • 57,683 residential meters were replaced • Over 2,000 commercial meters were replaced • Hybrid AMI/AMR system • All of the City of Roanoke and Roanoke County area are served by an AMI system • Franklin County is served by AMR system

17. Residential Meters • 57,683 residential meters replaced • Pre-installation preparation • Retrofit/Replace existing meters with AMI/AMR ready register and new transmitter • Quality control Honeywell contracted with an outside vendor to assist in residential meter replacements.

18. Residential Meters Customer notification about the project was branded with Saving Water · Saving Energy • Saving Water · Saving Energy link to page on Authority’s website • Media messages • Bill inserts explaining benefits • Door hangers on day of meter conversion • Designated phone line for questions • Customers had concerns-questions about holes in meter lids and smart point covers

19. Commercial Meters • Particular attention paid to large meters (>3”) as these are your largest consumers • Large meters can be replaced, retrofitted, or re-built depending on circumstance • Specially trained crews minimize potential problems • Goal was to leave large meters in a setting that will allow for future accuracy testing Commercial meter replacement requires careful coordination with your customer to minimize critical service disruption.

20. Hybrid AMI/AMR System • Fixed network AMI deployed in Roanoke County & City of Roanoke • Vehicle AMR deployed in Franklin County • Leverage existing meter/AMR infrastructure • Central AMI infrastructure installed first • Meter and transmitter were generally installed by billing routes

21. Data Collection • Consumption can be displayed over a period of time – daily or hourly readings are available. • Real time readings help identify leaks and answer customers’ questions about consumption and demand. • Changes in consumption that point towards a leak can now be identified in real-time instead of in weeks or months.

22. System-Wide Leak Detection Program • In order to address water loss, first perform a system-wide audit to generate key performance indicators (KPIs). Use the results to prioritize activities. • Activities include: • Leak detection • Pressure management • Faster break repair times • Line replacement projects • Condition assessment • Operational modifications • Leak Detection Techniques • System-wide surveys • Permanent monitors • Semi-permanent monitors • Hydraulic modeling • Zone metering Sometimes it is obvious where water loss is occurring. However, a large percentage of water loss can go undetected for weeks or months.

23. Zone Metering Program • Develop a water audit utilizing v4.2 of software developed by the AWWA Water Loss Control Committee • Use hydraulic model, system maps, topography to identify zones, selecting a few pilot areas to test feasibility and establish benchmark performance • Install zone meters to measure flow in and out of zones to determine unbilled water loss • Monitor nighttime flows to identify zones with high background leakage • Evaluate potential for pressure reducing valves to manage pressures in each zone to reduce water loss The zone metering program is integrated with the leak detection program. The Authority ultimately identified 175 zones.

24. Utilizing Your Data • Condition Assessment • Verify pipe replacement need to avoid unnecessary costs • Develop custom leak graphics, using data from AMI and zone meters • Utilization of insertable video cameras do not require dewatering of water lines • Inform and prioritize leak detection activities, CIP and condition assessment activities In combination with line replacement, condition assessment identifies areas for further investigation and capital improvement funding.

25. Utilizing Your Data • Line Replacement Projects • Develop age-deterioration curves and apply to system piping database • Sample representative portion of different pipe materials in system in areas influenced by different sources, due to water quality (hardness) impacts • Group areas of high concern/risk and incorporate historical breaks (criticality) Water pipe by year installed is just one way to look at your infrastructure conditions.

26. Project Financing • Project funding provided through Virginia Resources Authority • VRA’s bond issuance provided interest rate of 3.07% • Projected savings from project cover debt service and provide net savings Debt service repayment was structured to begin after the construction was completed, coinciding with the realized program benefits.

27. Financial Summary

28. The Future of AMI Systems • More AMI systems for water utilities evolve into full 2-way communication networks • District Metered Areas (DMA) or automated leak detection systems become a more common practice • Battery-powered, remote solenoid disconnect/limiting valves • In-home displays (devices separate from the utility website) & Home Area Network (HAN) devices • Improve water quality by incorporating system pressure sensors, water quality sensors, and water temperature probes into AMI system

29. The Future of AMI Systems • Complement existing SCADA system by using real-time data to adjust elevations in storage tanks, change flow rates during peak periods, adjust system pressures, and adjust chlorination levels • Utilizing data from the AMI system for accurate hydraulic modeling (average day demand, peak day demand, peak hour demand) • Wireless cell modem was selected for data backhaul due to cost considerations. Ultimate goal would be to utilize wireless mesh network

30. Project Benefits • For the Customer….. • Improved customer service • Faster leak detection • Improved billing accuracy • No estimated bills • Allows the utility to be proactive vs. reactive “Thank you so much for the quick notice about my possible leak. You saved me a lot of money and water. As the “silent flush” toilet in the basement lived up to its name, I wouldn’t have known about the leak unless you contacted me.”

31. Project Benefits • For the Authority….. • Reduction in real and apparent water loss & improved leak detection • Enhanced/Modernized Infrastructure • Reduction in meter re-reads and work orders • Reduced energy and operating costs • Improved SCADA performance through improved communication technologies • Free-up resources to complete other initiatives • Over $400,000 received by recycling the scrap metal from old meters • Financial solutions with guaranteed results • Net positive cash flow to Authority

32. Please contact us if you are interested in more information about our Installation & Deployment of the AMI Fixed Base NetworkBob Benninger Director of Water Operations Western Virginia Water Authority robert.benninger@westernvawater.org 540.853.5750