The City will kick off its ATL READ Automated Meter Reading (AMR) project at 1 p.m. on March 20 at the corner of Lena and Stafford streets in the Hunter Hills community. The City is beginning a program to install AMR capability in the 150,000 water meters throughout its drinking water system. The $35 million, three-year project will involve the retrofit/replacement of the City’s commercial and residential meters. Aged, non-functioning meters will be replaced with new meters fitted with the AMR device. The device will be installed on existing meters that are still functioning properly.
AMR technology allows water usage data to be collected and transmitted electronically, ensuring the accuracy of bills and cutting the time it takes to read individual meters. Customers whose meters must be replaced may experience a temporary interruption of service. Once replaced, meters will be covered with a locked lid to prevent tampering and meter damage.
The City began the AMR pilot project in northwest and west Atlanta neighborhoods in December. AMR installation will continue in those areas and begin in North Fulton and Sandy Springs.
“The Automated Meter Reading project is another in a long line of initiatives the Department is undertaking to ensure that our bills are accurate and reflect exact customer usage,” said Commissioner Rob Hunter. “It will help us reduce our operating expenses and identify potential leaks and other distribution system problems, as well as meter malfunctions, vandalism and tampering.”
Vehicles equipped with the AMR technology will be available to transport any media wishing to see a demonstration of the system.