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KI <br />AMI Feasibility Report I Client Name: City of Santa Ana <br />they are still evolving and delivering ever increasing value, so implementing manual or drive-by <br />AMR solutions today not only is a matter of today's cost differences versus benefit differences but <br />also the opportunity costs of not having the smart water platform provided by AMI systems that <br />can be leveraged into the future. <br />Drive-By(AMR) <br />One Read Per Billing Period <br />Figure 4 Evolution of Water Meter Reading <br />5.1 MANUAL READINGS <br />Fixed Network (AMI) <br />Hourly Reads Received Daily <br />Manual meter reading relies on utility personnel physically visiting the meters and recording the <br />register reads. While meter readers initially used paper route books, this was long -ago replaced <br />with handheld devices onto which the specific meter routes to be read are downloaded, which <br />provides some error checking and exception management. However, even with the supporting <br />technology, this remains a labor intensive and expensive component of utility operations. And as <br />with all human operations, this is more prone to error than an automated process. <br />5.2 AMR <br />An AMR system provides the functionality to automate meter reads without the need for a utility to <br />install a smart metering network. AMR would support the transition to monthly billing. Each meter <br />is either replaced with a new meter that is fitted with an MTU or the existing meters are retrofitted <br />with a compatible MTU. MTUs are usually separate devices that are connected to the water meter, <br />they are not an integrated part of the water meter itself (unless it is an integrated meter). An AMR <br />system receives its meter readings through a handheld or vehicle mounted data collection device <br />(DCD). For the DCD to function properly, it needs to be in relative proximity to the meter. At the end <br />of each day, the DCD is connected to a centralized application, so that the meter reading <br />information can be uploaded. If reads were not obtained from particular meters, a return visit to <br />the site will be required to obtain the reads. <br />5.3 ADVANCED METERING INFRASTRUCTURE <br />A full AMI system incorporates the installation of a secure data transmission network with MTUs <br />installed on every meter in the field. During standard operations for an AMI system meter readings <br />25G-136 <br />