Savannah Standard

SAVANNAH – The City of Savannah and its contractors will begin the first phase of the system-wide implementation of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) or “smart” meters for its water customers starting in mid-June 2023. AMI meters collect real-time water usage information and transmit that data to the City via a cellular signal. The benefits of AMI meters include more accurate field data collection for use in customer bill calculation, reduced manual meter reading allowing staff to work on other water system tasks and projects, and improved data analysis to promote water conservation efforts.

“Smart meters will modernize a key component of our water infrastructure and the City is excited to start introducing this new technology and its benefits to our customers,” said Terri Harrison, City of Savannah Director of Advanced Metering Infrastructure. “We also appreciate our customers’ patience, as a project of this scope does require a multi-phase approach that will take some time to fully implement. We want to let our utility customers know we are committed to delivering the highest level of service in the timeliest manner.” 

The City completed a successful AMI pilot project in the first quarter of 2023. In the pilot, City staff worked with meter installation contractors Badger Meters and Utility Partners of America (UPA) to replace 1,082 manually read meters with new smart meters. In the first phase of system-wide implementation, a total of 10,000 water meters will be upgraded to AMI meters. The first phase is expected to conclude in December 2023. 

The City asks customers to make sure their water meter is never obstructed by landscaping or any other objects in their yard. For more information about the AMI project, including an informational video, visit www.savannahga.gov/smartmeters.

Original source can be found here.