2015-245 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

usage data available, meters are embedded with radio frequency transmitters (MIU's). The meters send radio signals that are received or picked up by Datla Collector Units (DCU's). The DCU's are installed throughout the service area on water tanks, antennas, and buildings. Langham Consulting Services (see application section B-5e) has already evaluated the IRCDUS service area and concluded that the existing fiber optic network system, data flow antennas, and three elevated water tanks will accommodate the needed DCU's reducing the necessity of building such DCU sites from scratch. The DCU's are used to transmit meter readings back to IRCDUS's centralized administration and billing center. Through the use of intuitive software specific to AMI systems, IRCDUS will have the ability to monitor real-time usage data, evaluate normal usage patterns at the customer level and quickly identify usage outside of the typical usage patterns. Within the software, IRCDUS will set parameters whereas certain usage patterns are flagged or alarmed. Such usage patterns will be continuous flow for a time period over 24 hours. This particular usage pattern usually relates to a leak. Once this data is!received, IRCDUS staff will contact the customer and/or investigate the sight in order to determine if indeed there is a leak or other source of wasteful use. Another parameter that will be built into the software will be to alarm for use that may be related to de irrigation that is not within the parameters of the SJRWMD water restrictions. Again, IRCDUS will contact the customer. Initially, these efforts will be primarily to educate the customer about the restrictions and also offer suggestions for wiser irrigation methods. Conserving Water by Reducing Leaks and Reducing Irrigation Data provided from the Environmental ProtectionlAgency's (EPA) Water Sense Program states some facts regarding household leaks. The average household's leaks can account for more than 10,000 gallons wasted every year. Ten percent of homes have leaks that waste more than 90 gallons per day (gpd). Common household leaks consist of worn toilet flappers, dripping shower heads and faucets. By notifying customers within hours or days of the alarm regarding continuous water use, these leaks can be identified quickly. With the ability to quickly identify leaks, IRCDUS will conserve water by reducing demands resulting from leaks. Improving customer satisfaction by reducing customer's utility costs is an added benefit of such a system. Furthermore, giving the customer access to their usage data engages them to evaluate their own usage in order to develop better water habits and reduce their utility costs. The St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) established watering restrictions for residential irrigation. By setting parameters within the AMI software to alarm usage outside of the restrictions, IRCDUS will educate customers regarding the restrictions. These outreach efforts will result in additional water conservation through decreased demands for irrigation. Cost Effectiveness, More about the Data IRCDUS has the ability to run High Consumption reports for all if its customers. For demonstration purposes for this project, two such reports are provided. Both reports were created for the time frame