A new year means a new start. For San Antonio, 2022 marks the beginning of a smart start — with the installation of electronic water meters across the city.
Board Trustees approved the full implementation of the SAWS ConnectH2O program at the Dec. 7 meeting. SAWS aims to install about 65,000 electronic meters in 2022 beginning mid-year, and will continue until completion in 2026, totaling about 600,000 electronic meters for the entire service area.
“The ConnectH2O program means that customers will have the data and power at their fingertips to better understand and control their water use,” said Mary Bailey, vice president of Customer Experience and Strategic Initiatives.
She added that the advanced metering infrastructure network can grow with us and be leveraged to add technology that provides information currently unavailable.
“We don’t even know all we can use the AMI network for, but we’re going to really pursue that in the coming years to make sure we’re maximizing it,” Bailey said.
Among the benefits of the ConnectH2O electronic meter system:
- SAWS will run the new system on the same wireless network as CPS Energy, lowering costs and increasing efficiencies for both utilities.
- The new meters will periodically transmit hourly readings securely to SAWS to help generate bills, or to trigger text or email alerts for high water use.
- Customers will be able to access and review their water use via a secure, mobile-friendly website.
- The ultrasonic meters have no moving parts, are more accurate, and won’t need to be replaced as often.
The total cost authorized for the new ConnectH2O metering system is $215 million.
“What this presents to the SAWS organization is a different way of doing things, to engage with our customers and a different way to operate,” said Board Chairwoman Jelynne LeBlanc Jamison. “It’s always difficult to embrace change, implement it, and move forward. I want to congratulate the staff for having the courage to do that.”
More information on the ConnectH2O pilot, the technology of automated metering, and other frequently asked questions is available at saws.org/ConnectH2O.
