Smart Metering - Data Analysis and Triage

We look backward in order to create a plan to move forward. We begin by requesting 24-36 months of extremely detailed, account-by-account billing data in order to complete the metering analysis. The massive amounts of data we capture includes the following:

• Account numbers and addresses
• Rate codes
• Service types per account (e.g., water, sewer, irrigation)
• Meter sizes
• Manufacturers
• Installation data
• Meter serial numbers
• Billing dates
• Usage (billed consumption)
• Bill amounts

We collaborate with you to identify the 12 months that best represent a typical year (the baseline period), as well as uncover key trends. In addition, we do the following:

• Request all rate codes in effect for the 24-36-month period.
• Identify inconsistencies, drawing upon the large number of data points to make smart decisions.
• Reverse engineer billing, applying rate codes against month-by-month billing data.

Using stated rates and month-by-month billed consumption, we reverse-calculate the bills based on water consumption amounts and compare them with the amounts charged, looking for variances.

We enter sample test results into the Revenue Recovery Database as “Measured Accuracy.” We draw upon American Water Works Association (AWWA) water meter measurement and verification best practices. AWWA “New Meter Accuracy” levels are 100% +/- 1.5%.  To be conservative in our benefit calculations, we use the lower threshold, or 98.5%, as the assumed value for New Meter Accuracy.

For each meter size and rate code, we initially calculate anticipated project benefit as the difference between billed consumption charges with assumed accuracy and the consumption that would have been billed if the meters had been new at the time of billing. The assumed accuracy is validated and updated in the model with the water meter surveys and testing stage.