|
Automatic Meter Reading Program |
Service and Information
4200 Leeland / Houston, TX 77023
Phone: 713.371.1400
 The AMR system consists of two separate systems. The first
system is a computerized telephone inbound AMR system. This
system is used for water/wastewater billing and monitoring daily
usage for surface water contract compliance, effluent meter and
large consumption users, in areas where the division cannot receive
a radio signal but has access to telephone lines. The interface
unit reads the meter and the reading is transmitted over the telephone
line to the mainframe computer at Utility Customer Service in
order to produce water bills. Water/wastewater usage can
be monitored hourly, daily, or monthly for billing, flow analysis,
leak detection and rate studies.
The
second system is a radio frequency system. These units
will be read with handheld computers and/or a mobile unit equipped
with a radio receiver. The mobile unit will read approximately
20,000 meters per an 8-hour day, thereby enabling one employee
to perform work presently requiring 65 employees. The City
of Houston plans to install 100,000 radio transmitting devices
annually and 400,000 devices within four years.
This
is the first major utility in the nation with 400,000 plus connections
to undertake and invest in an AMR pits (ground) project.
 |
Your
Automatic Meter Reading device looks like your old meter with the
Encoder Receiving Transmitter (ERT) installed to store your meter read. |
 |
To read your meter, our mobile unit travels to your neighborhood and electronically reads your meter.
|
Your Automatic Meter Reading device looks like your old meter with the Encoder Receiving Transmitter (ERT) installed to store your meter read.
-
We are installing meters on a neighborhood by neighborhood basis.
-
We will require access to your property
ONLY if your meter is located in your backyard. You do not have to be
home during installation.
-
Installing your new meter takes about 30 minutes. We will shut off your water during installation.
Public Works and Engineering Employees Are Easy To Identify
|
 |
Look for the employee's photo ID with employee name and number.
Employees wear blue or white shirt with a City of Houston, Department of Public Works and Engineering Patch. |
Benefits
Benefits of the AMR system are increased accuracy, improved efficiency
and productivity, increased cash flow, improved response to billing
inquiries, creation of leak detection profile, automatic service
connects/disconnects, and enhanced data collection.
Automation
will eliminate the need for Meter Readers to walk and read meters.
Instead, meters will be read by driving down the street and reading
the meters by a remote vehicle mounted device. Telephone
inbound meters can be read by a computer in our office via telephone
line much like a computer modem.
 |
AUTOMATED
METER READING
-
Gives accurate meter reads
-
Eliminates estimated bills
-
Eliminates access to private property
If you have any questions, please call our Customer
Service Representatives at 713.371.1400
|
|
