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Getting to Know Your New Water Metering & Leak Detection System

Butler Water owns and maintains approximately 4,800 water meters. Each meter is an essential part of Butler Water’s distribution system, responsible for measuring each customer’s actual water use for billing purposes.

Butler Water reads each water meter once per month. The process is labor intensive and time consuming. The meter reader carefully removes the meter box lid, lifting the protective cap on the water meter to reveal the face of the meter, and manually enters the details into a handheld electronic data logger. Water consumption information from the device is then uploaded into our billing system and posted to each customer account.

While this method has served Butler Water well for many years, we will be modernizing by automating meter reads in Butler County. Butler Water has been researching and planning behind the scenes for several years to launch an Automated Meter Reading (AMR) and leak detection technology beginning this month. The installations will be completed by early 2019.
AMR equipped meters will enable Butler Water employees to read meters remotely, safely, and accurately via wireless signals. The new technology is safe and precise at capturing the same information collected from the manually read meters, yet faster and more efficiently.

This system will provide more information to assist customers in identifying leaks. Advanced acoustical leak sensors will also be strategically placed to assist Butler Water in identifying leaks in main lines and services before they potentially become major interruptions.

AMR technology offers multiple benefits to customers, Butler Water, and the environment, including:

  • Eliminating intensive manual labor meter reading.
  • Providing efficient data, useful for detecting water loss and leaks in the system which will result in water and cost savings.
  • Detecting continuous leaks in a customer’s water service.
  • Transmitting water usage remotely to data collection units in the vehicle/office.
  • Increasing daily meter reading capacity.
  • Reducing pollution by decreasing vehicle drive time.

There will be no additional cost to customers to install the new system. The project has been in the planning stages for several years and funds were already budgeted for this project. For questions or additional information regarding AMR, call 270-526-4656 or e-mail info@butlerwater.com.

New Water Meter Reading Technology FAQ’s

Why is Butler Water installing new meter reading and leak detection technology?

The new technology will reduce water loss and improve our overall meter reading system.

  • Eliminates labor intensive manual meter reading.
  • Provides efficient data, useful for detecting water loss and leaks in the system which will result in water and cost savings.
  • Detects continuous leaks in a customer’s water service.
  • Securely transmits water usage remotely to data collection units in the vehicle/office.
  • Increases daily meter reading capacity.
  • Reduces pollution from less vehicle drive time.
When will my service be upgraded?

All installations will be completed by early 2019. We will communicate by mail with all our customers before the installation process begins.

What can I expect from the installation?

Butler Water wants you to know that the impacts from the upgrade will be minimal. No home entry. No untrained staff. No worries.

We respect your time: upgrades will not require any water service interruption. Since the meter is outside, no one will need to come into your home. Most upgrades will take less than 15 minutes. A Butler Water contractor from Concord Utility Services will support these upgrades across our system. Our team will continue to visually/manually inspect your service.

How can the new water metering and leak detection system save me money?

AMR and leak detection technology makes it easy to identify a leak and let the affected customer know about it much more quickly than was possible with manual meter reading. The new technology will provide efficient data about your water usage, and spotting leaks early can save you time and money.

How will Butler Water protect my privacy?

Butler Water is committed to protecting the personal information of our customers. Identifying information (such as name, address, or account number) is not stored in the new meter reading technology.

Additionally, installers will not enter your home, obtain your identification information, or have access to accounts. Butler Water is serious about protecting the personal information of our customers.

Butler Water provides customer information only to those authorized on the account.

Will my water-use information be secure?

Now that water-use information is sent through a wireless system, it is important that Butler Water maintains customer privacy and protects the network. Personal identifying information (such as name, address, or account number) is not stored in the new meter reading and leak detection technology.

What will my water consumption data be used for?

Butler Water takes the privacy of your information seriously.

Beyond billing and leak detection, Butler Water will only use water consumption data to plan, maintain, and develop the water system. As the region grows and changes, the new water meter reading and leak detection technology will help us maintain a potable water system that is flexible, reliable, and able to meet our customers’ needs.

How much will this new system cost customers? How is it being paid for?

There will be no additional cost to customers to install the new system. The project has been in the planning stages for several years and funds were already budgeted for this project.

Will the upgrade cause my water bill to increase?

The new meter reading and leak detection technology will ensure that customers are billed for the water they use – no more and no less. If you have questions/concerns call 270-526-4656 or email info@butlerwater.com.

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