HOW WILL THIS PROJECT BENEFIT MAWSS AND ITS CUSTOMERS?
Benefits to Customers: Ability to track consumption (hourly readings), smarter decisions regarding service and usage, higher reliability due to timely readings, closer meter reading and billing dates, problem solving capabilities, improved customer engagement and service.
Benefits to MAWSS: Improved customer relations, increased efficiency in billing and customer service, improved operations, reduced labor and travel for meter reading; improved non-revenue water analysis, improved workforce management, reduced carbon footprint, improved safety and security.
WHAT ARE SMART METERS?
Smart meters are water meters that offer two-way communications between the meter at your home or business and MAWSS. They are a key component of our new Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system.
WILL THE NEW DEVICE AFFECT MY BILL?
Installation of the AMI Smart Meter will not affect your bill. A new meter is more accurate than old meters, so your bill may change to reflect the accurate measurement of your water use.
WILL I BE CHARGED FOR THIS NEW SERVICE?
No, there are no additional charges for your new meter.
WILL MY WATER SERVICE BE INTERRUPTED DURING THIS PROCESS?
A 30 minute service shut-off will be necessary during your meter replacement.
HOW LONG WILL THE INSTALLATION PROCESS TAKE?
In most cases, less than 30 minutes
WILL I BE ABLE TO READ MY WATER METER AFTER THE AMI SMART METER IS INSTALLED?
Yes, visual meter reading will still be available as a backup.
WHEN WILL I GET MY SMART METER?
MAWSS is currently installing AMI Smart Meters and will continue to install them over the next couple of years.
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO PREPARE?
Your existing meter box may be covered by grass or other landscaping material. Uncovering your meter prior to installation will help keep the project moving.
WHO IS INVOLVED IN THE AMI UPGRADE PROJECT?
All residential and commercial customers will be upgraded to an AMI Smart Meter.
HOW IS THE INSTALLATION DONE?
Either MAWSS employees or a MAWSS approved contractor will replace the existing meter with a new AMI Smart Meter. You will notice a small raised antenna on the top of your meter box once your meter has been replaced.
HOW DOES MAWSS KNOW THESE METERS ARE ACCURATE?
The meters are tested by the manufacturer and comply with the American Water Works Association (AWWA) standards. If you feel that your meter reading is inaccurate, contact MAWSS customer service at 251-694-3100 or email cs.info@mawss.com
HOW DOES THE AMI SYSTEM WORK?
Water meters are outfitted with a radio transmitter that send usage data to a network of collectors which transmit the data back to the MAWSS offices.
HOW LONG WILL THIS NEW AMI SMART METER WORK?
The life expectancy of the devices installed in the field is 20 years. Periodic inspection and maintenance will be performed to ensure all devices are performing as expected.
IS AMI TECHNOLOGY SAFE?
The new meters will not negatively affect your health. The wireless portions of the system will be operated per Federal Communications Commission rules, and will not interfere with other radio frequencies in the area. The transmitters use one-quarter of the power of a cellphone transmission. Exposure to radio waves from smart meters is tiny compared to cellphones transmissions. The amount of exposure to radio waves decreases with the square of the distance from the radio source and the total transmission time is only 15 second per day.
IS MY PRIVACY SECURE?
Yes, measures are in place to ensure your information is secure and kept safe at all times. MAWSS will not provide this information to any other person or business. Only account holders or authorized persons will receive information regarding meter readings.
WILL THE AMI DEVICE’S RADIO SIGNALS AFFECT THE OPERATION OF OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES IN MY HOME?
No, the devices radio signal is similar but significantly weaker than that of a cordless phone.
IS THERE ANY SPECIAL CARE OF MAINTENANCE THAT I NEED TO DO TO MY NEW METER?
Your new AMI meter transmits daily and thus the meter box needs to be clear of all landscape material and debris.