Waterford Township DPW began utilizing Automatic Meter Reading Technology in the Winter of 1999.  Waterford's first A.M.R. System (which is still in use today) utilizes Drive-By 900 MHz technology.  The term 'Drive-By' is used because DPW Employees can literally Drive by accounts equipped with these units and reads are collects via a radio receiver and antenna affixed to the top of the DPW Vehicle.  The DPW installed these units from the Winter of 1999 to the Winter of 2004.  Many of these units are still in service today.  This system utilizes a special transponder unit at the customer residence. This unit transmits the unique customer account number along with the meter reading using a special radio frequency; which is then captured by water department personnel in vehicles.

Phase 2 (Spring 2006 - Present): Fixed Network (1.4 GHz System):

Waterford DPW initiated a 2nd generation AMR program in the Spring of 2006.  This Fixed Network System allows the DPW to leverage the Township's investment in the Township's existing wireless infrastructure.  Reading units located at homes and businesses communicate directly with a collector on the top of the water towers and report reads directly to the DPW.  These units along with the new meters being utilized by the DPW allow for daily and in some cases hourly consumption trending, backflow safety alerts and leak detection analysis and alerts.  These units alarm DPW personnel when they are not working, so that reading units can be fixed before reading/billing cycles instead of after them which was traditionally the case.  The goal being the most timely and accurate meter readings for utilization in customer billing.  The DPW has seen very favorable results thus far and is looking forward to expanding the number of homes and businesses equipped with these units.

• Faster data acquisition by meter reading personnel and less likely hood of estimated utility bills.
• Less risk exposure by meter reading personnel. Meter readers will have less exposure to the elements, as well as dogs and other occupational hazards.
• Meter reading personnel will no longer need to visit customer homes and businesses, causing less traffic and disruptions.

How Drive-By (900 MHz) AMR technology works:	AMR unit located at residence or business:	AMR Equipment:
	Solid State Radio Transmitter.	Digital Hand Held & Radio Receiver.
	Transmits Meter Read every 10 seconds.	Meter Reads can be obtained from vehicle.