Water Audit, Water Meter and Advanced Meter Infrastructure (AMI) Evaluation, Wayland, MA
Tata & Howard, Inc. was retained by the Town of Wayland, MA to complete a water audit of the water distribution system based on data and system information for the calendar years 2013, 2014, and 2015. The project included assessing the amount of lost water using the American Water Works Association M36 water audit methods. The report estimates the volume of lost water in terms of non-revenue water, identifies potential sources of lost water, and estimates system performance indicators including the Infrastructure Leakage Index.
The AWWA water audit results found that the Town’s non-revenue water by volume was approximately 46.4% in 2013, 20.5% in 2014, and 18.5% in 2015. The associated annual costs of water lost were approximately $425,000 in 2013, $320,000 in 2014, and $398,000 in 2015. In addition, 64% of the Town’s meters are over 15 years old.
Recommendations to reduce water loss included the following: volumetrically testing master meters at multiple flow rates and performing a field to database audit of SCADA flow reported from master meters; implementation of a customer meter testing and replacement program; and documentation of unbilled and unmetered water use with the use of meters whenever possible.
To address the aging meters, Tata & Howard completed a water meter and advanced meter infrastructure (AMI) evaluation. The project included an evaluation of water meters, automatic meter reading (AMR) systems, and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) systems for the Town of Wayland’s water distribution system. The purpose of the evaluation was to compare different AMR/AMI technologies to assist in the selection of a new meter reading system to provide a recommendation for AMR/AMI technology to best suit the needs of the Town.
Following the meter evaluation, Tata & Howard provided assistance with a request for proposal (RFP) for new water meters and AMI system including specifications and proposal evaluation criteria. Tata & Howard is currently providing assistance during the implementation of the AMI system and the installation of the water meters and RF endpoints for the Town of Wayland.
