Smart Water, Smarter Management: Texas Water Utilities Leads the Way with AMI and Advanced Leak Detection

Texas Water Utilities is part of the Nexus Water Group, a major player in the U.S. water utility sector that serves over 1.3 million people across 20 states and parts of Canada.

“Nexus is the fifth largest privately held water utility in the country," said Terry Benton, Nexus Water’s Vice President of Operations, emphasizing the scale of their operation. With more than 77,000 connections in Texas and a service area spanning multiple states, Benton’s North Texas team alone oversees about 28,000 connections across 66 water systems and 12 wastewater systems, often in challenging rural areas.

Faced with maintaining effective service over vast and varied terrain, Benton knew that a shift from traditional systems to advanced technology was crucial.

The Road to Transformation

Texas Water Utilities initially relied on automatic meter reading (AMR) technology. However, this drive-by data collection system struggled in the utility's rugged and remote areas, leading to inconsistent readings and frequent missed signals. For a company with such a large rural footprint, identifying and reducing water loss was vital. With AMR, water loss and non-revenue water—water pumped but never billed—remained stubbornly high, draining both resources and revenue.

The transition to cellular AMI marked a turning point for Texas Water Utilities. Unlike AMR, AMI uses cellular connectivity to transmit real-time data, eliminating the need for drive-by readings. With continuous, accurate data collection and remote monitoring of water flow and pressure levels, the utility could now identify high flows and potential leaks before they became costly issues.

The benefits were immediate. In one rocky, cliffside community, the utility reduced non-revenue water from 92% to 38%. “You would think that if you’re pumping hundreds of thousands of gallons in a day, you would see the water loss somewhere,” Benton said. However, with water flowing directly into Lake Possum Kingdom, that wasn't the case. Yet, thanks to AMI, the utility pinpointed sources of leakage that would have been nearly impossible to detect through traditional means, enabling them to make repairs and save precious water resources.

Recently, the utility integrated additional leak detection technology from the BlueEdge suite. Syrinix leak detection and pressure monitoring devices—custom fit and deployed for these applications—provide enhanced pressure monitoring and visualization tools, allowing for quick identification and resolution of potential issues.

“Pictures and graphs are worth a thousand words," Benton said, explaining how these visual aids help him interpret trends more easily. Data visualizations also allow Benton to communicate performance metrics and improvements to community stakeholders, helping them understand the benefits of the investment in real terms.

Beyond Leak Detection: Comprehensive System Optimization

Capitalizing on AMI's capabilities, Texas Water Utilities segmented water systems into district metering areas (DMAs) for precise flow monitoring. This approach has not only reduced non-revenue water but also helps to anticipate pipeline failures and optimize pressure levels—which reduces downtime for customers.

Texas Water Utilities has also implemented predictive maintenance strategies. By monitoring water flow and pressure, the utility developed models to anticipate pipeline wear and proactively address issues before they led to major failures. This has been transformative for an aging system, which was often at risk of costly and disruptive pipe bursts. Reduced wear-and-tear from unexpected failures has saved Texas Water Utilities operational costs, conserving both time and materials.

The data collected through AMI also facilitates Texas Water Utilities' future expansion plans. As the state has experienced organic growth and rapid urbanization, this data-driven approach has been instrumental for master planning. The utility has scaled systems accurately and allocated resources efficiently.

Enhancing Customer Satisfaction and Environmental Impact

The switch to AMI has also improved customer relations by streamlining billing practices and enhancing accuracy. With the previous system, manual data entry left room for human error, but with AMI, this risk factor has been reduced. With real-time data at their fingertips, the utility’s customer service team can quickly address concerns about water bills, leaks, and usage trends, leading to fewer customer complaints and strengthening the utility's reputation.

Fuel savings were another win. With the system's remote monitoring capabilities, the utility has drastically cut back on field truck mileage. “We were able to reduce close to 100,000 miles a year off of my area’s truck rolls,” Benton said. Fewer trucks on the road not only saves on fuel and maintenance but also reduces the utility's environmental footprint.

Workforce Transformation and Retention

Technology can often raise concerns about job security, but Texas Water Utilities made a strategic choice to redeploy staff into new roles. Meter readers who previously traveled to collect data were transitioned to roles that required technical expertise and critical thinking, such as operations and system monitoring. “We just moved them into a different group,” Benton explained, noting the utility's commitment to supporting employees through training.

Looking Ahead

The AMI-driven transformation at Texas Water Utilities is a model for the future of utility management. By proactively addressing water loss, improving operational efficiency, and prioritizing customer satisfaction, the utility has demonstrated how data and technology can revitalize even the most complex water systems. Their journey provides a valuable example of how a modern utility can evolve to meet the needs of its community while planning strategically for growth and long-term resilience.