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Welcome to The Smart Water Show! Morrice Blackwell, Senior Solution Architect at Badger Meter, hosts our new online show, where he highlights important smart water topics, technologies and solutions. Whether the concept is new to you or you are ready to implement a smart water solution for your utility, Morrice covers what you should know to make an informed decision.
Prefer to call?
Customer Care representatives are available by phone Monday–Friday, from 9am–5pm CST.
Badger Meter is an industry-leading innovator in flow measurement, water quality and control products, serving water utilities, municipalities and commercial and industrial customers worldwide.
Is your water utility looking to make the jump into the world of AMI Fixed Networks? Are you confused about all the different technology options available to you from traditional data collector systems, mesh technology and now cellular systems? In this video Morrice is going to explain to you the four key reasons why cellular might just be the right AMI technology for your utility.
Related Content:
Does your water utility get too many customer service calls? Silly question. I know you do. What percentage of those calls are dealing with high bill complaints? Well, the average water utility says that about 50 to 70% of the calls that they're dealing with are customers saying, "My bill doesn't actually represent what I actually used." Today, we're going provide you with some effective ways to cut those call times and call volumes in half.
I love asking my water utility customers the question, what are the biggest things that you want to overcome this year, the biggest problems? The list changes from one utility to the next, but there's one problem that's always on the top five of every utility, too many customer service calls.
Why have only 20% of water utilities deployed an AMI fixed network? If you are considering a fixed network, I've got something you seriously need to consider prior to soliciting quotations or putting out your RFP. The question is, who is going to manage the network infrastructure? Do you have qualified individuals within your utility ready to continuously monitor, maintain and manage the network? In this video, we're going to discuss some of the options available for water utilities today: a utility managed network versus a network as a service agreement (NaaS).
water meter is better, a mechanical or an electronic meter? It’s been over ten years since electronic water meters were introduced in the U.S. for residential applications. Many utilities are using electronic meters for commercial and industrial applications. However, the number of utilities adopting electronic water meters for residential applications continues to grow but is still only a small percentage of utilities. As an interesting comparison, think about what happened in the electric utility market during the early 2000s, the industry change from electro-mechanical to electronic meters almost overnight. This video discusses the differences between the two types of meters, mechanical and electronic and provides you with practical guidance on choosing the right meter type for your utility.
When was the last time a technology just blew your mind? For me it was my Apple Watch. There are so many great apps that increase my productivity and just make things easier. That’s exactly what technology should do for us. In this video I’m going to share with you a mind-blowing recent discovery of mine about water utility AMI fixed networks and the development of the world’s smallest fixed network.
How many shutoffs does your utility do on a monthly basis for non-paying customers? Depending on your utility size, this could be a hand full of customers or it could be hundreds or thousands per month. No matter how many it is, it’s too many and its costing your utility valuable time and money. In this video we are going to discuss some great new technology options available to you for never rolling a truck again for non-paying customers.
Many water utilities fit into the 80/20 rule. Meaning your large meters may only make up 20 percent of your customers but they probably make up 80% or the lion’s share of your usage when compared to your residential customers. No matter how much usage they make up, making sure that you are collecting all the revenue from your commercial and industrial accounts is extremely important to the bottom-line revenue of your utility. In this video, we discuss four exciting advancements in electronic metering technology that may make you think about using them in these applications if you are not already doing so, or if you have already been using electronic meters, it might be time for an upgrade.
One of the biggest problems within a water utility is dealing with high bill complaints. Let’s be honest, 99 times out of a 100 we know the customer used the water stated on their bill and of those 99 customers, most of them probably have a LEAK that they are unaware of. This situation happens tens of thousands of times per day at water utilities across the country. In this video we discuss some of the tools that are available to water utilities to help their customers find their own leaks and we will also review a case study by Dr. Wesley Schultz that demonstrates the success of deploying these tools at the City of Sacramento.
What methods are you using within your water utility to tackle your non-revenue water issues? District Metered Areas or DMAs, have been widely used in Europe for quite some time and have been found to be a very effective way to hone in on problem areas within your water system. In this video we are going to discuss the concept of DMAs as well as point out some of the tools available through today’s AMI systems to simplify the data gathering process as well as being able to provide proactive monitoring of your DMAs.
Many water utilities are ready to upgrade their existing metering infrastructure but getting started can be daunting for a number of reasons …including selecting the right technology, overall project complexity, upgrading legacy systems to support Advanced Metering, managing the deployment process and maintaining the new system post deployment, and of course BUDGET. In this video we’re going to discuss a game-changing Metering-as-a-Service offering that Badger Meter just added to its product portfolio. The new offering is netAMP Enabled, and it is specifically designed to address all these pain-points and fixed network deployment hurdles. Badger Meter is partnering with Utility Metering Solutions (UMS) to bring to customers netAMP Enabled to help significantly expedite your Advanced Metering deployments and to give water utilities a simplified path to AMI upgrades. Joining me on the show is Joey Mitchell. Joey is vice president at UMS, and we’ll be diving into netAMP Enabled and exploring deployment hurdles and how netAMP can help you address each.
Some people my say that the water utility industry is slow to adapt to new technology. Since the early 90s, many water utilities have struggled with the financial decision to transition from some form of manual reading to mobile meter reading technology. In 2020, when contemplating the decision for a first generation or even a next gen reading technology, I’ve seen the majority of mid-sized to large water utilities lean toward AMI fixed network technology. However, for those of you that are still having a hard time deciding between AMR and AMI, in this video I’m going to share with you my simple methodology for deciding on which way to go.
All of us greatly appreciate the essential work that is being done every day by water utilities all around the country to continue to provide us with safe drinking water during the Covid-19 pandemic. During these trying times, many water utilities are faced with the question of how to continue the installation of their AMI or AMR projects while keeping both their workers and customers safe. Today on the Smart Water Show, we welcome, Santiago Speranza, PMO Manager at Badger Meter. Santiago is going to share with us his real-world best practices in managing AMI deployments amidst Covid-19. As the Project Management Office Manager, Santiago oversees the management of a portfolio of projects through successful leadership of a team of PMP – Project Management Professional Project Managers, dedicated to the successful implementation of customer projects, ranging from full turnkey AMR/AMI implementations to the delivery of customized service solutions. He collaborates with both internal and external stakeholders to ensure customer projects are properly managed from initial deployment to completion and final acceptance. Santiago is a certified Project Management Professional and believes in effective management between customer communications and third-party vendors to meet contractual terms, including the requisite budget and timeframes.
Have you ever said to yourself, “I wish I better understood how to properly select, size or install large meters for our water utility’s commercial and industrial applications?” Well if so, today’s your lucky day, we've put together a nine part series that will cover all the aspects that you need to know in order to assure that you are putting in the right meter, the right way. In part one we are going to cover, why sizing and selection is so important, and we’ll review a case study by a major water utility in the US that went through this process utility wide and saw major revenue increases.
Understanding the proper methodology of sizing, selecting, and installing water meters for your commercial and industrial applications is extremely important to every water utility. In part two of this series we help you better understand the criteria and important terms used in meter right-sizing.
As a water utility professional, I'm quite sure you understand the benefits of proper sizing, selecting and installation of water meters for your commercial and industrial applications. In part three of this series, we'll teach you the skills you need to know in order to research the right meter for the right application, understand how the manufacturers put that information together on their product data sheets, and how that criteria can help you select the right meter. And then we'll wrap up today's session by covering the basics of meter data logging
The Wetworks Group's webinar on October 29th featured industry experts from a variety of technology and financing companies to discuss the topic of Sustainable Water Infrastructure Through Innovated Technology and Financing. Here we feature Morrice Blackwell discussing his Top Five Tips for Sustainability for Within Your Water Utility.
Have you ever installed the wrong type or size water meter? Understanding the proper methodology of sizing, selecting, and installing water meters for your commercial and industrial applications is extremely important to every water utility. In part four of this series, we will take a deep dive into the metering technologies that are used for low flow applications. We will look at three things: How they work, what their typical operating ranges are and lastly, we will look at seven distinct metering criteria and see how they align for these small meter technologies.
If you would like to follow along on this series on C&I Water Meter Sizing, Selection, and Installation you can find past episodes at: www.meterschool.com
Part 1: Why is Meter-Right Sizing and Selection so Important
Part 2: Understanding the Application Criteria and Important Terms
Part 3: Understanding Water Meter Product Specifications and the Basic of Meter Data Logging
Have you ever installed the wrong type or size water meter? Understanding the proper methodology of sizing, selecting, and installing water meters for your commercial and industrial applications is extremely important to every water utility. In part five of this series, we will take a deep dive into the turbine metering technologies that are used for intermediate and high flow applications. We will look at three things: How they work, what their typical operating ranges are and lastly, we will look at seven distinct metering criteria and see how they align for turbine meter technologies.
If you would like to follow along on this series on C&I Water Meter Sizing, Selection, and Installation you can find past episodes at: www.meterschool.com
Part 1: Why is Meter-Right Sizing and Selection so Important
Part 2: Understanding the Application Criteria and Important Terms
Part 3: Understanding Water Meter Product Specifications and the Basic of Meter Data Logging
Part 4: Understanding Small Meter Technology Options
Have you ever installed the wrong type or size water meter? Understanding the proper methodology of sizing, selecting, and installing water meters for your commercial and industrial applications is extremely important to every water utility. In part five of this series, we will take a deep dive into the turbine metering technologies that are used for intermediate and high flow applications. We will look at three things: How they work, what their typical operating ranges are and lastly, we will look at seven distinct metering criteria and see how they align for compound meter technologies.
If you would like to follow along on this series on C&I Water Meter Sizing, Selection, and Installation you can find past episodes at: http://meterschool.com
Part 1: Why is Meter-Right Sizing and Selection so Important
Part 2: Understanding the Application Criteria and Important Terms
Part 3: Understanding Water Meter Product Specifications and the Basic of Meter Data Logging
Part 4: Understanding Small Meter Technology Options
Part 5: Understanding Compound Metering Technology Options
Are you properly applying compound meters in your commercial and industrial applications? In this video, we explain the often-misunderstood concept of the compound low flow percentage principle to be sure you are applying compounds in the correct applications.
If you would like to follow along on this series on C&I Water Meter Sizing, Selection, and Installation you can find past episodes at: http://meterschool.com
Part 1: Why is Meter-Right Sizing and Selection so Important
Part 2: Understanding the Application Criteria and Important Terms
Part 3: Understanding Water Meter Product Specifications and the Basic of Meter Data Logging
Part 4: Understanding Small Meter Technology Options
Part 5: Understanding Turbine Metering Technology Options
Part 6: Understanding Compound Metering Technology Options
If you would like to follow along on this series on C&I Water Meter Sizing, Selection, and Installation you can find past episodes at: http://meterschool.com
Part 1: Why is Meter-Right Sizing and Selection so Important
Part 2: Understanding the Application Criteria and Important Terms
Part 3: Understanding Water Meter Product Specifications and the Basic of Meter Data Logging
Part 4: Understanding Small Meter Technology Options
Part 5: Understanding Turbine Metering Technology Options
Part 6: Understanding Compound Metering Technology Options
I’ve been in the water industry for over twenty-six years and I am extremely passionate about providing water utilities with solutions that allow them to better manage their water resources. Case in point I’m sure you’ve heard people use the phrase, “water is life” and I whole heartily agree with that. The human body can only last about three days without water. However, I’m after living all my life in Wisconsin, I’ve never had the same respect for snow, as I do for water. I took some time today to reflect on that.
I tend to think that other parts of the world would look at snow from a much different perspective than we do. Think back to February of 2018 when Cape Town South Africa was facing “Day Zero”. Limiting its residents to 13 gallons of water per person. Let that soak in for a minute…and realize that you can’t do too much soaking with 13 gallons. The thought that a city of almost 5 million people literally running out of water is stressful to say the least.
As I plowed the snow this week, I reflected on the fact that, “I actually have life sustaining water all over my yard!”
In part nine of this series, we will take a deep dive into how to go about determining the correct type of water meter based on the type of application. We will cover some general rules of thumb used in this determination and then review six applications together.
If you would like to follow along on this series on C&I Water Meter Sizing, Selection, and Installation you can find past episodes at: http://meterschool.com
Part 1: Why is Meter-Right Sizing and Selection so Important
Part 2: Understanding the Application Criteria and Important Terms
Part 3: Understanding Water Meter Product Specifications and the Basic of Meter Data Logging
Part 4: Understanding Small Meter Technology Options
Part 5: Understanding Turbine Metering Technology Options
Part 6: Understanding Compound Metering Technology Options
Part 7: Understanding Electronic Metering Technology Options
Part 8: Understanding Compound Low Flow Percentage Principle
When installing water meters for your commercial or industrial customers, do you consider the Turbine Meter Theory? In part ten of this series, we will provide you with a better understanding of how Turbine Meter Theory can affect your water meter installation.
If you would like to follow along with this series on C&I Water Meter Sizing, Selection, and Installation you can find past episodes at: http://meterschool.com
Part 1: Why is Meter-Right Sizing and Selection so Important
Part 2: Understanding the Application Criteria and Important Terms
Part 3: Understanding Water Meter Product Specifications and the Basic of Meter Data Logging
Part 4: Understanding Small Meter Technology Options
Part 5: Understanding Turbine Meter Technology
Part 6: Understanding Compound Meter Technology
Part 7: Understanding Electronic Meter Technology
Part 8: Understanding Compound Low Flow Percentage Principle
Part 9: Determining the correct type of water meter based on the type of application
When installing water meters for your commercial or industrial customers, do you consider the manufacturer’s recommendations for installation? In part eleven of this series, we will review the installation best practices provided by water meter manufacturers.
If you would like to follow along with this series on C&I Water Meter Sizing, Selection, and Installation you can find past episodes at: http://meterschool.com
Part 1: Why is Meter-Right Sizing and Selection so Important
Part 2: Understanding the Application Criteria and Important Terms
Part 3: Understanding Water Meter Product Specifications and the Basic of Meter Data Logging
Part 4: Understanding Small Meter Technology Options
Part 5: Understanding Turbine Meter Technology
Part 6: Understanding Compound Meter Technology
Part 7: Understanding Electronic Meter Technology
Part 8: Understanding Compound Low Flow Percentage Principle
Part 9: Determining the correct type of water meter based on the type of application
Part 10: Understanding Turbine Meter Theory
Your boss asks you to work with the local engineer to select the right water meter for a new customer application. Do you know where to start? Well, then part 12 of this series, we'll dissect the step by step process that I put together to easily guide you through this sizing and selection process. If you've been following along with this series on sizing and selection and installation of commercial and industrial water meters, I'm also going to test your skills by providing you with four real-world sample applications. I'll review one with you today and then next week, we'll review your answers and discuss the analysis.
Download Quiz / Review Materials: https://lnkd.in/e5dGftz
If you would like to follow along with this series on C&I Water Meter Sizing, Selection, and Installation you can find past episodes at: http://meterschool.com
Part 1: Why is Meter-Right Sizing and Selection so Important
Part 2: Understanding the Application Criteria and Important Terms
Part 3: Understanding Water Meter Product Specifications and the Basic of Meter Data Logging
Part 4: Understanding Small Meter Technology Options
Part 5: Understanding Turbine Meter Technology
Part 6: Understanding Compound Meter Technology
Part 7: Understanding Electronic Meter Technology
Part 8: Understanding Compound Low Flow Percentage Principle
Part 9: Determining the correct type of water meter based on the type of application
Part 10: Understanding Turbine Meter Theory
Part 11: Water Meter Installation Best Practices
For those of you that have followed along with our in-depth series on water meter sizing, selection, and installation, we hope that you have gained some practical knowledge that you can put into action. In our final episode of this series, we will analyze and review the sample quiz applications that were presented in Part 12 and walk you through our step-by-step process of water meter sizing and selection. If you haven’t taken the quiz yet, you can download the step-by-step guide and quiz materials here to test your skills: https://lnkd.in/e5dGftz
If you’ve followed along on this series, leave a comment below and let us know what you’ve learned. Or if you have any questions, feel free to leave them as a comment and we will get back to you with an answer.
If you would like to see the complete series on C&I Water Meter Sizing, Selection, and Installation you can find all episodes at: http://meterschool.com
Part 1: Why is Meter-Right Sizing and Selection so Important
Part 2: Understanding the Application Criteria and Important Terms
Part 3: Understanding Water Meter Product Specifications and the Basic of Meter Data Logging
Part 4: Understanding Small Meter Technology Options
Part 5: Understanding Turbine Meter Technology
Part 6: Understanding Compound Meter Technology
Part 7: Understanding Electronic Meter Technology
Part 8: Understanding Compound Low Flow Percentage Principle
Part 9: Determining the correct type of water meter based on the type of application
Part 10: Understanding Turbine Meter Theory
Part 11: Water Meter Installation Best Practices
Part 12: Step by Step Water Meter Selection Guide and Quiz
As many of you know, we recently finished up our 13-part series on water meter sizing, selection and installation. Over four episodes we reviewed the common meter types including disc, turbine, compound and ultrasonic meters. However, a follower of the show reached out to us this week and asked if we could provide some insight into Fire Service Meters. Well to add onto this series, in part fourteen, we’ll take a deep dive into how fire service meters work, how they’re selected and what are some of the available options in these types of meters.
If you would like to see the complete series on C&I Water Meter Sizing, Selection, and Installation you can find all episodes at: http://meterschool.com
Part 1: Why is Meter-Right Sizing and Selection so Important
Part 2: Understanding the Application Criteria and Important Terms
Part 3: Understanding Water Meter Product Specifications and the Basic of Meter Data Logging
Part 4: Understanding Small Meter Technology Options
Part 5: Understanding Turbine Meter Technology
Part 6: Understanding Compound Meter Technology
Part 7: Understanding Electronic Meter Technology
Part 8: Understanding Compound Low Flow Percentage Principle
Part 9: Determining the correct type of water meter based on the type of application
Part 10: Understanding Turbine Meter Theory
Part 11: Water Meter Installation Best Practices
Part 12: Step by Step Water Meter Selection Guide and Quiz
Part 13: You make the Call Quiz - Skills Test
A question I often get asked from smaller water utilities is, “What’s the right meter reading technology for small water systems?” All water utilities have unique aspects to their individual operation, and this is not always a cut and dry choice. However, in this video I’m going to head over to the white board and break this down looking primarily at the dollars and cents aspect of this decision.
One of the main topics of discussion on the Smart Water Show is the benefits of Advanced Smart Water Technology for Water Utilities today. In this week’s episode we explore how smart water technology can help water utilities deal with the effects as well as the aftermath of today’s extreme weather events. In February of this past year, Texas and Louisiana felt the effects of back-to-back winter storms that were extremely unusually for the region. This week we have a real treat in discussing how one water utility used technology rather than traditional methods to get them through this situation.
In this episode we are going to take a look back over the interesting life changing year that was 2021 in the midst of a pandemic and talk about some of the most popular topics and moments for the Smart Water Show, and leave you with three key takeaways that every water utility should be thinking about in 2022.
If someone were to ask you, "Do you really understand your water meter warranty?" Maybe not. In this video we take a deep dive into three important factors:
1) How do manufacturer's warranties relate to AWWA standards
2) The difference between new/rebuilt versus repaired meter accuracy warranty statements
3) How to compare one manufacturer's warranty against another
