Q. What is SmartRead?
A. SmartRead is an Automated Meter Reading (AMR) technology that reads water-usage data electronically instead of manually. AMR is quickly becoming the industry standard for water, gas and electric utilities across the nation, and is being used in major cities such as Boston, Denver, Houston, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Providence, Richmond, Salt Lake City, and Washington, D.C.
Q. Why switch to SmartRead?
A. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities provides drinking water to approximately 750,000 customers, and – as Charlotte is one of the fastest-growing regions in the nation – that number is constantly growing. SmartRead will help us reduce costs, improve customer service and keep water rates low.
Q. How does SmartRead work?
A. SmartRead uses a transmitter installed on the electronic register of the water meter. This transmitter sends its meter readings via radio frequency, enabling meter readers to collect readings as they're driving or walking by. At the end of the day, the meter reader simply uploads the information into the billing system.
Q. How will SmartRead benefit customers?
A. SmartRead's superior speed, accuracy and reliability will reduce meter-reading errors, improve the consistency of customer billing cycles, and help Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities reduce costs and keep water rates low. In addition – while meters must remain accessible for routine maintenance and repair – SmartRead will virtually eliminate the need for meter readers to access property each month to obtain meter readings.
Q. How will SmartRead reduce costs?
A. With SmartRead, a single meter reader in a van will be able to read all accounts in just 10 days – less than half the time it currently takes 36 meter readers to do the same job – which will reduce labor and equipment costs. In addition, SmartRead will enable us to identify water leaks more quickly, thus reducing water loss.
Q. Is SmartRead Safe?
A. Yes. The radio frequency used does not operate in ranges that can cause problems from emissions or health-related devices, such as pacemakers.
Q. Is SmartRead environmentally friendly?
A. Yes. SmartRead will decrease the number of utility vehicles needed to read water meters, which translates to reduced fuel consumption and emissions.
Q. When will Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities begin installing SmartRead?
A. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities will implement SmartRead throughout its entire territory in several phases over a five-year period. During Phase One – which will take place over an eight-month period beginning October 1, 2002 – we will upgrade 30,000 meters in the northern part of Mecklenburg County, including residential and commercial customers in all of Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville and parts of north Charlotte. Customers in neighborhoods slated to receive SmartRead will receive a notice in the mail before installation takes place.
Also during this phase, an additional 8,000 SmartRead meters will be installed throughout the entire Charlotte-Mecklenburg area as part of previously scheduled meter change-out. Water meters are typically replaced after 15 years of use, when they begin to slow down.
In addition, any new meters installed in new buildings and developments after October 1, 2002, will have SmartRead capabilities. After Phase One is complete and we have analyzed implementation data, we will determine which neighborhoods to target next for SmartRead upgrades.
Q. Why is SmartRead going to neighborhoods in the northern part of the County first?
A. We are targeting customers in our outermost territories first because they offer the most immediate and significant opportunity to reduce labor, equipment and transportation costs associated with reading meters manually.
Q. Will customers need to be present for SmartRead installation?
A. Customers do not need to be home for the installation to take place; however, City employees will need access to water meter to install SmartRead.
Q. How is Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities communicating with customers?
A. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities will be notifying customers of installation activity in their areas through direct mail and the media. Customers also may call 704.336.7600 for more information.
Q. Is there a charge for SmartRead?
A. No. Your water bill will not include any new charges for the SmartRead device, installation or ongoing service.
