Aclara, a leader in Intelligent Infrastructure technologies part of the Utility Solutions Group of ESCO Technologies Inc., announced that the Toho Water Authority, Kissimmee, Fla., has chosen the STAR Network advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system for a phased deployment, beginning with a 5,100-meter pilot. Toho is the largest provider of water, wastewater and reclaimed water services in Osceola County, with 125,000 total water meters.
Toho will use the AMI data collected from the system to enhance customer service as well as conserve resources by reducing water losses from leaks, inoperable meters and theft. In addition, Toho expects to enhance its tiered water-rate program using data it collects, allowing it to offer rates tailored to specific types of residential or commercial customers. It also will analyze the data and provide advice to customers on ways to conserve based on usage patterns.
Meters in the Toho water system are located both in pits and above-ground. The STAR Network system meter transmitters, mounted to the underside of composite pit lids and connected to the underground meters, are hermetically sealed and are therefore less likely to malfunction due to high humidity or flooding in the pits. What?s more, the system?s data collection units, mounted throughout the city, will be designed to withstand sustained, hurricane-force winds of 150 miles per hour.
The STAR Network system is the AMI leader in water and gas utilities in part because its unique design employs licensed 450- to 470-MHz frequencies that penetrate materials better with less interference than higher-frequency, unlicensed signals. In addition it collects meter readings hourly, transferring them on a utility-defined schedule to ensure that utilities and their customers have the data they need to make smart decisions regarding resource use. Finally, the system provides flexibility to utilities with its support of multiple standards-based communication protocols and technologies.
