Texas City of Bellmead selects Ameresco to upgrade water metering system

The City of Bellmead in the US state of Texas is partnering with Ameresco to modernise its water metering infrastructure.

The advanced metering infrastructure project will include the installation of some 3,797 smart water meters to replace existing mechanical meters. The replacement programme is expected to help the city to accurately bill consumer water usage and manage its water distribution network more efficiently. The project will help the city improve customer services.

The project automates the city’s billing system to enable customers to access their water usage data via a web portal and to make more informed decisions regarding how they use water. This will help reduce consumer water usage and bills and in turn help the city to conserve its water resource.

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The city council is hoping to reduce technical and non-technical water losses. The smart water metering project is expected to be completed in early 2022.

Yost Zakhary, Bellmead City Manager, said: “We are deeply invested in improving the day-to-day lives of our community members. Our partnership with Ameresco on this metering infrastructure improvement project is only the latest demonstration of our commitment to fostering a sustainable future that’s not only good for the environment, but for our citizens as well.”

Bob Georgeoff, executive vice president, Ameresco, adds: “Together, we’ll reduce the city’s overall operational costs and address its long-term meter reading operational needs.”

The announcement comes at a time an increasing number of cities and utilities in the US resorting to smart meters as the foundation for smart utility services and to meet consumer demand for digital services.

Research firm Global Industry Analysts forecasts the US market for smart water meters to generate $467.8 million in revenue in 2021 alone. Factors including rapid industrialisation and urbanisation and efforts by state governments to reduce non-revenue water, ensure accurate water bills, and develop smart cities to drive the market.