Ensuring a smooth AMI rollout with QA

The challenge

A California water utility struggled with planning and implementing a QA program for its 44,000-meter AMI deployment. The utility needed to ensure its meter installation vendors were safely providing quality work. Limited resources and existing technology made it challenging for the utility to perform QA and prevent issues such as leaks or mismatched module serial numbers.

The solution

E Source provided project implementation services for the utility, assisting with every stage, including QA. Working alongside utility staff and the meter installation vendor, E Source kept the rollout moving smoothly and safely.

The E Source team performed in-field quality audits to:

• Ensure correct installation
• Check for leaks
• Confirm that meter pit lids fit properly

The team also monitored whether the installation contractor followed the utility’s specifications and worked safely on-site, providing remedial training as needed. Simultaneously, the E Source team performed data quality audits on the installation contractor’s work order portal.

E Source experts ensured that:

• The vendor installed the meters correctly and on time
• The system was providing accurate meter readings
• Installers left the customer premises in good condition

The results

E Source’s support and expertise helped the utility define its QA program and choose the best work order management system to schedule and complete the installations. Then, E Source field experts carried out the QA program.

QA inspections identified leaks at 4% to 5% for meter installations. Process improvements reduced the rate to 3% to 4%. Reductions in leaks and early identification reduced revenue loss for the utility and improved the customer experience.