FAQs • Coachella Valley Water District, CA • CivicEngage

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AMI Pilot Project

1. What is Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)?: AMI offers two-way communication between the water meter and CVWD. Readings are taken at a set interval (typically every 15 minutes) and then transmitted to the District’s computer system daily. An AMI endpoint is plugged into the register to transmit the data via radio or cellular signals. CVWD will continue to read the meters manually on a monthly basis for billing purposes.

2. What is the purpose of the AMI Pilot Project?: CVWD is evaluating how effective different AMI solutions may be to meet the needs of CVWD and its customers. Specifically, staff will evaluate how AMI may improve customer service, water use efficiency, billing accuracy, and employee safety.

3. How is the project funded?: CVWD received a $100,000 grant from the Bureau of Reclamation to fund part of the AMI pilot project. The grant is a 50% match, meaning the Bureau will match each dollar spent by CVWD up to $100,000. Two of the three vendors participating in the pilot project are doing so at no cost to CVWD. CVWD is using Domestic Water funds to pay for the match portion of the project.

4. How long will the pilot project last?: The AMI systems will be installed and evaluated in the field for one year. After one year, the AMI equipment will be uninstalled and returned to the vendor. CVWD staff will continue to review the data after completion of the pilot to evaluate the feasibility of a district-wide implementation.

5. Where is the pilot taking place?: CVWD selected two communities within two miles of its Operations Building, located at 75525 Hovley Ln E., Palm Desert, CA 92211, to conduct the one-year AMI Pilot project. One-hundred fifty (150) endpoints will be installed in the community of Indian Ridge Country Club and the remaining one-hundred fifty (150) endpoints will be installed in the Palmira and Lantana Estates Communities.

6. How do I know what AMI system is installed at my meter?: If you have received notice that your property will be a part of the pilot, you may enter your account number into a web query to identify the AMI product installed at your property. You will need to enter their account number and the query will respond with the name of the system installed at the property. Please follow the link below:
http://web.cvwd.org/ami/

Sensus customer portal
Customers need to enter the security token "Sensus" when registering.

8. Whom do I contact if I have questions about the AMI Pilot Project?: You may contact CVWD staff via email at AMIPilot@cvwd.org.

9. Who will install the AMI device?: All installations for the AMI Pilot Project will be performed by CVWD staff.

10. Is the AMI technology safe?: Yes, AMI technology is as safe as cell phones, laptops, blue tooth devices and similar technologies. Customer data is securely stored on vendor-hosted cloud-based software.

11. How is installation done and how long will it take?: The existing water meter will be replaced with a new water meter that is fitted with an encoded register. The encoded register will connect to an AMI Endpoint that will transmit data to collectors at CVWD’s facilities. The installation process may take up to 30 minutes at the customer’s property.

12. Will I be able to read my meter after the AMI device is installed?: Yes, visual reading of the meter will still be available.

13. What is my role as a customer in the pilot project?: CVWD will solicit input from customers on what they like and do not like about the AMI product installed at their property. Feedback from customers on the value of having near-real time access to their water consumption data, ease of use of the customer portals and dashboards will provide CVWD with valuable feedback. CVWD will use feedback to evaluate whether and how to pursue implementation of AMI district-wide.

14. Important Note: The AMI customer portal is for informational purposes only, official billing statements and online payments must be made through Paymentus at https://ipn2.paymentus.com/cp/cvwd