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​As part of our ongoing system-wide improvements to ensure efficient delivery of safe, high-quality water to the residents we serve, the Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department (PBCWUD) will ramp up a system-wide upgrade in August 2018.


 Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) provides our residents with an improved meter read and billing accuracy. This state-of-the-art technology will provide water usage data in real time and detect leaks or issues immediately, leading to a faster response time and an increase in consumer satisfaction.
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 PBCWUD has already installed AMI for 30,000 accounts system-wide. In August, the next phase of installation begins on the remaining 160,000 accounts. This installation process will continue through the end of 2019.

 The installation work will be done by a Palm Beach County-approved vendor, Core & Main. All contractors working on the project will have undergone a background check and will be identifiable by their county-issued badge, which they are required to wear at all times. Contractor vehicles will also be identified by a temporary Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department logo.

Please note that at no time should these contractors need to enter your home.

There is no further action that you will need to take. You may notice changes in your monthly bill since your water usage will be more accurately reflected. Questions regarding your water usage and your bill can be answered by our Customer Service team at 561-740-4600.

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 KEY BENEFITS OF AMI
​1. Improved data analysis will allow PBCWUD and you, the consumer, to detect leaks earlier, saving both money and water.
​2. The time it takes PBCWUD to respond to emergencies or issues will be decreased as the AMI will notify us of such issues.
​3. Meter reading will be more precise, thus leading to more accurate billing.
4. Accurate, real-time data will allow for quicker resolution to billing questions.​

​5. Older, aging meters will be replaced with state-of-the-art equipment.​

 How it Works

Data from the meters is encrypted and sent through a secure network to utility databases. The meter system transmits only the water meter readings, the meter identification number and diagnostic information to verify that the automated meter equipment is operating correctly. Only key authorized utility personnel, such as customer service representatives can access your account, if needed.

The meter data display looks similar to the numbers on a car odometer and has nine digits. The digits on the meter represent the number of gallons consumed down to the 1/100th of a gallon. The last two digits can be used as leak indicators to detect water flow through the meter. For billing purposes, the meter is read to the tens position.

 WHAT TO EXPECT DURING INSTALLATION
  • AMI 11 pictureOn the day of installation, a PBCWUD contractor will knock on your door prior to the commencement of the installation in order to notify anyone in the house that the work is being performed. If there is no answer and the current meter is not reading any water usage, work will commence. If the current meter is reading water use, the contractor will bypass the house and return later in the day.
  • At no time should the contractor need to enter your home.
  • All installation contractors will be wearing a Palm Beach County-issued ID badge and will have undergone a background check.
  • The installation process will take approximately 20-30 minutes and does not require the resident to be at home.
  • Water service will be temporarily stopped for 5-10 minutes during the installation.
  • Upon completion of the work, the contractor will notify the resident that the installation is complete by knocking on the door. If the resident is not home, a notification will be placed on the front door knob indicating completion of the installation.