Town of Edisto Beach Begins Automated Water Meter Installation

Posted

Preliminary work is now underway in preparation for the Town’s Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI) installation. Crews have begun scouting meter box locations and clearing them of any debris to ensure easy access for removal. Full installation of the new meters will begin in the coming weeks and is expected to continue over the next several months

The Town has contracted Fortiline Waterworks to complete the installation and implementation of the system. During this period, crews will replace existing water meters with new automated meters designed to improve accuracy, efficiency, and reliability. Technicians will be working only at existing meter boxes and will not require entry into homes or businesses.

Once installation is complete, the new AMI system will provide several benefits to customers, including:

• Improved accuracy and efficiency in water usage measurement and billing

• More frequent billing cycles that better reflect real-time usage

• Early leak detection and notifications, helping residents conserve water and avoid costly surprises

• Enhanced operational efficiency for the Town’s utility staff

The Automated Metering Infrastructure Project has been in development for several years and represents the next step in improving the Town’s water utility system. Through the initiative and persistence of the Edisto Beach Town Council, the Town successfully secured $1 million in state legislative funding through South Carolina’s State Earmark Program to fund the project, which is contracted at a total cost of $1,067,727.

The Town of Edisto Beach extends its appreciation to the South Carolina Legislature for supporting this important community investment and thanks residents for their patience and cooperation while installation is underway. Additional updates will be provided as the project progresses.

What is Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI)?

Automated Metering Infrastructure, or AMI, is a modern water metering system that uses secure wireless communication to transmit water usage data directly from individual meters to the Town’s utility system. This technology eliminates the need for manual meter reading, provides near real-time data, and helps detect leaks or unusual water usage early. AMI systems are widely recognized for improving billing accuracy, promoting water conservation, and increasing operational efficiency for municipalities.