City of Newton Selects Elster's evolution™ AMI Smart Metering Solution to Increase Water Conservation and Enhance Billing Accuracy and Customer Service

OCALA, Fla., June 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The City of Newton, Massachusetts, has selected Elster's evolution™ fixed network (evoNet™) advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) solution for a system-wide AMI implementation and meter replacement, which will include the installation of innovative new Elster evoQ4 solid state meters.  

The evolution AMI system is a fully automated wireless two-way smart metering technology solution that allows water utilities to obtain on-demand readings, real-time leak detection, and tampering or backflow notification. With the evoNet system, utilities can efficiently implement management tools to reduce costs, improve customer service and begin to monitor interval consumption patterns for water.

"Water is a limited resource that needs to be protected and has become a critical issue for the entire nation," said Fred Russell, director of utilities for the City of Newton.

"Elster's state-of-the-art evolution AMI system will allow the City of Newton to offer our residents more timely and accurate billing, help the city better detect water leaks and support increased water conservation," Russell added.

The City of Newton will replace nearly 25,000 meters on residential and commercial accounts over an 18 month period. The fixed network system, consisting of an array of evoGate™ central collectors, strategically located throughout the utility's service area, can acquire meter readings from customers and relay them back to the utility's billing office on a daily schedule or on-demand, allowing for more accurate water meter readings.

"The City of Newton has taken a proactive approach to better manage and conserve water resources for its residents," said Thomas Gwynn, president, Elster AMCO Water.  

"We are excited that the City of Newton, and other water utilities across North America, are selecting the flexibility and functionality of Elster's evolution AMI system to enhance conservation, empower customers and optimize billing. Elster's products and services are being selected to help address the key needs of the water utility market, and we look forward to working closely with the City of Newton on their evolution implementation," Gwynn added.

About Elster

Elster is one of the world's largest electricity, gas and water measurement and control providers.  Our offerings include distribution monitoring and control, advanced smart metering, demand response, networking and software solutions, and numerous related communications and services – key components for enabling consumer choice, operational efficiency and conservation. Our products and solutions are widely used by utilities in the traditional and emerging Smart Grid markets.  

Elster has one of the most extensive installed revenue measurement bases in the world, with more than 200 million metering devices deployed over the course of the last 10 years. It sells its products and services in more than 130 countries across electricity, gas, water and multi-utility applications for residential, commercial and industrial, and transmission and distribution applications.

Elster was acquired by funds advised by CVC Capital Partners in September 2005.

For more information about Elster, please visit www.elster.com

About Elster AMCO Water

Located in Ocala, Florida, Elster AMCO Water is an industry leader in the development and implementation of innovative metering and system solutions and is committed to delivering superior customer service, quality products, solutions and services to the water utility industry.

For more information about Elster AMCO Water, please visit www.elsteramcowater.com

SOURCE Elster