Advanced Metering Program Is Complete in El Dorado, Arkansas Wireless Water Meter Reading Improves Efficiency

March 23, 2016 - El Dorado, AR – Utility Metering Solutions (UMS), a division of XtraLight Manufacturing Ltd. (XLM), and El Dorado Water Utilities announce the completion of a cellular Advanced Meter Analytics (AMA) Program. This means that reading water meters is now wireless in El Dorado, Arkansas, and customers will have online access to consumption information via their EyeOnWater® application.

This innovative technology has replaced monthly manual meter reads with a wireless AMA system that collects multiple reads per day, allowing for better leak detection, increased billing efficiency, and improved customer service. During the ten-month field deployment, XLM/UMS upgraded 10,000 residential, commercial, and industrial water meters with Badger Meter ORION® cellular technology.

"El Dorado Water Utilities customers are already experiencing the benefits of the cutting-edge technology provided by the newly installed cellular meters," said Mark Smith, El Dorado Water Utilities General Manager. "With more frequent meter readings, text alerts, and near real-time usage information, we can now help our customers save water and help identity otherwise unknown leaks."

Beginning on April 7, 2016, El Dorado Utilities customers will have access to a secure customer engagement portal which allows them to view consumption information, usage trends, and sign up for custom alerts and notifications. EyeOnWater will be accessible via the web, iPhone, and Android applications, and customers may sign up using their El Dorado Utilities account number and zip code.

XLM/UMS and Badger Meter will sponsor a Ribbon Cutting Celebration, April 7, 2016, with activities starting at 11:30 a.m. and the ribbon cutting at 12:40 p.m. El Dorado Water Utilities General Manager, Mark Smith, will say a few words and officially mark the beginning of the new service. The event will take place at El Dorado Water Utilities John Lusk Training Room, 300 South Madison (corner of South Madison and Block), El Dorado, AR 71730. Join us after the ribbon cutting for lunch, demonstrations of the new system, and on-site sign up for the EyeOnWater service.