Water Company (TWC) believes once customers experience the benefits of Smart Meters, also known as Advanced Meter Infrastructure (AMI), they will welcome all this system has to offer.
Currently, 75% of the meters in TWC’s service area have been upgraded with Smart Meter capabilities, with full implementation is expected by the end of 2026. The transition to AMI is part of a broader industry shift to reshape how water is measured, billed, and conserved. The meters automatically record and transmit water usage throughout the day. The data gathered from automatic transmissions refreshes frequently and provides a detailed view of water usage, billing information, and customizable alerts.
TWC’s move to Advanced Meter Infrastructure began with a 2021 pilot program that installed 800 smart meters and two gateway receivers. The company transitioned from a drive-by system, where meter readers collected data manually, to a fixed-base model that wirelessly transmits water usage to strategically placed receivers. This shift reduces vehicle emissions, minimizes road wear, and improves operational efficiency, allowing TWC to focus more resources on infrastructure upgrades, service reliability, and long-term water supply.
In 2022, the company committed to installing Smart Meters for all new services and replacements. Installations expanded in 2023 and 2024 to cover more areas, including Canyon Lake, Bulverde, and the Kendall West and Bandera East systems.
Today, TWC collects about 20,000 meter reads daily from the installed Smart Meters and the benefits go beyond convenience. One conservation success story involves a customer convinced their irrigation system was not running. Interested in reducing their bill and complying with water restrictions, they checked their usage online and discovered a leak. The problem was fixed quickly thanks to the detailed portal data.
“That’s the kind of insight customers didn’t have before,” said Robbie White, Customer Service Field Supervisor. “Meter reads are collected more frequently and with less error, helping our customers with accurate water usage and billing. AMI can generate alerts that help prevent wasted water and costly surprises.”
For Texas Water Company field staff, AMI has transformed daily operations. With fewer manual readings, staff spend less time driving and more time on maintenance. Although AMI started out as a way to streamline meter reading and reduce costs, its broader benefits quickly became clear. The system supports conservation by detecting leaks early, helping customers manage their consumption, and improving the utility’s ability to oversee system-wide resources.
“Conservation is an important benefit of this program,” said Suzanne Williams, Water Conservation Supervisor. “Customers are catching issues they never would have noticed with traditional meters, helping us save every drop.”
As full implementation continues, TWC will evaluate system coverage, adding new meters as needed. In the meantime, customers are encouraged to explore their portal and take full advantage of the smart tools at their fingertips.