Improve Your Utility’s Resiliency With a Cellular AMI Solution

Emergency Preparedness

Being prepared for an emergency is no longer a recommendation. Utilities must comply with America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA) Section 2013, which requires community drinking water systems serving more than 3,300 people to develop and update risk assessments and emergency response plans (ERPs) every five years. The law was enacted to ensure utilities were developing a plan to assess:

• Risks to their systems, whether from suspicious acts or natural hazards
• Resilience of all parts being utilized by the system, including pipes, source water, pretreatment and treatment, storage facilities, automated systems and security
• Operation and maintenance of the water system 

Investing in a cellular AMI solution greatly improves a utility’s emergency preparedness because of the resilience cellular networks provide. Cellular networks are the most powerful and reliable communication networks available. Millions of people rely on these networks for personal/consumer and machine-to-machine (M2M) reasons. Because these networks are so widely used, they are expertly monitored, managed and maintained to a 99.9% uptime, which helps utilities stay connected, even in an emergency. Utilities can be confident they are emergency ready with the resilient infrastructure of a cellular AMI network.

Unmatched Uptime

Another aspect of cellular resiliency is the unmatched uptime if network connectivity goes down. Restoring cellular networks is a top priority after an emergency to support first-response teams. Most emergency responders rely on the cellular network in the event of a natural disaster, so cellular network providers will work around the clock to restore service if it’s lost. Cellular providers often bring in cell on wheels (COWs) and cell on light trucks (COLTs) to provide temporary connectivity while the permanent infrastructure is repaired. This ensures utilities also have network connections to monitor flow conditions and identify backflow issues or large leaks. Addressing these issues immediately can help utilities prevent cross-contamination and protect customers from compromised water quality.

Strengthening Utility Resilience Through Reliable Connectivity

In an era of increasing climate events and regulatory pressure, resilient communication infrastructure plays a critical role in utility preparedness. Cellular AMI networks offer a reliable way to maintain system visibility during emergencies thanks to their high uptime, rapid restoration protocols and broad network support. By incorporating this technology into their emergency response planning, utilities can better protect water quality, respond faster to disruptions and ensure continuity of service when it matters most.