Thank You Water AMI Deployment Team!

The PUD’s Connect Up program was a huge undertaking.

Exchanging every single meter in our service territory – for all our electric and water customers – means swapping out over 400,000 meters.

Our Water Utility made it look easy.

After spending months carefully planning deployment, and committing to robust and thorough routes and schedules, the Water AMI Deployment Team exchanged almost 24,000 meters in less than three years – well ahead of schedule and under budget to boot! Driven by a commitment to excellence, the team steadily increased the deployment rate, accelerating the timeline and challenging themselves with ambitious goals.

Thanks to their work ethic, dedication and commitment to go above and beyond with deployment – which started before it even began by ensuring our customers were prepared for the exchanges – the Water AMI Deployment Team was even named the PUD’s Team of the Month for May.

“I have been bragging about this amazing team for months – to anyone who will listen,” said Jeff Kallstrom, the PUD’s Chief Water Operations Officer. “I’m still in awe of how quickly, effectively and – most importantly – safely they were able to deploy all of these new advanced meters. They are incredibly deserving of this award and I’m so excited to recognize them and all of their hard work!”

The Water Utility celebrated the official completion of meter installation with a small gathering at the final meter exchange at a house in Arlington in early February. Members of the Water Utility, the PUD’s Executive Leadership Team, and Connect Up Program Team were there to celebrate.

The ceremony marked the official end of the Water Utility’s meter deployment after installing 23,903 meters throughout its service territory – accounting for nearly 31,000 labor hours. Field staff from the Water Utility helped installers with meter exchanges, working weekends to complete the project.

The installations were completed about six months ahead of schedule and 12 percent under budget.

“The Water AMI Deployment Team engaged with water customers, coordinating temporary service disruptions that often required landscaping adjustments or driveway modifications,” said Karen Latimer, the PUD’s Water Superintendent. “With valuable support from other PUD groups, such as Corporate Communications, the team developed a custom web page and informative handouts to proactively communicate the reasons for these activities. By providing clear, advanced information, customers were empowered to understand the necessity of the work before it began.

“Throughout the process, the team demonstrated exceptional tact, empathy, and commitment to customer service.”

“Since the start of the project, this team has consistently gone above and beyond – developing and mastering new processes, delivering excellent customer service and supporting one another to bring this significant effort to a successful conclusion,” said Kevin P., a Project Manager who helped launch deployment. “I am extremely proud of their work and grateful to have been part of their success.”

The first meters were installed at the homes of PUD staff in the summer of 2023 so the Connect Up team could test the new meters and see their capabilities firsthand. The advanced meters allow customers to see their detailed water use in near-real time, which can help identify potential leaks.

“This is a great honor, and it is exciting to be recognized with this amazing team,” said Misty S., who helped wrap up the deployment efforts. “This group went above and beyond to complete this project quickly and effectively. We’re excited, not just because it is done, but also because of the benefits our customers will have access to now with these new meters.”

“The AMI team worked long days and even weekends to get all of our water meters installed and did so ahead of schedule,” added Veronica B., Lead Water Services Coordinator for the PUD. “I am honored to work with such amazing and talented people.”