Incorporating AMI

into a Surveillance and Response System

A Water Quality Surveillance and Response System (SRS) provides a systematic framework for enhancing drinking
water distribution system monitoring activities to detect abnormal system conditions and respond promptly to
minimize potentially adverse consequences. These can include public health threats due to intentional system
contamination, as well as potentially undesirable conditions due to a variety of natural or operational causes. The
surveillance components are designed to provide near real-time awareness of distribution system water quality
and conditions, and timely detection of abnormal system conditions. The response components guide effective
response to system contamination. The components of an SRS are shown in the architecture diagram below.

AMI AS A SURVEILLANCE COMPONENT OF AN SRS

WHAT IS AMI?

Advanced Metering infrastructure (AMI) comprises
the equipment, communications, and information
management systems for remotely collecting water
usage data in near-real time. AMI can provide a wide
range of benefits including improved utility
operations, increased water conservation, and
enhanced security and resiliency. Security-related
benefits of AMI include the ability to detect potential
backflow of water from customer connections into
the distribution system and meter tampering.

HOW DOES AMI FIT IN AN SRS?

As shown in the architecture diagram, AMI is an SRS
surveillance component which provides the potential
for early detection of intentional or unintentional
contamination via a customer connection which
could threaten public health. Prompt investigation
of the backflow and tampering alerts generated
through AMI allows for earlier and more efficient
and effective response actions, which can
significantly reduce the potential adverse
consequences. In addition, AMI data can support
investigation of alerts from other SRS components.

EPA 810-F-21-004 March 2021


-------
DETECT AND INVESTIGATE BACKFLOW AND TAMPERING ALERTS

ELEMENTS OF AN AMI SRS COMPONENT

This table describes the typical elements of an AMI
SRS component. AMI equipment, communications,
and information management are intrinsic in any
AMI system. In most cases, the equipment used in
modern AMI systems can support the requirements
of an SRS without modification.

AMI Element

Description

AMI Equipment

The hardware that generates AMI data,
especially meters that measure the flow to
a customer connection

Communications

Equipment and systems used to transmit
data from the meter or endpoint to the
information management system

Information
Management

System(s) that retrieve and store data and
alerts from meters and other AMI
equipment, and then provide data access,
visualization and analytics

Alert Investigation
Procedures

A documented procedure for the timely and
systematic investigation of alerts with
clearly defined roles and responsibilities for
each step of the process

ALERT INVESTIGATION PROCEDURE

The most substantial enhancement to incorporate
AMI into an SRS is to develop an alert investigation
procedure. The purpose of this procedure is to
identify an alert cause and trigger Water
Contamination Response if contamination is
possible. An example process is shown below.

Receive an AMI backflow or
tamper alert.

Investigate the cause of the alert using
available information sources.

Can data review determine
the alert is invalid?

No

I

Can system contamination
be ruled out?

No

1

Conduct an on-site investigation.





- Yes —



- Yes —



Close investigation

and log incident.

Are there signs of
system contamination?

i

Yes

Determine alert
cause and follow
up as needed.

INVESTIGATION TOOLS

Investigation tools, such as checklists or quick
reference guides, can be developed to support staff
in executing and documenting the alert investigation
procedure efficiently. In addition, user dashboards
can be developed or updated to align with SRS-
specific data needs. These may integrate multiple
information types, including data from other SRS
components or utility information systems. An
example dashboard is below.

o

K,
•

¦





mmmm ¦

VV2M0 WHlll
t04 AM

•kMm

Smm V490 *¦¦*•?' tnvoU *»•* Mw

cm >¦»»" WX> vuitf +*t www un« «wu

*Ob«j- UO*m IfM* to UM

Initiate Water
Contamination Response.

Ensuring easy access to information improves
monitoring and response. Also, these job aids
ensure response is implemented consistently and
efficiently.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS OF AMI

The AMI component provides timely data from the
distribution system and can detect contaminant
injection from a customer connection, which could
have serious public health and operational
consequences for the utility. In addition, alerts and
alert investigation procedures can support the
detection of and response to other undesirable
conditions including accidental backflow, needed
meter repair, and water theft.

MORE INFORMATION

The Using Advanced Metering Infrastructure in an
SRS guidance provides detail about AMI and its
integration into an SRS. See the SRS website to
access the document and for additional information:

https://www.epa.gov/waterqualitysurveillance/Adva
nced-Metering-lnfrastructure-resources

EPA 810-F-21-004 March 2021


-------