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 ------- |