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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE10-16

February 13, 2010

CONTACT:

Michael Saucier/Mercedes Padilla (718) 595-6600

DEP Surpasses 200,000 Automated Meter Device Installations


Meter Units Installed in City Hall; Will Help City, Customers Better Manage Water Use

Environmental Protection Commissioner Cas Holloway today announced that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has installed 212,413 Automated Meter Reading (AMR) units, putting the agency more than 25% on the way to connecting all of its 834,000 customers by January 2012. Automated meter technology will end the use of estimated water bills, giving homeowners and small businesses more accurate and timely records of usage — increasing their ability to identify how they can conserve water and reduce water bills. An AMR unit was installed at City Hall today, the first step in installing all City buildings with AMR.

“Today’s installation of a wireless water metering system at City Hall is consistent with the goals of PlaNYC, our Administration’s effort to create a more sustainable city,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Edward Skyler. “As part of this program, we will install these units in every City-owned building, allowing us to better monitor water consumption and increase the efficiency of our properties.”

“New York is the largest city in the world to use wireless technology in water metering,” said Commissioner Holloway. “Rather than rely on quarterly meter readings that are often estimated, this technology will provide customers with up-to-the-minute information about how much water they are using. These meters will help families track water use from month to month, and detect anomalies that could indicate a water leak. It’s a perfect example of how Mayor Bloomberg is using technology to improve customer service.”

With AMR, instead of meters being read four times a year, as is now the case, they will be automatically read four times a day. Eventually, customers will be able to track that usage on-line via the City’s website and tailor their personal use accordingly. By June, DEP’s website will allow all customers with AMR installations to access online information that will provide them with the amount and cost of daily water consumption. The cost of citywide AMR installation is $252 million and includes the replacement of 400,000 older meters.

DEP manages the City’s water supply, providing more than 1 billion gallons of water each day to more than 9 million residents, including 8 million in New York City. Approximately 7,000 miles of water mains, tunnels and aqueducts bring water to homes and businesses throughout the five boroughs, and 7,400 miles of sewer lines take wastewater to 14 in-City treatment plants.

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