Data Quality as the Foundation for AMI Success

How a municipal water utility identified and resolved critical billing data issues before an AMI transition.

Background & Challenge

A municipal water utility was preparing to launch a mass meter changeout as part of a broader AMI implementation. Before proceeding, leadership recognized that unresolved data quality issues in their billing system could significantly complicate — or undermine — the transition. Inaccurate or inconsistent data causes missed reads, billing errors, and field technician confusion during a meter exchange. The utility engaged Raybern Consulting to perform a comprehensive data analysis before any equipment changes were made.

Our Approach

Raybern conducted structured interviews with utility staff to understand how data flows between the billing system and the meter reading platform, then performed a detailed analysis of all provided data files. The review focused on: duplicate account and meter combinations; inconsistent meter manufacturer, size, and dial resolution notation; read type code configurations and endpoint performance data; and accounts with missing or invalid reads in billing files.

Key Findings: Multiple Data Quality Issues

Endpoint IDs Used as Meter IDs Meter serial numbers were not stored separately from endpoint (radio) IDs across a large portion of accounts — creating risk of negative consumption values during changeouts and making warranty tracking impossible.	Anomalous Service Codes Several accounts were flagged with an unusual service code indicating possible unmetered, flat-rate, or exempt status. No documented process existed to audit these codes.
Failed Endpoints Numerous accounts returned an invalid endpoint type — transmitting but containing no usable data — requiring manual intervention each billing cycle or risking estimated bills.	Duplicate Active Meter Records Over a dozen accounts had two or more meters marked active simultaneously, often with conflicting sizes (e.g., 5/8" and 1" on the same account), directly affecting billing accuracy.
Inconsistent Meter Size Notation Multiple accounts recorded meter sizes in non-standard formats, preventing accurate inventory reporting and risking procurement errors during the AMI rollout.	Mismatched Read Type Codes Many accounts returned default endpoint types instead of custom configurations, indicating a mismatch between installed hardware and system configuration causing over- or underbilling.

Recommended Next Steps

• Immediately audit all accounts with anomalous service codes to confirm correct billing treatment.

• Resolve all duplicate active meter records by identifying the correct active meter and retiring others with appropriate stop dates.

• Correct the accounts with default endpoint type returns by verifying dial resolution and updating read type codes.

• Standardize all meter size notation across the billing system using the utility's defined size codes.

• Establish a procedure to store meter body serial numbers separately from endpoint IDs and enforce it throughout the AMI rollout.

• Prioritize accounts with failed endpoints for first-wave replacement to immediately recover automated read capability.

The Value of Pre-AMI Data Remediation

🔧 Fewer Field Errors Field technicians working from accurate records avoid avoidable delays and rework during the meter changeout.	💧 Billing Continuity Corrected data ensures billing runs smoothly throughout the transition without manual workarounds scaling across all accounts.	📡 AMI Ready from Day One Clean data maximizes the accuracy benefits of new AMI infrastructure from the moment it goes live.
📋 Clean Data Practices Remediation establishes data standards that support the utility's long-term operational and reporting goals.	📈 Reduced Risk Identifying issues before the rollout eliminates billing errors and system conflicts that compound at scale.	⏱️ Faster Rollout A clean starting dataset accelerates the meter exchange program and reduces time-to-value for the new system.

Facing similar challenges? Raybern Consulting helps water utilities diagnose AMI failures, correct billing data, and build a clear path forward.

www.raybernconsulting.com