Automated Meter Infrastructure Ordinance Solution

An ordinance requiring all metered wells to have automated meter infrastructure (AMI) to record extraction totals has been adopted by the Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency (FCGMA). Ranch Systems has been selected by the FCGMA as the vendor to provide the equipment and cloud platform necessary for well owners to comply with the AMI ordinance. A rebate maybe available for early applications to the FCGMA. The rebate may contribute or cover the costs of the basic mandatory equipment required and the first year of the Ranch Cloud Platform and Access Portal Annual Plan, inqiure with the FCGMA for more details regarding availability.

For more information about the incentives, visit this article.

To apply for incentives, please complete and submit the Incentive Registration Form.

Solution Overview

The AMI solution being offered helps with many problems associated with flow meter monitoring and reporting:

• It enables periodic sampling of the flow meter totalizer using an optical reader.
• The sampling is performed optically. The flow meter does not need to be updated or replaced to provide a digital output.
• As flow meters become obsolete or need to be replaced, the optical reader can be reused on new meters or re-purposed for other applications.
• The wireless monitoring solution is cloud-based and collects real-time data.
• Data is available through the online application accessible by Smartphone, tablet or computer.
• Water Market Participants are able to automate the monitoring of flow meters in the field.
• A powerful Alerting function notifies users of any critical condition via text, email or phone, along with customization options to configure additional alerts as needed.
  • Alerts help prevent or minimize operational problems in the systems. They also allow personnel the ability to perform other tasks or leave the area and still “keep an eye on the system.”
• The system provides the ability to monitor and analyze pipeline pressure and power usage on pumps providing important information on the functioning of the system and how it can be improved.

What is Included

The package consists of the following components: RS130-H-A2 telemetry unit, FL-MP20-RS232 optical reader, PS-050-6P pressure transducer, and the Ranch Cloud Platform and Access Portal for the first year of use.

This solution package goes beyond just the ability to only track water usage; coupled with the optical reader, sensors are used to determine the pump efficiency. Using pump feedback sensors allows the analysis of the data in the Ranch Cloud Platform to determine if the pump is operating at peak efficiency or if there is a possible problem. An error alert can be sent to a list of predefined users in the form of an email, text message or voice call when the platform detects an issue defined in the program.

Case Study

Ranch Systems and CLU were selected to present the FCGMA AMI and Watermarket Project Case Study at the Association of California Water Agencies(ACWA)

For more information regarding the FCGMA AMI and Watermarket Case Study, please see the following video presented by:

• Daniel Howe, Product Manager, Ranch Systems
• Matthew Fienup, Ph.D., Watermarket Administrator, CLU

Presentation Topics

• AMI History
• AMI and Watermarket Trial Pilot
• Watermarket Group (WMG)
• Watermarket Basics and Trading
• Hardware and Software for AMI

Frequently Asked Questions

Please see our FAQ on our main AMI page.