LIBERTY LAKE, WA, Aug. 6, 2014 -- The City of Bismarck, North Dakota's water department has selected Itron, Inc. (NASDAQ: ITRI) to help modernize its water distribution system and will manage it using the new network deployed by Montana-Dakota Utilities Company (MDU), provider of electric and natural gas service to parts of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
This public-private partnership (PPP) marks the first instance in which two utilities are cooperating to share a communications network where a city's entire meter population is being managed. Bismarck will use Itron's advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) solution along with Itron Analytics as a service and Itron Services to improve operational efficiencies and streamline meter reading.
With the new solution, Bismarck can reliably collect water consumption and transform it into valuable and actionable intelligence across the utility. The solution will provide the city with detailed usage information to improve customer service, protect revenue and better manage water resources. With Itron Analytics, the utility will be able to gain more value from its advanced metering investment to improve utility operations and asset management.
The Itron solution includes 21,000 water communication modules and associated collection technologies. In addition, Bismarck entered into an agreement with MDU in which MDU will provide water meter readings to Bismarck using its existing Itron fixed network. The project will not impact MDU customer billing but rather will provide a cost-effective solution for both utilities through a shared network. Installation of the solution will begin in late summer and is expected to be completed within 18 months.
See also: "Itron expands North American AMI capabilities with water cellular solution"
About Itron
Itron is a technology and services company dedicated to the resourceful use of energy and water. We provide comprehensive solutions that measure, manage and analyze energy and water. Our broad product portfolio includes electricity, gas, water and thermal energy measurement devices and control technology; communications systems; software; as well as managed and consulting services. Itron has thousands of employees supporting nearly 8,000 customers in more than 100 countries. For more information, visit www.itron.com.
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