Portland Begins Meter Replacement, AMR Deployment

OCALA, FL, Aug. 4, 2006 -- The Portland Water District has awarded AMCO Water Metering Systems a $9.2 million, 24-month contract to replace aging water meters and to upgrade 48,000 meters to a Mobile Radio System.

AMCO Water will provide project management and supply 40,000 InVISION absolute encoder water meters equipped with Itron ERT modules. An additional 8,000 meters will be upgraded to Itron mobile AMR. VSI Meter Services, Inc. will manage the system installation.

Portland Water has named the Automatic Meter Reading project "Remote Read" as a way to promote the features of the program. The major benefits of the AMR system include improved customer service, safety energy efficiency and reduction in estimated bills. Installations are scheduled to begin in October.

"Our selection team chose AMCO Water because of the quality product they offered and the compatibility of their partner software. They provided the best package that will create opportunities for further savings," said David Kane, Portland Water District's director of administration.

About Portland Water District

The Portland Water District is a quasi-municipality providing water, wastewater, and environmental services to 11 Greater Portland communities. Portland Water is dedicated to providing quality services to a population greater than 190,000.

About AMCO Water Metering Systems Inc.

AMCO Water Metering Systems Inc. is a provider of advanced metering products and meter reading solutions. AMCO Water is located in Ocala, Florida and is part of the Elster Group, the world's largest multi-utility metering company for water, electricity and gas metering. For more information on AMCO Water Metering Systems utility, industrial or submetering products, visit www.amcowater.com.