VSI, AMCO unite to complete $9.2M meter replacement, AMR deployment project

PORTLAND, ME, Sept. 26, 2006 -- VSI Meter Services Inc. announced Sept. 7 that it has been selected by AMCO Water Metering Systems to manage the system installation portion of a $9.2 million project recently awarded by Portland Water District. VSI work management teams have already begun to refine planning models that will enable the automation of 48,000 water meters over the 24-month contract period. VSI plans to begin the actual installations in October 2006.

AMCO Water Metering Systems was selected by Portland Water District and will act as prime contractor, which includes overall project management, as well the supply of 40,000 InVISION absolute encoder water meters equipped with Itron ERT modules. In addition to the installation of 40,000 new meters, VSI will upgrade approximately 8,000 meters to Itron mobile AMR.

Portland Water District expects their Remote Read Project to improve many facets of customer service through the reduction of estimated bills and an increase of energy efficiency. These improvements, coupled with the added safety value, make the Remote Read Project a very wise choice for Portland Water District.

"VSI is excited to be working with AMCO and Itron on this project for the Portland Water District. The District has stressed just how important it is to actively manage water resources and improve customer satisfaction," said David McGinley, vice president of VSI Meter Services. "We are proud to be part of the team that will deploy the new technology to enable that."

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.

VSI Meter Services Inc. (www.vsimeterservices.com) specializes in meter reading, meter installation, AMR deployment projects, and related services. VSI is one of the largest metering services firms in the world, serving utilities (water, electric and gas), AMR solution providers, and municipalities. VSI's knowledge base, gained from installing over four million meters, is unsurpassed in the industry. Headquartered in Aston, Pennsylvania, VSI is a wholly-owned subsidiary of UtiliCon Solutions Ltd. whose parent company is Asplundh Tree Expert Co.

AMCO Water Metering Systems Inc. (www.amcowater.com) is a provider of advanced metering products and meter reading solutions. AMCO Water is located in Ocala, FL, and is part of the Elster Group, the world's largest multi-utility metering company for water, electricity and gas metering.

Based in Spokane, WA, Itron (www.itron.com) is a leading technology provider and critical source of knowledge to the global energy and water industries. More than 2,000 utilities worldwide rely on Itron technology to deliver the knowledge they require to optimize the delivery and use of energy and water.

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Also see: "VSI Meter Services, KHAFRA Engineering unit grabs contract for Atlanta AMR project"

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