Eagar Town Council to roll out high-tech automated water meters.

Background

For many small municipalities, modernizing water infrastructure isn’t just a technical challenge; it’s a financial and operational balancing act. Aging systems, limited staff, and constrained budgets often force difficult tradeoffs between maintaining today’s service levels and investing in tomorrow’s capabilities.

The Town of Eagar, Arizona, approached this moment as more than a routine upgrade. With over $1.3 million in grant funding secured, the town had a unique opportunity to make a meaningful, forward-looking investment in its water system.

Rather than simply replacing meters, Eagar saw the potential to improve how the system operates as a whole.

The challenge

Eagar needed to enhance visibility into water usage, improve operational efficiency, and ensure any investment delivered measurable long-term value.

Like many utilities, the town was evaluating more than just equipment. The decision required careful consideration of:

• Data accessibility and system intelligence

• Installation and long-term support

• Integration with existing infrastructure

• Proven performance in similar municipalities

With multiple proposals on the table, the challenge wasn’t just selecting a vendor; it was identifying a solution that would support the town well into the future.

The solution

Eagar ultimately selected an automated metering infrastructure (AMI) solution designed to deliver both immediate improvements and long-term system intelligence.

While not the lowest bidder, the chosen solution offered the strongest overall value, prioritizing performance, reliability, and long-term return over initial cost.

Key elements of the approach included:

• Industry-leading meter accuracy, including low-flow detection

• A fully integrated solution spanning hardware, installation, and support

• Proven reliability backed by peer references

• Additional infrastructure improvements beyond metering alone

Just as important was the partnership behind the project. From early discovery through implementation, the focus remained on understanding Eagar’s goals and building a system positioned for long-term success.

Key results

The transition to automated metering is transforming how Eagar manages its water system.

With real-time data now available, the town can move from reactive processes to more proactive, informed decision-making.

The impact includes:

• Approximately 12 weeks of labor saved annually

• Faster leak detection and response

• Improved billing accuracy and customer transparency

• Reduced non-revenue water and operational inefficiencies

Beyond the immediate benefits, Eagar has established a stronger foundation for future system improvements, demonstrating how the right investment can extend far beyond a single project.