Cooperative Agreement 02F51101

DESCRIPTION:THIS AGREEMENT PROVIDES FUNDING TO THE TOWN OF FARMERVILLE, LOUISIANA TO IMPLEMENT ITS PROJECT TO PURCHASE AND INSTALL AN ADVANCED WATER METERING INFRASTRUCTURE (AMI) SYSTEM AS DIRECTED IN THE 2023 CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT OR AS IDENTIFIED IN AN APPROVED TECHNICAL CORRECTION IF ONE HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR THIS PROJECT. THIS PROJECT WILL FULLY AUTOMATE THE PROCESSES ASSOCIATED WITH MONITORING/MEASURING/CONSERVING WATER PRODUCED BY THE TOWN OF FARMERVILLE FOR ITS CITIZENS. THE PROJECT WORK WILL INCLUDE AMI INFRASTRUCTURE INSTALLATION, SOFTWARE SETUP/INTEGRATION, STAFFING, AND FIELD DEPLOYMENT TO RESULT IN A COMPLETE AMI SYSTEM TO SERVE APPROXIMATELY 2,000 CUSTOMERS IN THE TOWN OF FARMERVILLE, LA. ACTIVITIES:THE ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED CONSISTS OF THE PURCHASE, INSTALLATION, AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A FIXED NETWORK WHICH WILL PROVIDE HOURLY METER READINGS FOR ALL WATER SERVICE CUSTOMERS FOR AN EXPECTED LIFE-SPAN OF 20 YEARS. THE PROJECT WILL INVOLVE THE UPGRADE/REPLACEMENT OF METERS CURRENTLY IN-PLACE TO PROVIDE THE DESIRED READINGS. THE PROJECT INCLUDES ALL HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE THAT TOGETHER COMPRISE A COMPLETE AMI SYSTEM. THIS INCLUDES METERS, METER INTERFACE UNITS, DATA COLLECTION UNITS, A METER READING DATABASE OR METER DATA MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (MDMS), AND RELATED SOFTWARE AND INTERFACES. THESE WATER METERS ARE SOLID STATE, BATTERY OPERATED ELECTROMAGNETIC FLOW MEASUREMENT SYSTEM WITH A HERMETICALLY SEALED, GLASS COVERED, ELECTRONIC REGISTER WITH A PROGRAMMABLE 9-DIGIT DISPLAY. THIS METER ASSEMBLY IS INTENDED WHERE MEASUREMENT OF BOTH DOMESTIC AND FIRE SERVICE WATER USAGE IS DESIRED.SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES: THE PROJECT WORK WILL INCLUDE AMI INFRASTRUCTURE INSTALLATION, SOFTWARE SETUP/INTEGRATION, STAFFING, AND FIELD DEPLOYMENT TO RESULT IN A COMPLETE AMI SYSTEM TO SERVE APPROXIMATELY 2,000 CUSTOMERS IN THE TOWN OF FARMERVILLE, LOUISIANA (LA). INSTALLATION OF A FIXED COMMUNICATION NETWORK AND INTEGRATED SOFTWARE WITH THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS: - THE FIXED NETWORK ALLOWS REMOTE MONITORING THE TOWN TO BE PROACTIVE IN RESPONDING TO SYSTEM AND CUSTOMER LEAKS. ADDITIONALLY, THE NETWORK PROVIDES A STABLE, RELIABLE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE WATER SYSTEM. - THE ABILITY TO REMOTELY TURN WATER FLOW ON/OFF PROVIDES FOR MORE EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF DRINKING WATER. SHOULD WATER USE BE INDICATED WHERE A CUSTOMER IS NOT ASSIGNED AND/OR WHERE SERVICES IS LOCKED FOR NON-PAYMENT. THIS REDUCTION OF WATER THEFT HELPS ENSURE ALL CUSTOMERS PAY FOR THE WATER THEY USE. - ACCURATE MEASUREMENT NOT ONLY ALLOWS CORRECT BILLING, BUT ALSO PROVIDES DATA TO COMPARE WATER PRODUCED TO WATER SOLD. THIS IN TURN ALLOWS THE TOWN TO DETERMINE IF WATER LOSS IS OCCURRING IN THE SYSTEM. THE DETECTION OF WATER LOSS DIRECTLY AFFECTS THE AMOUNT OF NEEDED FROM THE SPARTA AQUIFER WHICH SERVES THE TOWN OF FARMERVILLE. - CONSERVATION/PROTECTION OF THE AQUIFER IS CRITICAL TO THE REGIONAL LONG-TERM AVAILABILITY OF CLEAN, FRESH WATER FOR THE NORTH LA REGION. - LEAK ALARMS ALSO ALLOW CONSERVATION OF THE AQUIFER. SHOULD A CUSTOMER(S) HAVE CONTINUOUS FLOW, THE TOWN WILL BE MADE AWARE OF THE CONDITION SO CORRECTIVE ACTION CAN BE TAKEN. STOPPING THE LEAKS EARLY WILL DECREASE THE AMOUNT OF WASTED WATER BY THOUSANDS OF GALLONS ANNUALLY. - THE ABILITY TO NOTIFY CUSTOMERS WHEN A LEAK OCCURS ALSO PREVENTS THAT CUSTOMER FROM INCURRING LARGE BILLS. THIS IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT IN THE LOW-INCOME AREAS OF THE TOWN. BILLS IN THE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS IS STRESSFUL AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO PAY FOR CITIZENS LIVING PAYCHECK-TO-PAYCHECK. - ELECTRICAL ENERGY CONSERVATION IS ALSO ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH EARLY DETECTION OF LEAKS. TREATMENT, PRODUCTION, AND DISTRIBUTION OF DRINKING WATER REQUIRES ELECTRICITY. BY REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF WATER LOST TO LEAKS, THE AMOUNT OF ELECTRICITY REQUIRED BY THE SYSTEM IS THEREBY REDUCED.