Page 22 - U4SSC Factsheet, Pully, Switzerland, June 2020

Pully mandates the installation or retrofitting of smart meters in homes throughout the city. New smart
meters can utilize an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system to provide remote meter reading, data
analysis and alerts for possible leak or flow problems. This real-time data could help ensure billing accuracy,
and allow city staff and residents the ability to detect potential issues and avoid unnecessary water costs.
Another advantage to using smart meters is that with traditional meters, city employees have to visit homes
to read water meters (usually on a monthly basis). Advanced metering systems eliminate this requirement,
thereby taking vehicles off the road, which reduces a city’s carbon footprint and provides a fairer, and more
accurate and efficient, way to administer water use in the city.

It is recommended that Pully rolls out the smart meters in phases, with communication regarding each phase
disseminated to residents in advance. A letter should be sent to residents 1–2 weeks prior to installation in
their area, with a website set up to keep residents up to date on the progress of installations. A web-based
reporting system should also be set up by the utility or city to help residents track their daily water use
after installation, and learn about strategies for saving water and reducing their utility bill.
The communication to residents should also include information on the typical amount of time that
the installation of a new meter and communication module is expected to take. Testing will likely be
conducted to ensure that the installation is properly complete, and this should also be incorporated into
the communication with residents.

Furthermore, residents should be informed about:
• how the smart water meter system works and how it benefits them;

• the total cost and payback period for implementing the meters;
• whether the wireless technology used will affect residents’ health and privacy;

• what residents can do to prepare for the installation;
• who has been contracted to conduct the installations (and whether their employees can be
identified with a uniform, identification badge and/or vehicles with the company name and logo); and
• where residents can obtain more information.

Recommendations ITU-T Y.4000 to Y.4999: ‘Internet of things and smart cities and communities’ contain
guidance on IoT applications and ubiquitous sensor networking. All cities can also benefit from Supplement
ITU-T Y Suppl. 36: ITU-T Y.4550-Y.4699: ‘Smart water management in cities’.

16 U4SSC Factsheet | Pully, Switzerland | June 2020