Workers used to check some 60,000 water meters once a month. Now the new meters record water usage each hour and transmit that usage data by radio four times per day.

Knowing hourly water usage lets the department rapidly identify abnormal conditions. Instead of having to field questions from testy customers surprised by high bills, the water department now proactively contacts customers to alert them to the possibility of a running toilet or garden hose. It's a revolutionary change.

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