BPUB Receives Grant for Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project
The Brownsville Public Utilities Board (BPUB) announces the award of $5 million from the United States Department of Interior Bureau of Reclamation WaterSMART Grants: Water and Energy Efficiency Grant. This grant will specifically support BPUB’s Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Project.
AMI is a state-of-the-art system aimed at improving the efficiency and accuracy of metering electric and water consumption by using smart meters, communications networks and data management systems to enable two-way communication between utilities and customers. The system provides the ability to automatically and remotely measure electricity use. BPUB will install a Customer Engagement Portal that will allow customers to view their bills, payments and daily consumption history. Access to this information will allow customers to monitor their electric and water consumption more accurately in “near real-time” and adjust their habits, thereby saving resources and money.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Bureau of Reclamation for their support of our Advanced Metering Infrastructure Project,” General Manager & CEO Marilyn Gilbert said. “This funding will allow us to continue our mission of providing reliable and sustainable utility services to our community.”
The WaterSMART Grants: Water and Energy Efficiency Grant is a highly competitive program that provides funding to organizations working to improve water management and conservation. BPUB is honored to have been selected for this grant and will continue its work to enhance the sustainability of its utility services.
BPUB wants to extend a thank you to E Source, the company that led the work on the grant application, along with the BPUB Finance Department for assisting with the application. This grant will help ensure greater water reliability and efficiency in the BPUB service territory.
BPUB will provide customers with more information about the AMI Project via its website as the project progresses.