About

What is Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)?

Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) is a metering technology that enables communication between the City of Corona Utilities Department and our community’s water meters. This leading-edge tool allows us to collect water usage data in near real-time and provides a more convenient, informed experience as you manage your water bill.

How Does AMI Work?

Frequently Asked Questions

  • AMI connects standard water meters to low-powered radio transmitters that regularly transmit usage data to our secure, encrypted system. In turn, you can use our convenient customer portal to view hourly data about your water usage.

  • The City of Corona would use AMI to collect a range of data related to water usage and system performance. This includes:

    Hourly Meter Readings: The AMI system automatically captures water consumption data every hour, allowing for near real-time monitoring of customer usage. This helps both the City and its customers track water usage trends and make informed conservation decisions.

    Meter Identification and Status: Each water meter has a unique ID, which the system uses to identify where data is coming from. This helps the city associate usage data with specific accounts or properties. The system also monitors the operational status of each meter to detect if it's working correctly.

    Diagnostic and Maintenance Alerts: AMI systems collect diagnostic data that can indicate issues such as:

    • Leaks (constant usage over time)

    • Backflow incidents (water flowing in the wrong direction)

    • Tampering or unusual usage patterns

    • Battery levels and communication errors in the meter equipment 

    System Efficiency Metrics: Data gathered can help city staff detect water loss across the distribution system, assess peak usage times, and plan infrastructure improvements more effectively.

    By collecting and analyzing this information, the City of Corona can enhance its water management practices, quickly respond to potential issues, reduce manual meter reading costs, and support conservation efforts.

  • AMI offers many benefits to our customers, including:

    • Hourly water usage data to inform your household water usage

    • Money saved from enhanced data

    • Promptly detected leaks and repairs

    • Enhanced customer service with detailed water consumption breakdowns

    • An accessible, convenient online customer portal experience at MyAccount.CoronaCA.gov

  • The two-year rollout of the City of Corona Utilities Department’s AMI is projected to be completed in Summer 2027.

  • The City of Corona Utilities Department and its installation consultants, PMI, will make every effort to minimize the impact on your day. Customers can expect their water service to be temporarily turned off for approximately 15 minutes during the meter replacement. You should receive a postcard several weeks prior, and PMI installers will attempt to contact you in person on the day of replacement.

    Please note, PMI installers are easily identifiable by their company vehicles, uniforms, identification badges, and vehicle magnets with the City of Corona seal. They will conduct the meter replacements Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • The City of Corona Utilities Department and its installation consultants, PMI, will leave a doorhanger updating you on your AMI meter upgrade status. If PMI is unable to complete the upgrade due to obstructions, vegetation, or debris, you will be asked to clear the area within 24 hours for PMI to proceed. If not removed, PMI will continue the AMI installation and clear the obstruction, which may require cutting down any plants or tree branches in the way.

  • The City of Corona Utilities Department and its installation consultants, PMI, are unable to install a different-sized meter for any account. All customers must contact the Planning and Development Services Division for any meter size change requests.

  • This project is funded by a $2 million grant from the Bureau of Reclamation and the City of Corona’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).

  • Extensive research and testing have established that the radio frequency emissions from AMI are safe and well below safety standards set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

    AMI emits a signal for a fraction of a second per day and produces lower energy than common household items such as laptops, cell phones, and baby monitors. Your distance from the signal is also likely to result in extremely minimal exposure. There are no demonstrated health risks associated with AMI.

  • Electromagnetic fields, radio waves, microwaves, and wireless signals are collectively referred to as Radio Frequency (RF) energy. All devices that rely on wireless technology emit RF energy. This energy is all around us in various electronics and appliances, including radio and television broadcasting, cell phones, satellite communications, microwaves, and radar.

    The RF frequency and waves emitted by advanced meters are comparable to those of a typical cell phone or Wi-Fi router, though much less frequent and in incremental bursts.

  • The RF used by AMI emits a low-energy, non-ionizing radiation. It does not have enough energy to damage DNA in any way. According to the latest findings from the World Health Organization, low-energy RF signals emitted from antennas, wireless networks, and gateways have no adverse effects on health nor pose any cancer risk. There are no current health concerns directly associated with RF in low doses over a long-term period of exposure.

  • No. Customers will not be billed an additional fee for their AMI meter upgrades. This project is funded by a $2 million grant from the Bureau of Reclamation and the City of Corona’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).