(FREDERICKSBURG, VA) September 24, 2025 – The City of Fredericksburg yesterday celebrated the completion of Phase I of the AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) Project with a ribbon cutting at the City Shop. This Project is a major milestone in the modernization of the City’s water utility system. This citywide initiative has replaced or upgraded all water meters with new smart meter technology, enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and customer service. This phase was completed ahead of schedule.
Yesterday, September 23rd, the City celebrated the completion of Phase I of the AMI Water Meter Project with a ribbon cutting ceremony at Fredericksburg’s City Shop. The event marked the culmination of years of planning and investment in Fredericksburg’s water system made up of 8,752 meters, recognizing the teamwork and dedication that brought the project to fruition. The ceremony highlighted how this initiative represents a major investment in improved service, operational efficiency, and long-term reliability for Fredericksburg’s residents and businesses.
The City invested $4.5 million in this comprehensive upgrade, replacing infrastructure that was at the end of its useful life, with work beginning in September 2024. Before this project, water meters transmitted readings via radio technology to Public Works crews that drove through the City. If that process failed, the meters had to be read manually. At the time the project commenced there were 3700 manually read meters across the City. The new AMI technology eliminates the need for these manual readings, resulting in long-term savings of about $150,000 per year while improving service delivery.
This project was truly a team effort,” said Will Morris, Director of Public Works. “It brought together the expertise of our Public Works, Utility Billing, Finance and Information Technology teams, along with the strong support of our partners at Badger Meter and Concord Utility Services. Their collaboration made it possible to deliver this major infrastructure upgrade ahead of schedule and under budget for our community.”
About the AMI Project
Badger Meter supplied the “endpoint” devices to securely transmit water usage data 3 times per day in 15-minute usage increments over a cellular network. This technology allows staff to remotely collect and review usage data to identify unusual usage patterns that may indicate leaks allowing for a more dynamic customer service experience. If needed, Badger also supplied new replacement meters that included the new AMI technology.
Concord Utility Services installed the new technology across the City. If a full replacement of the meter was needed, that installation took 30 to 45 minutes and required only a brief water shutoff. Residents received advance notification and follow-up notices once their meters were upgraded.
Phase 2 of this project will launch the Eye on Water app in the next year, allowing for City water customers to monitor and interact with their own water usage data. This technology will further aid in water conservation efforts by empowering water customers with real time usage information. Work has already begun on this next phase of the project. Further information will be provided when this feature is available for use by the City water customers.
Benefits for Residents
With the project now complete, the City is already seeing significant benefits:
- Removes the need for radio and manual reading, reducing staff time and vehicle use.
- Improves meter accuracy which minimizes billing variances, enhancing consistency and transparency in customer billing processes.
- Transfers data quickly to allow City staff and customers to identify and address potential leaks quickly, reducing water loss and costs.
“Completing this phase and the project marks another transformative moment for the City’s public utilities,” said Mayor Kerry Devine. “Not only will residents benefit from more accurate billing and faster water-leak detection, but the ongoing cost savings allow us to allocate resources more effectively across all City services. City Council has prioritized such investments in our infrastructure to better position our city for the future.”
The completion of the AMI Meter Project places Fredericksburg among other forward-thinking communities nationwide that are adopting smart water infrastructure to support sustainable growth and improved customer service.
For more information about the AMI Meter Project, visit: fredericksburgva.gov/AMI-Meter-Project