Apply Now: Improving Water Pricing and Conservation with AMI

Deadline: 26-Oct-2026

The Water Research Foundation is inviting eligible organisations to submit research proposals exploring how advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) data can improve water pricing, conservation, affordability, and rate design. Applicants can request up to $275,000 in funding for an 18-month research project examining current utility practices, advanced analytics, and ways to balance conservation, equity, and revenue stability.

About the Water Research Foundation Research Project

The project aims to advance the use of advanced metering infrastructure data by water utilities. AMI systems generate detailed information about water consumption that can help utilities better understand customer demand and develop more informed approaches to pricing, conservation, and affordability. The research will evaluate how utilities currently use AMI data and identify opportunities for expanded applications, including advanced analytics and machine learning. The project will also examine challenges faced by utilities and regulators when attempting to balance: - Water conservation - Customer affordability - Equity - Revenue stability - Effective rate design What Will the Research Explore? The proposed research should examine how AMI data can support smarter and more responsive water management.

Key areas include:

- Water pricing strategies - Water conservation programs - Emergency water curtailment - Affordability initiatives - Water rate design - Future AMI implementation - Advanced data analytics - Machine learning applications - Adaptive rate structures - Dynamic rate structures - Identification of households at risk of financial hardship - Customer class categorization - Household-size-based dynamic tiering - Better targeting of conservation interventions - Better targeting of affordability programs Using AMI Data for Water Pricing One important area of the research is understanding how utilities can use detailed consumption data to improve pricing decisions. AMI data may allow utilities to better understand customer consumption patterns and use that information when developing or evaluating rate structures. The research should consider how data-driven approaches can support rates that encourage conservation while remaining equitable and financially sustainable. AMI Data and Water Conservation The project will examine the role of AMI data in designing and improving conservation programs.

Potential applications include:

- Identifying unusual consumption patterns - Improving conservation targeting - Measuring customer responses to conservation measures - Supporting emergency curtailment programs - Evaluating the effectiveness of conservation interventions - Developing more adaptive conservation strategies The research should consider how better data can help utilities direct conservation resources where they can have the greatest impact. Affordability and At-Risk Households Another major focus is the potential use of AMI data to improve water affordability initiatives. Advanced analytics could potentially help utilities identify households that may be experiencing financial hardship or are at risk of becoming unable to afford essential water services.

Research may explore:

- Early identification of hardship - Identification of at-risk households - Improved affordability program targeting - Customer consumption patterns - Data-informed customer support - More equitable allocation of assistance The research should also consider privacy, equity and responsible use of customer data when developing these approaches. Advanced Analytics and Machine Learning The project will investigate how advanced analytics, including machine learning, could expand the value of AMI data.

Potential applications include:

Adaptive or Dynamic Rate Structures Research may explore whether data analytics can support rate structures that respond more effectively to changing consumption patterns and customer circumstances. Customer Class Categorization Advanced analytics could help utilities better classify customers based on consumption characteristics and other relevant factors. Dynamic Tiering The research may examine the possibility of developing water rate tiers that account for factors such as household size and consumption patterns. Early Hardship Detection Machine learning could potentially help identify consumption patterns associated with households at risk of financial hardship, allowing utilities to consider earlier intervention. Targeted Conservation Programs Analytics could help utilities identify customers or areas where conservation interventions may be most effective. Targeted Affordability Support Data-driven approaches could also help utilities improve the targeting of affordability initiatives. Balancing Conservation, Equity and Revenue Stability Water utilities and regulators must often balance competing objectives. For example, increasing water prices or introducing stronger conservation incentives may encourage lower consumption but could also create affordability concerns. At the same time, reduced water consumption can affect utility revenues and financial stability. The research will therefore examine how improved AMI data can help utilities and regulators better understand these tradeoffs.

Key considerations include:

- Conservation objectives - Customer equity - Water affordability - Revenue stability - Rate structure effectiveness - Regulatory considerations - Customer impacts Current Practices and Future Opportunities The project will evaluate how utilities are currently using AMI data and identify areas where implementation can be expanded.

Applicants should consider both:

- Existing applications of AMI data - Future opportunities for data-driven water management The research should provide useful information that can help utilities plan for more advanced applications of AMI technology and analytics. Research Questions to Consider Strong proposals may explore questions such as: - How a