Currently utility employees use handheld data collection devices to read your meter. Some meters are read from a distance, and some must be manually entered into the devices. Once the readings are collected in the devices the information is imported to our billing software to help produce your monthly billing statement. Black River Falls Municipal Utilities is in the process of transitioning to AMI meter reading and when completely implemented, the utility employees will no longer walk to each and every meter to ‘read the meter’.
In some cases, or during certain times of year when we are not able to get close enough to your meter, our data collection devices are not able to communicate with your meter to deliver consumption data. In that event, we provide you with an estimated billing statement. That estimate is based on your normal usage history for that time of year. Any difference between the amount actually used and the estimated amount billed is corrected automatically when the next regular meter reading is obtained. Ultimately, you pay only for the amount actually used.