AFC SEMPER® RPM Helps Portland, Tennessee, Gain System Knowledge and Improve Non-Revenue Water

A key component of operating a water system is understanding and monitoring water pressure. By doing so, water utilities can see pressure drops and surges and respond accordingly to prevent leaks and main breaks, while delivering valuable water services to customers. The city of Portland, Tennessee, is no exception.

About a year ago, Portland’s Head Utility Inspector Tom O’Loughlin reached out to Greg Thurman with Hayes Pipe Supply about available options to better monitor pressure in the city’s water distribution system. Portland serves more than 8,100 customers and has more than 265 miles of pipe. Thurman recommended the AMERICAN Flow Control SEMPER® Remote Pressure Monitor (RPM). “He told us the AFC SEMPER RPM was the best in the market and would give us the capabilities we were looking for,” O’Loughlin said.

The city of Portland purchased several AFC SEMPER RPMs in July 2023 and has plans to purchase more units. The AFC SEMPER RPM is a wireless, battery-powered pressure recorder that can be installed on any hydrant or system asset. The device’s “Lift and Shift” mobility allows utilities to move the units throughout their systems to monitor water pressure, help identify transients and reduce non-revenue water. In Portland, it is primarily being used on fire hydrants at industrial sites and water tanks.

With the AFC SEMPER RPM, we now have instantaneous access to pressure drops by setting up alarms in the system. We’ve also found the software to be easy to use. Getting daily knowledge about what’s happening in our distribution system is very beneficial.

“We wanted to learn more about the pressure in our system,” O’Loughlin said. “At the time, the only way we were able to monitor water pressure was through our two booster stations, but this wasn’t telling us what was going on in the middle of town. With the AFC SEMPER RPM, we now have instantaneous access to pressure drops by setting up alarms in the system. We’ve also found the software to be easy to use. Getting daily knowledge about what’s happening in our distribution system is very beneficial.”  

O’Loughlin said early detection of leaks has been a major benefit for the city. “The water department supervisor and I review findings from the AFC SEMPER RPM every day,” he said. “We can see trends and investigate leaks before they become a major issue. These units have given us a better understanding of pressure throughout our system. They also allow us to gain knowledge without putting man hours in.”

Another issue the AFC SEMPER RPM has helped the city address is non-revenue water. “We have an aging system and have seen instances of water theft,” O’Loughlin said. “With these units, we’ve been able to improve our non-revenue water and expect that number to continue to decrease.

“When we received our first AFC SEMPER RPMs, Clint Alford with AFC came down to help us set up the units and software,” O’Loughlin continued. “He also showed us how to install and move the units from one location to another. Anytime we’ve had questions, Clint has answered them and guided us through the process. We’re happy with the units and AMERICAN products as a whole.”

To learn more about the AFC SEMPER RPM, visit AFC SEMPER® Remote Pressure Monitor (RPM) with Impulse Technology | AMERICAN.