{ "schemaVersion": "1.0.0", "constitutionVersion": "1.0.0", "createdAt": "2026-08-12T00:00:00Z", "description": "Append-only Evidence Passport records. Old revisions are immutable; corrections create a new revision and preserve the previous permalink.", "entity": { "type": "project", "id": "atlanta-smart-water-meters", "title": "Smart Water Meter Rollout", "canonicalUrl": "https://1001smartcities.org/projects/atlanta-smart-water-meters/" }, "currentRevisionId": "2026-10-13-editorial-decisions", "revisions": [ { "id": "2026-10-11-baseline", "createdAt": "2026-10-11T21:50:19Z", "effectiveAt": "2026-10-11", "changeType": "baseline", "summary": "Created the first structured Evidence Passport with 14 claims and 7 source dossiers.", "preparedBy": { "type": "automation", "label": "AI-assisted evidence preparation", "humanApproved": false }, "review": { "status": "unreviewed", "by": null, "date": null, "note": "Awaiting operator and domain-expert review; publication of this revision implies neither." }, "changes": [ { "operation": "add", "path": "/evidencePassport", "summary": "Added claim-level evidence mapping and source dossiers." }, { "operation": "add", "path": "/revisionHistory", "summary": "Established a permanent, hash-addressed baseline revision." } ], "snapshotHash": "sha256:42287917958b9b2d679a390fedbfed5d0a3d4fd9242afdaef51014c8ff9ca83b", "snapshot": { "asOf": "2026-10-11", "projectFingerprint": "sha256:d6d5451bb6005e77adf530b897d67aac42aad097990e9d22674cf30c5ddc7f12", "assurance": { "status": "unreviewed", "scope": "evidence-passport-revision", "statement": "AI-assisted structural preparation. This revision has not been reviewed by a human or subject-matter expert.", "machineChecks": [ "schema", "publication-diff-contract", "material-project-fingerprint", "claim-text-drift", "source-reference-resolution", "complete-source-dossier", "snapshot-hash" ] }, "projectState": { "status": "construction", "outcome": "ongoing", "evidenceGrade": "independent", "timeline": { "started": 2025, "ended": null } }, "governance": { "operator": "City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management", "actorTypes": [ "utility" ], "fundingModel": "utility", "fundingDescription": "Not published for the meter rollout; the department is funded from the city's Water & Wastewater Revenue enterprise fund", "cost": null, "ownership": null, "decisionRights": null, "exitConditions": null }, "claims": [ { "id": "clm-36020331ece08e1c", "field": "snippet", "text": "announced in 2025 a six-year, citywide replacement of its aging meter fleet", "statementKind": "quantitative", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-99b07c26edf4e00e" ], "supportNote": "In July 2025 the commissioner said the department is beginning a six-year rollout of upgraded smart meters, replacing a 15-year-old metering system.", "caveat": "No source after July 2025 reports meters actually being installed; in September 2026 the switch was still described as a long-term plan.", "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-b02bbf1d97c74e8b", "field": "snippet", "text": "meant to give roughly 174,000 accounts a smart meter that reports usage in near real time", "statementKind": "quantitative", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-99b07c26edf4e00e" ], "supportNote": "The commissioner said about 174,000 accounts are on the system and that the new meters give customers real-time access to their usage.", "caveat": "The article does not say every account will receive a new meter; the city auditor counted over 177,000 active accounts in April 2026.", "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-af97bb2099468a40", "field": "snippet", "text": "instead of relying on manual or estimated readings", "statementKind": "descriptive", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-99b07c26edf4e00e", "src-42c1700b964b238e" ], "supportNote": "The commissioner says broken meters lead to estimated reads; the auditor describes readings taken electronically or manually when automated meters fail, and estimated when neither works.", "caveat": null, "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-5f268ebc0ff148b8", "field": "snippet", "text": "The rollout follows years of billing disputes and lawsuits over inflated 'estimated' bills from broken meters", "statementKind": "descriptive", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-99b07c26edf4e00e", "src-c82e1edab35caea0" ], "supportNote": "FOX 5 reports customers denied adjustments who sued and won; the 2013 audit describes estimated bills as a long-standing cause of disputes and a dispute process streamlined after customer lawsuits.", "caveat": null, "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-d2e2bb2e5fdb54f3", "field": "snippet", "text": "runs alongside Mayor Andre Dickens' $2 billion, 20-year water-infrastructure plan announced in 2025", "statementKind": "quantitative", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-f4fa5f23b4350f17", "src-99b07c26edf4e00e" ], "supportNote": "GPB reports the March 2025 announcement of an estimated $2 billion over 20 years to replace pipes and other water assets; FOX 5 mentions it next to the meter rollout.", "caveat": "No source says the meter rollout is funded from or part of the $2 billion programme.", "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-efff4c3d8a222664", "field": "snippet", "text": "no independent measurement of leak-detection or billing-accuracy gains has yet been published", "statementKind": "descriptive", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-42c1700b964b238e" ], "supportNote": "The City Auditor's August 2026 follow-up says the department has not reported progress toward implementing the 2023 recommendations, including the one on meter infrastructure; no evaluation of new meters exists.", "caveat": null, "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-4cb9221f8402e208", "field": "lesson", "text": "A billing crisis born from broken meters is to be fixed with meters again", "statementKind": "descriptive", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-99b07c26edf4e00e", "src-c82e1edab35caea0" ], "supportNote": "The 2013 audit documents the earlier automated-meter rollout from 2006; FOX 5 reports the new rollout as the answer to estimated bills from broken meters.", "caveat": null, "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-701320c6fc21003b", "field": "lesson", "text": "the city has not yet published evidence it also reduces real water loss", "statementKind": "descriptive", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-42c1700b964b238e" ], "supportNote": "No city report evaluates the new meters; the 2026 follow-up records no reported progress on the meter recommendation.", "caveat": null, "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-5324435e13b0c379", "field": "lesson", "text": "the radio-read meters it began installing in 2006 cut estimated bills from 10% of billings in 2008 and 2009 to 1% in 2012, according to the City Auditor", "statementKind": "quantitative", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-c82e1edab35caea0" ], "supportNote": "The 2013 audit: automated reads were 96% of bills in the first half of 2012, estimated and forced reads 1%, down from 10% in 2008 and 2009.", "caveat": "The 2013 audit adds that disputes and meter-check requests stayed fairly stable despite the drop.", "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-3b1d939ba6a16ddc", "field": "lesson", "text": "by May 2023 8.81% of accounts were billed on estimates, against an industry median of 0.1%", "statementKind": "quantitative", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-611fb29d6bdeb05f" ], "supportNote": "The 2023 audit: in May 2023 the department billed 170,798 accounts, 15,047 (8.81%) on estimates; the AWWA benchmarking survey median for 2020 was 0.1%.", "caveat": null, "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-8a84392b7951e6ea", "field": "lesson", "text": "which the auditor tied to too few field staff and a backlog of meter repair work orders", "statementKind": "descriptive", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-611fb29d6bdeb05f" ], "supportNote": "The auditor writes that the increase in estimated reads may be due to insufficient field staff and a backlog of unresolved meter investigation and repair work orders.", "caveat": "The auditor says 'may be due to'; management replied that new technology, not more staff, is the answer.", "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-50337688a69da721", "field": "lesson", "text": "in May 2023 the then commissioner said all meters would be replaced in a minimum of three years", "statementKind": "quantitative", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-6b4a3bf61390ac6e" ], "supportNote": "FOX 5 reports Commissioner Mikita Browning announcing smart meters to replace existing technology, with replacing all meters estimated to take a minimum of three years.", "caveat": null, "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-c42db7f9e86d7c05", "field": "lesson", "text": "in September 2026 the switch to smart meters was still described as a long-term plan", "statementKind": "quantitative", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-18ecf64a8aa609de" ], "supportNote": "WSB-TV's report of 30 September 2026 closes: long-term plans call for transitioning the city water network to automated smart meters.", "caveat": null, "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-dd4fc7e717b61103", "field": "lesson", "text": "New meters fix estimated bills only for as long as someone repairs them.", "statementKind": "descriptive", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-c82e1edab35caea0", "src-611fb29d6bdeb05f" ], "supportNote": "The 2013 audit shows estimates falling to 1% after automation; the 2023 audit shows them back at 8.75% with repair backlogs.", "caveat": "Editorial conclusion drawn from the two audits.", "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } } ], "sources": [ { "id": "src-99b07c26edf4e00e", "title": "FOX 5 Atlanta, \"Atlanta's new watershed commissioner vows to tackle sky-high water bills with modern solutions\"", "url": "https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/atlantas-new-watershed-commissioner-vows-tackle-sky-high-water-bills-modern-solutions", "publisher": { "name": null, "domain": "fox5atlanta.com", "classification": "not-classified" }, "sourceType": "web-page", "language": "und", "role": "claim-evidence", "claimRefs": [ "clm-36020331ece08e1c", "clm-b02bbf1d97c74e8b", "clm-af97bb2099468a40", "clm-5f268ebc0ff148b8", "clm-d2e2bb2e5fdb54f3", "clm-4cb9221f8402e208" ], "temporal": { "publishedAt": "2025-07-08", "updatedAt": null, "sourceCheckedAt": null, "recordLastVerifiedAt": "2026-10-11", "dossierCreatedAt": "2026-10-11", "retrievedAt": null, "status": "publication-and-record-dates-recorded" }, "locator": { "type": "descriptive-source-note", "value": "Interview with Commissioner Greg Eyerly: estimated reads result from broken meters; about 174,000 accounts are on the system; the department is beginning a six-year rollout of upgraded smart meters giving customers real-time access to their usage, replacing a 15-year-old metering system; two customers who were denied adjustments by the appeals board sued the city and won; mentions the mayor's $2 billion, 20-year water investment announced earlier in the year.", "exact": false }, "preservation": { "archiveUrl": null, "archivedAt": null, "contentHash": null, "status": "not-captured" } }, { "id": "src-6b4a3bf61390ac6e", "title": "FOX 5 Atlanta — Atlanta Water makes wholesale replacement of water meters (May 2023)", "url": "https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/atlanta-water-wholesale-replacement-meters", "publisher": { "name": null, "domain": "fox5atlanta.com", "classification": "not-classified" }, "sourceType": "web-page", "language": "und", "role": "claim-evidence", "claimRefs": [ "clm-50337688a69da721" ], "temporal": { "publishedAt": "2023-05-30", "updatedAt": null, "sourceCheckedAt": null, "recordLastVerifiedAt": "2026-10-11", "dossierCreatedAt": "2026-10-11", "retrievedAt": null, "status": "publication-and-record-dates-recorded" }, "locator": { "type": "descriptive-source-note", "value": "Then-commissioner Mikita Browning announces that new 'smart' meters will replace existing technology so that usage and leaks can be read remotely; a council member recalls meters installed the wrong way in the previous wholesale replacement; replacing all meters estimated to take a minimum of three years.", "exact": false }, "preservation": { "archiveUrl": null, "archivedAt": null, "contentHash": null, "status": "not-captured" } }, { "id": "src-611fb29d6bdeb05f", "title": "Atlanta City Auditor — Performance Audit: Water Billing and Collections (December 2023)", "url": "https://www.atlaudit.org/water-billing--collections---december-2023.html", "publisher": { "name": null, "domain": "atlaudit.org", "classification": "not-classified" }, "sourceType": "web-page", "language": "und", "role": "claim-evidence", "claimRefs": [ "clm-3b1d939ba6a16ddc", "clm-8a84392b7951e6ea", "clm-dd4fc7e717b61103" ], "temporal": { "publishedAt": "2023-12-07", "updatedAt": null, "sourceCheckedAt": null, "recordLastVerifiedAt": "2026-10-11", "dossierCreatedAt": "2026-10-11", "retrievedAt": null, "status": "publication-and-record-dates-recorded" }, "locator": { "type": "descriptive-source-note", "value": "City Auditor's performance audit: the monthly bill estimation rate rose from a median of about 3.6% in 2020 to 8.75% as of May 2023 (15,047 of 170,798 accounts, 8.81%, estimated in May 2023) against an AWWA benchmark median of 0.1%; likely causes are insufficient field staff and a backlog of meter investigation and repair work orders; management replies that it is piloting replacement of faulty meters with new technology, expanding citywide over time, with an estimated implementation date of December 2029.", "exact": false }, "preservation": { "archiveUrl": null, "archivedAt": null, "contentHash": null, "status": "not-captured" } }, { "id": "src-42c1700b964b238e", "title": "Atlanta City Auditor — Water Billing and Collections Follow-Up (August 2026)", "url": "https://www.atlaudit.org/department-of-watershed-management-water-billing-and-collections-follow-up---august-2026.html", "publisher": { "name": null, "domain": "atlaudit.org", "classification": "not-classified" }, "sourceType": "web-page", "language": "und", "role": "claim-evidence", "claimRefs": [ "clm-af97bb2099468a40", "clm-efff4c3d8a222664", "clm-701320c6fc21003b" ], "temporal": { "publishedAt": "2026-08-06", "updatedAt": null, "sourceCheckedAt": null, "recordLastVerifiedAt": "2026-10-11", "dossierCreatedAt": "2026-10-11", "retrievedAt": null, "status": "publication-and-record-dates-recorded" }, "locator": { "type": "descriptive-source-note", "value": "Follow-up audit on collections: delinquent balance grew from $198 million to $236 million on 60,168 accounts by April 2026; the department billed over 177,000 active accounts in April 2026; readings come from automated meters or manually when they fail; the department says it is addressing the 2023 recommendations but has not reported progress toward implementing them.", "exact": false }, "preservation": { "archiveUrl": null, "archivedAt": null, "contentHash": null, "status": "not-captured" } }, { "id": "src-c82e1edab35caea0", "title": "Atlanta City Auditor — Water Meter Reading, Estimates and Adjusted Billings (May 2013)", "url": "https://www.atlaudit.org/water-meter-readings-estimates-and-adjusted-billings-may-2013.html", "publisher": { "name": null, "domain": "atlaudit.org", "classification": "not-classified" }, "sourceType": "web-page", "language": "und", "role": "claim-evidence", "claimRefs": [ "clm-5f268ebc0ff148b8", "clm-4cb9221f8402e208", "clm-5324435e13b0c379", "clm-dd4fc7e717b61103" ], "temporal": { "publishedAt": null, "updatedAt": null, "sourceCheckedAt": null, "recordLastVerifiedAt": "2026-10-11", "dossierCreatedAt": "2026-10-11", "retrievedAt": null, "status": "record-date-only" }, "locator": { "type": "descriptive-source-note", "value": "Earlier audit: automated meter reading, installed from 2006, accounted for 96% of bills in the first half of 2012; estimated and forced reads were 1%, down from 10% in 2008 and 2009; disputes and meter-check requests stayed fairly stable; the department's own evaluation found only one-third of small meters met all standards.", "exact": false }, "preservation": { "archiveUrl": null, "archivedAt": null, "contentHash": null, "status": "not-captured" } }, { "id": "src-18ecf64a8aa609de", "title": "WSB-TV — City addresses thousands of late water accounts (30 Sep 2026)", "url": "https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/city-addresses-thousands-late-water-accounts/27B5FTFSV5FC7JRSUVT4SD45HY/", "publisher": { "name": null, "domain": "wsbtv.com", "classification": "not-classified" }, "sourceType": "web-page", "language": "und", "role": "claim-evidence", "claimRefs": [ "clm-c42db7f9e86d7c05" ], "temporal": { "publishedAt": "2026-09-30", "updatedAt": null, "sourceCheckedAt": null, "recordLastVerifiedAt": "2026-10-11", "dossierCreatedAt": "2026-10-11", "retrievedAt": null, "status": "publication-and-record-dates-recorded" }, "locator": { "type": "descriptive-source-note", "value": "Reports the department's collections push after the 2026 audit and closes: long-term plans call for transitioning the city water network to automated smart meters that record real-time usage and detect leaks immediately.", "exact": false }, "preservation": { "archiveUrl": null, "archivedAt": null, "contentHash": null, "status": "not-captured" } }, { "id": "src-f4fa5f23b4350f17", "title": "GPB News — Atlanta mayor announces 20-year plan to repair and replace city's water infrastructure", "url": "https://www.gpb.org/news/2025/03/20/atlanta-mayor-announces-20-year-plan-repair-and-replace-citys-water-infrastructure", "publisher": { "name": null, "domain": "gpb.org", "classification": "not-classified" }, "sourceType": "web-page", "language": "und", "role": "claim-evidence", "claimRefs": [ "clm-d2e2bb2e5fdb54f3" ], "temporal": { "publishedAt": "2025-03-20", "updatedAt": null, "sourceCheckedAt": null, "recordLastVerifiedAt": "2026-10-11", "dossierCreatedAt": "2026-10-11", "retrievedAt": null, "status": "publication-and-record-dates-recorded" }, "locator": { "type": "descriptive-source-note", "value": "Mayor Dickens commits an estimated $2 billion over 20 years to replace pipes and other water assets, the Atlanta Drinking Water Renewal and Replacement Program; the article does not mention meters.", "exact": false }, "preservation": { "archiveUrl": null, "archivedAt": null, "contentHash": null, "status": "not-captured" } } ], "coverage": { "claimsTotal": 14, "claimsMapped": 14, "sourcesTotal": 7, "sourcesUsedByClaims": 7, "sourcesWithPublicationDate": 6, "sourcesWithArchive": 0, "sourcesWithExactLocator": 0, "sourcesWithContentHash": 0 }, "limits": [ "Publisher names and source languages have not yet been classified; domains are recorded without guessing.", "Existing source notes are descriptive locators, not page- or paragraph-exact citations.", "A missing archive, publication date or content hash is shown as null rather than inferred.", "The project-level evidence grade ranks the strongest source in the entry; it is not a truth score for every claim." ] } }, { "id": "2026-10-13-editorial-decisions", "createdAt": "2026-10-13T16:19:44Z", "effectiveAt": "2026-10-11", "changeType": "reclassification", "summary": "Status changed from construction to planning: no source read shows the smart-meter replacement has begun; in September 2026 it was still described as a long-term plan.", "preparedBy": { "type": "automation", "label": "AI-assisted evidence preparation", "humanApproved": false }, "review": { "status": "unreviewed", "by": null, "date": null, "note": "Awaiting operator and domain-expert review; publication of this revision implies neither." }, "changes": [ { "operation": "replace", "path": "/snapshot/projectFingerprint", "summary": "Updated projectFingerprint to the current sourced project record." }, { "operation": "replace", "path": "/snapshot/projectState", "summary": "Updated projectState to the current sourced project record." } ], "snapshotHash": "sha256:ef0b4a71bc90b92d7547ce3aa1d9b3eb2b3b7e5f31c3ba33d0c8cf2a1a03811b", "snapshot": { "asOf": "2026-10-11", "projectFingerprint": "sha256:0511c806fac520cbd583df6e2c05a3b49759d7744ccbedc1cd70e214a043a347", "assurance": { "status": "unreviewed", "scope": "evidence-passport-revision", "statement": "AI-assisted structural preparation. This revision has not been reviewed by a human or subject-matter expert.", "machineChecks": [ "schema", "publication-diff-contract", "material-project-fingerprint", "claim-text-drift", "source-reference-resolution", "complete-source-dossier", "snapshot-hash" ] }, "projectState": { "status": "planning", "outcome": "ongoing", "evidenceGrade": "independent", "timeline": { "started": 2025, "ended": null } }, "governance": { "operator": "City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management", "actorTypes": [ "utility" ], "fundingModel": "utility", "fundingDescription": "Not published for the meter rollout; the department is funded from the city's Water & Wastewater Revenue enterprise fund", "cost": null, "ownership": null, "decisionRights": null, "exitConditions": null }, "claims": [ { "id": "clm-36020331ece08e1c", "field": "snippet", "text": "announced in 2025 a six-year, citywide replacement of its aging meter fleet", "statementKind": "quantitative", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-99b07c26edf4e00e" ], "supportNote": "In July 2025 the commissioner said the department is beginning a six-year rollout of upgraded smart meters, replacing a 15-year-old metering system.", "caveat": "No source after July 2025 reports meters actually being installed; in September 2026 the switch was still described as a long-term plan.", "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-b02bbf1d97c74e8b", "field": "snippet", "text": "meant to give roughly 174,000 accounts a smart meter that reports usage in near real time", "statementKind": "quantitative", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-99b07c26edf4e00e" ], "supportNote": "The commissioner said about 174,000 accounts are on the system and that the new meters give customers real-time access to their usage.", "caveat": "The article does not say every account will receive a new meter; the city auditor counted over 177,000 active accounts in April 2026.", "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-af97bb2099468a40", "field": "snippet", "text": "instead of relying on manual or estimated readings", "statementKind": "descriptive", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-99b07c26edf4e00e", "src-42c1700b964b238e" ], "supportNote": "The commissioner says broken meters lead to estimated reads; the auditor describes readings taken electronically or manually when automated meters fail, and estimated when neither works.", "caveat": null, "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-5f268ebc0ff148b8", "field": "snippet", "text": "The rollout follows years of billing disputes and lawsuits over inflated 'estimated' bills from broken meters", "statementKind": "descriptive", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-99b07c26edf4e00e", "src-c82e1edab35caea0" ], "supportNote": "FOX 5 reports customers denied adjustments who sued and won; the 2013 audit describes estimated bills as a long-standing cause of disputes and a dispute process streamlined after customer lawsuits.", "caveat": null, "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-d2e2bb2e5fdb54f3", "field": "snippet", "text": "runs alongside Mayor Andre Dickens' $2 billion, 20-year water-infrastructure plan announced in 2025", "statementKind": "quantitative", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-f4fa5f23b4350f17", "src-99b07c26edf4e00e" ], "supportNote": "GPB reports the March 2025 announcement of an estimated $2 billion over 20 years to replace pipes and other water assets; FOX 5 mentions it next to the meter rollout.", "caveat": "No source says the meter rollout is funded from or part of the $2 billion programme.", "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-efff4c3d8a222664", "field": "snippet", "text": "no independent measurement of leak-detection or billing-accuracy gains has yet been published", "statementKind": "descriptive", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-42c1700b964b238e" ], "supportNote": "The City Auditor's August 2026 follow-up says the department has not reported progress toward implementing the 2023 recommendations, including the one on meter infrastructure; no evaluation of new meters exists.", "caveat": null, "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-4cb9221f8402e208", "field": "lesson", "text": "A billing crisis born from broken meters is to be fixed with meters again", "statementKind": "descriptive", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-99b07c26edf4e00e", "src-c82e1edab35caea0" ], "supportNote": "The 2013 audit documents the earlier automated-meter rollout from 2006; FOX 5 reports the new rollout as the answer to estimated bills from broken meters.", "caveat": null, "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-701320c6fc21003b", "field": "lesson", "text": "the city has not yet published evidence it also reduces real water loss", "statementKind": "descriptive", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-42c1700b964b238e" ], "supportNote": "No city report evaluates the new meters; the 2026 follow-up records no reported progress on the meter recommendation.", "caveat": null, "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-5324435e13b0c379", "field": "lesson", "text": "the radio-read meters it began installing in 2006 cut estimated bills from 10% of billings in 2008 and 2009 to 1% in 2012, according to the City Auditor", "statementKind": "quantitative", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-c82e1edab35caea0" ], "supportNote": "The 2013 audit: automated reads were 96% of bills in the first half of 2012, estimated and forced reads 1%, down from 10% in 2008 and 2009.", "caveat": "The 2013 audit adds that disputes and meter-check requests stayed fairly stable despite the drop.", "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-3b1d939ba6a16ddc", "field": "lesson", "text": "by May 2023 8.81% of accounts were billed on estimates, against an industry median of 0.1%", "statementKind": "quantitative", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-611fb29d6bdeb05f" ], "supportNote": "The 2023 audit: in May 2023 the department billed 170,798 accounts, 15,047 (8.81%) on estimates; the AWWA benchmarking survey median for 2020 was 0.1%.", "caveat": null, "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-8a84392b7951e6ea", "field": "lesson", "text": "which the auditor tied to too few field staff and a backlog of meter repair work orders", "statementKind": "descriptive", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-611fb29d6bdeb05f" ], "supportNote": "The auditor writes that the increase in estimated reads may be due to insufficient field staff and a backlog of unresolved meter investigation and repair work orders.", "caveat": "The auditor says 'may be due to'; management replied that new technology, not more staff, is the answer.", "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-50337688a69da721", "field": "lesson", "text": "in May 2023 the then commissioner said all meters would be replaced in a minimum of three years", "statementKind": "quantitative", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-6b4a3bf61390ac6e" ], "supportNote": "FOX 5 reports Commissioner Mikita Browning announcing smart meters to replace existing technology, with replacing all meters estimated to take a minimum of three years.", "caveat": null, "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-c42db7f9e86d7c05", "field": "lesson", "text": "in September 2026 the switch to smart meters was still described as a long-term plan", "statementKind": "quantitative", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-18ecf64a8aa609de" ], "supportNote": "WSB-TV's report of 30 September 2026 closes: long-term plans call for transitioning the city water network to automated smart meters.", "caveat": null, "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } }, { "id": "clm-dd4fc7e717b61103", "field": "lesson", "text": "New meters fix estimated bills only for as long as someone repairs them.", "statementKind": "descriptive", "textMode": "verbatim-from-project-record", "mappingStatus": "mapped", "sourceRefs": [ "src-c82e1edab35caea0", "src-611fb29d6bdeb05f" ], "supportNote": "The 2013 audit shows estimates falling to 1% after automation; the 2023 audit shows them back at 8.75% with repair backlogs.", "caveat": "Editorial conclusion drawn from the two audits.", "interpretation": { "added": false, "interpolation": false, "note": "The passport copies the published claim and its recorded source mapping without adding a conclusion." } } ], "sources": [ { "id": "src-99b07c26edf4e00e", "title": "FOX 5 Atlanta, \"Atlanta's new watershed commissioner vows to tackle sky-high water bills with modern solutions\"", "url": "https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/atlantas-new-watershed-commissioner-vows-tackle-sky-high-water-bills-modern-solutions", "publisher": { "name": null, "domain": "fox5atlanta.com", "classification": "not-classified" }, "sourceType": "web-page", "language": "und", "role": "claim-evidence", "claimRefs": [ "clm-36020331ece08e1c", "clm-b02bbf1d97c74e8b", "clm-af97bb2099468a40", "clm-5f268ebc0ff148b8", "clm-d2e2bb2e5fdb54f3", "clm-4cb9221f8402e208" ], "temporal": { "publishedAt": "2025-07-08", "updatedAt": null, "sourceCheckedAt": null, "recordLastVerifiedAt": "2026-10-11", "dossierCreatedAt": "2026-10-13", "retrievedAt": null, "status": "publication-and-record-dates-recorded" }, "locator": { "type": "descriptive-source-note", "value": "Interview with Commissioner Greg Eyerly: estimated reads result from broken meters; about 174,000 accounts are on the system; the department is beginning a six-year rollout of upgraded smart meters giving customers real-time access to their usage, replacing a 15-year-old metering system; two customers who were denied adjustments by the appeals board sued the city and won; mentions the mayor's $2 billion, 20-year water investment announced earlier in the year.", "exact": false }, "preservation": { "archiveUrl": null, "archivedAt": null, "contentHash": null, "status": "not-captured" } }, { "id": "src-6b4a3bf61390ac6e", "title": "FOX 5 Atlanta — Atlanta Water makes wholesale replacement of water meters (May 2023)", "url": "https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/atlanta-water-wholesale-replacement-meters", "publisher": { "name": null, "domain": "fox5atlanta.com", "classification": "not-classified" }, "sourceType": "web-page", "language": "und", "role": "claim-evidence", "claimRefs": [ "clm-50337688a69da721" ], "temporal": { "publishedAt": "2023-05-30", "updatedAt": null, "sourceCheckedAt": null, "recordLastVerifiedAt": "2026-10-11", "dossierCreatedAt": "2026-10-13", "retrievedAt": null, "status": "publication-and-record-dates-recorded" }, "locator": { "type": "descriptive-source-note", "value": "Then-commissioner Mikita Browning announces that new 'smart' meters will replace existing technology so that usage and leaks can be read remotely; a council member recalls meters installed the wrong way in the previous wholesale replacement; replacing all meters estimated to take a minimum of three years.", "exact": false }, "preservation": { "archiveUrl": null, "archivedAt": null, "contentHash": null, "status": "not-captured" } }, { "id": "src-611fb29d6bdeb05f", "title": "Atlanta City Auditor — Performance Audit: Water Billing and Collections (December 2023)", "url": "https://www.atlaudit.org/water-billing--collections---december-2023.html", "publisher": { "name": null, "domain": "atlaudit.org", "classification": "not-classified" }, "sourceType": "web-page", "language": "und", "role": "claim-evidence", "claimRefs": [ "clm-3b1d939ba6a16ddc", "clm-8a84392b7951e6ea", "clm-dd4fc7e717b61103" ], "temporal": { "publishedAt": "2023-12-07", "updatedAt": null, "sourceCheckedAt": null, "recordLastVerifiedAt": "2026-10-11", "dossierCreatedAt": "2026-10-13", "retrievedAt": null, "status": "publication-and-record-dates-recorded" }, "locator": { "type": "descriptive-source-note", "value": "City Auditor's performance audit: the monthly bill estimation rate rose from a median of about 3.6% in 2020 to 8.75% as of May 2023 (15,047 of 170,798 accounts, 8.81%, estimated in May 2023) against an AWWA benchmark median of 0.1%; likely causes are insufficient field staff and a backlog of meter investigation and repair work orders; management replies that it is piloting replacement of faulty meters with new technology, expanding citywide over time, with an estimated implementation date of December 2029.", "exact": false }, "preservation": { "archiveUrl": null, "archivedAt": null, "contentHash": null, "status": "not-captured" } }, { "id": "src-42c1700b964b238e", "title": "Atlanta City Auditor — Water Billing and Collections Follow-Up (August 2026)", "url": "https://www.atlaudit.org/department-of-watershed-management-water-billing-and-collections-follow-up---august-2026.html", "publisher": { "name": null, "domain": "atlaudit.org", "classification": "not-classified" }, "sourceType": "web-page", "language": "und", "role": "claim-evidence", "claimRefs": [ "clm-af97bb2099468a40", "clm-efff4c3d8a222664", "clm-701320c6fc21003b" ], "temporal": { "publishedAt": "2026-08-06", "updatedAt": null, "sourceCheckedAt": null, "recordLastVerifiedAt": "2026-10-11", "dossierCreatedAt": "2026-10-13", "retrievedAt": null, "status": "publication-and-record-dates-recorded" }, "locator": { "type": "descriptive-source-note", "value": "Follow-up audit on collections: delinquent balance grew from $198 million to $236 million on 60,168 accounts by April 2026; the department billed over 177,000 active accounts in April 2026; readings come from automated meters or manually when they fail; the department says it is addressing the 2023 recommendations but has not reported progress toward implementing them.", "exact": false }, "preservation": { "archiveUrl": null, "archivedAt": null, "contentHash": null, "status": "not-captured" } }, { "id": "src-c82e1edab35caea0", "title": "Atlanta City Auditor — Water Meter Reading, Estimates and Adjusted Billings (May 2013)", "url": "https://www.atlaudit.org/water-meter-readings-estimates-and-adjusted-billings-may-2013.html", "publisher": { "name": null, "domain": "atlaudit.org", "classification": "not-classified" }, "sourceType": "web-page", "language": "und", "role": "claim-evidence", "claimRefs": [ "clm-5f268ebc0ff148b8", "clm-4cb9221f8402e208", "clm-5324435e13b0c379", "clm-dd4fc7e717b61103" ], "temporal": { "publishedAt": null, "updatedAt": null, "sourceCheckedAt": null, "recordLastVerifiedAt": "2026-10-11", "dossierCreatedAt": "2026-10-13", "retrievedAt": null, "status": "record-date-only" }, "locator": { "type": "descriptive-source-note", "value": "Earlier audit: automated meter reading, installed from 2006, accounted for 96% of bills in the first half of 2012; estimated and forced reads were 1%, down from 10% in 2008 and 2009; disputes and meter-check requests stayed fairly stable; the department's own evaluation found only one-third of small meters met all standards.", "exact": false }, "preservation": { "archiveUrl": null, "archivedAt": null, "contentHash": null, "status": "not-captured" } }, { "id": "src-18ecf64a8aa609de", "title": "WSB-TV — City addresses thousands of late water accounts (30 Sep 2026)", "url": "https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/city-addresses-thousands-late-water-accounts/27B5FTFSV5FC7JRSUVT4SD45HY/", "publisher": { "name": null, "domain": "wsbtv.com", "classification": "not-classified" }, "sourceType": "web-page", "language": "und", "role": "claim-evidence", "claimRefs": [ "clm-c42db7f9e86d7c05" ], "temporal": { "publishedAt": "2026-09-30", "updatedAt": null, "sourceCheckedAt": null, "recordLastVerifiedAt": "2026-10-11", "dossierCreatedAt": "2026-10-13", "retrievedAt": null, "status": "publication-and-record-dates-recorded" }, "locator": { "type": "descriptive-source-note", "value": "Reports the department's collections push after the 2026 audit and closes: long-term plans call for transitioning the city water network to automated smart meters that record real-time usage and detect leaks immediately.", "exact": false }, "preservation": { "archiveUrl": null, "archivedAt": null, "contentHash": null, "status": "not-captured" } }, { "id": "src-f4fa5f23b4350f17", "title": "GPB News — Atlanta mayor announces 20-year plan to repair and replace city's water infrastructure", "url": "https://www.gpb.org/news/2025/03/20/atlanta-mayor-announces-20-year-plan-repair-and-replace-citys-water-infrastructure", "publisher": { "name": null, "domain": "gpb.org", "classification": "not-classified" }, "sourceType": "web-page", "language": "und", "role": "claim-evidence", "claimRefs": [ "clm-d2e2bb2e5fdb54f3" ], "temporal": { "publishedAt": "2025-03-20", "updatedAt": null, "sourceCheckedAt": null, "recordLastVerifiedAt": "2026-10-11", "dossierCreatedAt": "2026-10-13", "retrievedAt": null, "status": "publication-and-record-dates-recorded" }, "locator": { "type": "descriptive-source-note", "value": "Mayor Dickens commits an estimated $2 billion over 20 years to replace pipes and other water assets, the Atlanta Drinking Water Renewal and Replacement Program; the article does not mention meters.", "exact": false }, "preservation": { "archiveUrl": null, "archivedAt": null, "contentHash": null, "status": "not-captured" } } ], "coverage": { "claimsTotal": 14, "claimsMapped": 14, "sourcesTotal": 7, "sourcesUsedByClaims": 7, "sourcesWithPublicationDate": 6, "sourcesWithArchive": 0, "sourcesWithExactLocator": 0, "sourcesWithContentHash": 0 }, "limits": [ "Publisher names and source languages have not yet been classified; domains are recorded without guessing.", "Existing source notes are descriptive locators, not page- or paragraph-exact citations.", "A missing archive, publication date or content hash is shown as null rather than inferred.", "The project-level evidence grade ranks the strongest source in the entry; it is not a truth score for every claim." ] } } ] }