Asheville, North Carolina Selects Mueller Systems to Provide Turnkey “Smart Water” Metering Program

CLEVELAND, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The City of Asheville, North Carolina has selected Mueller Systems to help it improve the efficiency and service of its water operations through the implementation of a comprehensive, smart metering water program.

“With our increasing awareness of the need to better manage our priceless water resources, it is even more important that we, as a conscientious municipality, accurately account for every drop of water that is treated and distributed through our system”

Mueller Systems will provide Asheville with a turnkey solution, including installation services, project management, Automated Meter Reading (AMR) modules and water meters for 52,000 connections. Mueller Systems is part of Mueller Water Products, Inc. (NYSE: MWA), a leading provider of products and services used in water distribution networks and water treatment facilities.

“With our increasing awareness of the need to better manage our priceless water resources, it is even more important that we, as a conscientious municipality, accurately account for every drop of water that is treated and distributed through our system,” said Brandon Buckner, superintendent of Meter Services for Asheville. “We believe that Mueller Systems brings the right solutions to the table to help us meet this rapidly growing need -- delivering innovative strategies, an ability to learn rapidly and adapt quickly to changing situations, and forward-looking vision along with a state of the art product in the Hot Rod AMR.”

Mueller Systems’ AMR system enables utilities to improve customer service while simultaneously increasing operational efficiencies. Mueller Hot Rod™ transmitters enhance utilities’ ability to capture drive-by meter readings, and the open architecture of the AMR system component allows the solution to work with other brands of encoded meters that utilities may already have installed.

The Hot Rod AMR system also includes a comprehensive data logging feature that allows for six months’ worth of hourly usage data stored at the meter, with graphically displayed alarms to enable utilities to quickly respond to customer questions and proactively approach customers about possible leaks or tampering. The Hot Rod AMR system also provides a seamless migration path from AMR to the Mi.Net™ Mueller Infrastructure Network for Utilities Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system as needs and service areas grow. The Mi.Net System is a communications network that fully automates the meter-reading-to-billing process, linking meters, distribution sites and control devices in a single, highly efficient data network.

“Our Hot Rod AMR system provides a high-performance solution to meet the challenge of communicating across rugged mountain terrain,” said Jim Hendricks, area manager for Mueller Systems. The topography of Asheville makes transmission speed a particular need. “Asheville needed an AMR system that was fast, and our two-second transmission –- the fastest in the industry -- exceeded this requirement.”

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements that address activities, events or developments that we intend, expect, plan, project, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements we make regarding our ability to increase capacity utilization. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and assessments made by us in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments. Actual results and the timing of events may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including regional, national or global political, economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory conditions and the following:

the demand level of manufacturing and construction activity;
our ability to service our debt obligations; and
the other factors that are described in the section entitled “RISK FACTORS” in Item 1A of our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Undue reliance should not be placed on any forward-looking statements. We do not have any intention or obligation to update forward-looking statements after we file this press release, except as required by law.

About Mueller Systems

Mueller Systems provides Smart Metering solutions to optimize the delivery and use of energy and water. Municipalities that supply electricity, water or gas — or any combination of the three services — need innovative ways to increase efficiencies, reduce costs, conserve energy and water, and improve customer service.

The Mi.Net™ Mueller Infrastructure Network for Utilities from Mueller Systems meets that need. For more information: http://www.muellersystems.com/aboutUs.html

About the City of Asheville

The City of Asheville is the largest city in Western North Carolina and the county seat of Buncombe County. The city is located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is known for its natural beauty. Asheville serves as the regional hub for business, health and human services, the arts, shopping, dining and other community amenities for citizens and visitors. http://www.ashevillenc.gov/index.aspx

About Mueller Water Products, Inc.

Mueller Water Products, Inc. is a leading North American manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of water infrastructure, flow control and piping component system products for use in water distribution networks and water treatment facilities. The Company's broad product portfolio includes engineered valves, fire hydrants, pipe fittings, water meters and ductile iron pipe, which are used by municipalities, as well as the residential and non-residential construction industries for heating, ventilation and air conditioning, fire protection, industrial, energy and oil & gas industries. With latest 12 months net sales through March 31, 2010 of $1.4 billion, the Company is comprised of three operating segments: Mueller Co., U.S. Pipe and Anvil. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, the Company employs approximately 5,100 people. The Company's common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol MWA. For more information about Mueller Water Products, Inc., please visit the Company's Web site at http://www.muellerwaterproducts.com/.