Smart water meters: an innovator in modern water management
Time:2023-07-17
Views:653
70% of the world‘s land is covered by water, and about 1.1 billion people worldwide lack of clean drinking water. However, as the population increases, global water use is growing at more than twice the rate of population growth over the last century, and more and more areas are reaching the limits of sustainable water service provision, especially in arid regions. Water shortages will intensify as rapidly growing urban areas put enormous pressure on neighboring water resources.
As the world starts to talk about some cities providing their citizens with an affluent life, clean drinking water is one of the most important key infrastructures. Cities began to consider this critical need and coined the term "smart water", which refers to water and wastewater infrastructure. Smart water resources management ensures that this valuable resource is managed effectively and is designed in a way that enables the collection of meaningful and actionable data on urban water flows, pressures, and allocations.
Smart water meters, in addition to advanced sensors, software analysis and services are one of the key requirements for smart water management. Smart water meters are an Internet of Things (IoT) technology that helps water users track their exact water usage through the use of a payment system. Smart water meters create a two-way communication channel between users and providers, enabling both parties to share information, thus enabling both parties to take useful practical actions.
IoT water meters help reduce water losses throughout the distribution network and allow utilities to track and manage water demand. This demand management helps the utility to make the best use of the available water supply. Utilities can then predict when their water will run out and plan for the future accordingly. This further strengthens the discussion on water resources and helps to provide enough drinking water for everyone.
Cities have now started using smart water meters, which are equipped with advanced solutions to track each household‘s water use and avoid waste.
For example, Singapore recently started creating a network of smart water meters. The main purpose of using these IoT-powered devices is to allow cities to record water consumption data.
Advantages of smart water meter:
Real-time monitoring and data collection: Smart water meters monitor parameters such as water flow and pressure in real-time and transmit the data to the cloud. This enables the water company or manager to understand water usage and system operation status in real time to manage and adjust the water supply more effectively.
Reduce water leakage and waste: Smart water meters can detect and report water leaks in water pipes, thereby helping to repair leaks in time and reduce water waste and loss. In addition, by monitoring water usage, unreasonable water use behaviors can be identified and suggestions can be provided accordingly, thus reducing waste.
Accurate metering and bill management: Smart water meters have higher metering accuracy and can accurately record each user‘s water consumption. This not only helps ensure fair billing but also enables water companies to better manage bills and revenues.
Remote control and regulation: With smart water meters, water companies or managers can remotely control the water flow, such as adjusting the water supply during off-peak hours, to optimize system operation and save energy and costs.
User engagement and awareness: Smart water meters are often connected to a user interface, enabling users to monitor their water use in real-time and understand their water usage habits. This helps raise users‘ awareness of water resources and motivates them to adopt water-saving measures.
Predictive maintenance: By continuously monitoring the health of the water system, smart water meters can identify potential problems and perform predictive maintenance, thereby reducing the risk of system failures and downtime.
WhatsApp
Email