January 8, 2020
Smart Water 101: What You Need to Know
The Insider Blog / 6 min read
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Our extensive global network of distributors is ready to serve you in your local language at your time zone.
For Europe and Africa
For Asia Pacific
For the United Arab Emirates
January 8, 2020
The Insider Blog / 6 min read
Smart water is an industry term which refers to a network of smart water meters and intelligent infrastructure deployed as part of an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system. It provides continuous and historical data, while improving system intelligence, visibility, automation and control to help water utilities optimize all areas of their water network.
A common misconception is that smart water metering systems are only suitable for cities of a certain size or utilities that currently utilize a cellular-based infrastructure. This isn’t true. Smart water solutions are available for utilities of all types, regardless of population, location or existing infrastructure.
Smart water metering systems are comprised of meters, endpoints, a data collection system and system management. Water meters measure water flow 24/7. The accompanying endpoints collect the flow data that is securely transmitted to the data collection system at routine intervals. For example, our ORION® Cellular endpoint automatically broadcasts 15-minute interval data on a continuous schedule, up to four times per workday.
Within the smart data collection system, utilities can monitor their network and diagnose areas of pressure loss and leaks to quickly address issues and bill customers more accurately. This is especially beneficial for utilities that were previously limited to monthly or quarterly meter reads when issues could not always be identified or addressed as urgently as they should be to prevent greater damage or expense. Additionally, many utilities with limited read schedules rely on water estimations to bill customers. Now with accurate data coming in every day, utilities can make sure bills are based on actual usage.
With system management, such as BEACON® Software as a Service (SaaS) and our EyeOnWater® consumer engagement tool, utilities and utility customers have access to water usage. Individuals can view and manage usage through easy-to-understand graphs and alerts, which:
Utilities across the country are transitioning to smart water solutions to improve and preserve operational efficiency and effectiveness. Smart water metering systems help decrease non-revenue water by capturing and sharing water consumption data more frequently, monitoring rate of flow, identifying reverse flows and sending alerts at the first sign of a problem.
Additionally, smart water meters capture additional flow through their extended low flow accuracy. Available in both mechanical and electronic versions, smart meter solutions help build the foundation for any smart water system. Here are a few key reasons utilities are making the switch:
As a leader in smart water metering solutions, our team at Badger Meter continually invents and innovates to provide utilities with smart water solutions that make a difference. Here are the four key facets behind our smart water solutions:
Thinking of transitioning to a smart water metering system? Tell us what your utility is hoping to achieve, and we’ll help you build a smart water solution that’s perfectly fit to your city, no matter its size or location. Badger Meter offers the widest range of metering solutions because we believe in providing smart water solutions for any and every municipality. Learn more about our smart water offerings and then reach out to one of our experts to start discussing how to make it a reality. Becoming smarter starts with a simple, stress-free conversation.
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Our extensive global network of distributors is ready to serve you in your local language at your time zone.
For Europe and Africa
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