Smart Water Metering: Impact, Benefits, Installation

Water scarcity remains a significant challenge in the 21st century. Data reveals that one in ten people worldwide lack access to clean water supplies, presenting a gloomy reality. While some regions battle with water shortages, others contend with massive water leakages. These issues burden society, governments, and future generations alike. While there is no single solution to address all aspects of water conservation, the advent of smart water metering solutions marks a pivotal turning point. 

What is smart water metering?  

Smart water meters are electronic devices that use technologies such as ultrasonic or electromagnetic measurement to monitor and record consumption. Unlike traditional mechanical meters, they can automatically store and transmit high-resolution usage data in real time.

Compared with conventional meters, smart meters represent a major technological step forward. They allow automatic, remote, high-frequency data collection, can be integrated with AMR and AMI systems, and offer capabilities such as leak detection and detailed consumption analytics. Their versatility makes them suitable for multifamily housing, commercial buildings, industrial facilities, and suburban or rural settings.

How Does Smart Water Metering Work?

In principle, smart metering is very simple. It involves four core steps: measurement, data logging, communication of logged data, and utility integration. The smart water meter space is diverse in its technology, but all meters use this same general process for their function. Let’s consider how an ultrasonic smart water meter functions:

1. Ultrasonic Measurement: In ultrasonic smart water meters, flow and volume is usually measured using the transit-time principle. This works by passing an ultrasound through a pipe in both directions and measuring the time it takes to travel.
2. Data Logging: Data is logged by the on-meter electronic device. This device also detects various events such as low flow, leaks, reverse flows etc.
3. Communication: Once logged, data must be communicated for it to be useful. Smart water meters can be retrofitted with communications technology, but native smart meters have it integrated. There are multiple communications technologies in use like LoRaWAN, NB-IoT, WM-Bus.
4. Utility Integration: Data flows into a Head End System or Meter Data Management System, which can be used to provide advanced functionality like leak detection, more complex analysis, or processing of large amounts of data for transmission.

One of the most important components of a smart water meter is the communications technology it uses for data transmission. Two of the most popular protocols are LoRaWAN and NB-IoT. These protocols offer many advantages for smart metering with comparatively few disadvantages.

LoRaWAN

LoRaWAN is used for it’s low-power, long-range communication. LoRaWAN supports a 10-20 year battery life in battery-powered devices and has a very long range — up to 15km in rural settings. It’s low cost as it has no recurring subscriptions or fees for its use, and is suited for low-throughput devices. Its low-power nature makes it the perfect solution for energy conservation purposes, and in a metering context, means there are efficiency savings due to fewer battery replacements. However, LoRaWAN has small bandwidth/payload limits and can suffer from coverage gaps in areas like basements, which may require additional devices like gateways or external antennas.

NB-IoT

NB-IoT has massive coverage via cellular operators, giving it good penetration in locations like basements or underground utility spaces. It has a large data capacity and since it uses a licensed spectrum, has less interference than LoRaWAN. However, NB-IoT has much higher power consumption than LoRaWAN, with battery life of around 8-12 years in a smart metering context. There are also recurring SIM costs and data plans, and the modules themselves are often more expensive than LoRaWAN transceivers.

What Components Does a Smart Water Metering System Have? 

A smart water solution consists of a smart ultrasonic water meter, an advanced data management platform, networks (for example, LoraWAN, NB-IoT, LTE, Mioty) network monitoring, and installation services. 

• Ultrasonic water meters provide highly accurate measurements of consumed water, they automatically collect data and remotely send it to the network server. 
• A wireless network transfers communication from the smart meter to the utility’s server, where it stores and analyzes data. Low power wide area networks (LPWAN), such as LoRaWAN, NB-IoT, and others, can transmit packets of data over long distances while utilizing low power consumption. 
• Network monitoring helps ensure stable smart metering data transmission. It involves monitoring data telegrams, network redundancy, and stability. 
• The data management platform receives data from the communication network and smart meters, efficiently storing, analyzing, monitoring, and processing the data for various applications. 

Smart Water Meter Benefits: Why Do Utilities & Property Owners Choose Smart Water Metering?

Smart water metering is more than just a shiny new toy. It’s sophisticated and innovative technology that delivers real, tangible benefits to utilities and property owners. That’s what’s driving the increasing adoption of smart water meters across the world. 

Utilities and property owners alike benefit from:

• Leak Detection: Users can enjoy advanced early leak detection, allowing prompt rectification that can save money in the short and long term
• Billing Transparency: Users can see how their consumption directly impacts billing, allowing for more transparent billing processes
• Reduced Water Waste: Accurate tracking allows for utilities and end users to to better understand the system, allowing for changes in consumption habits or for more targeted maintenance to reduce waste
• Better Data for Conservation: Utilities can understand how and where water is being used along with where it’s going if it isn’t reaching end-users, and use that data to implement conservation programs
• Automated Billing: Smart water meters can be used to automate billing processes, increasing efficiency and reducing costs and the need for human interventions
• Reduced Labor for Utilities: Manual meter readings and physically checking devices is labor-intensive and increases costs, but smart metering nearly eliminates the need for this
• Unprecedented Access to Data: The level of data provided by smart meters is unprecedented and allows for all sorts of advanced processing and functions that just aren’t possible using traditional setupts

How Does Smart Water Metering Ensure Water Conservation? 

In the face of increasing water scarcity and population growth, water conservation is critical for sustainable water management. Advanced water metering technology has a crucial role in promoting water conservation by providing real-time data on water consumption to utility companies and residents. 

Today consumers can use water conservation mobile apps to monitor their water consumption and quickly identify any abnormal water usage. This directly empowers end-users to become part of conservation efforts.  

Smart metering systems can detect leakages, enabling prompt repairs and preventing water waste. Through continuous monitoring and data analysis, smart metering encourages responsible water usage practices and helps communities optimize their water resources for long-term sustainability. 

How Does Smart Water Meter Detect Leakages? 

Smart water metering systems continuously monitor water flow and pressure, analyzing data in real-time to identify irregularities that may indicate a leak. When a leak occurs, ultrasonic meters can detect sudden drops in water pressure or abnormal usage patterns, triggering alert notifications to the data management platform and residents’ mobile app. 

Quick leak identification enables swift intervention to repair the issue, minimizing water loss, preventing property damage, and reducing costs for residents and utilities. Over time, these savings can add up to significant reductions in maintenance and operating costs — as well as reduced disruptions to service.

Smart Water Metering’s Impact on Residents’ Billing 

Water metering brings transparency to the billing process as the technology provides accurate data on each household’s water consumption. 

Utilities that use RUBs billing method usually bill property owners for the total consumption, and it’s up to the property owner to determine how to allocate these costs to the residents. Traditional metering billing methods may include flat-rate billing or ratio utility billing (RUB). In many cases, residents feel this kind of billing is unfair, and it can lead to disputes.

However, smart metering ensures precise monitoring of consumption in real-time at the unit level. Since residents can track their water usage via a mobile app to identify potential savings and adjust water usage behavior according to the real data, it empowers residents to act in their own best interests. Data accuracy eliminates the risk of overbilling or underbilling and even provides insights into potential savings. 

It’s worth mentioning that quick detection of leaks or other abnormal activities by ultrasonic meters allows for prompt problem resolution, preventing unexpected spikes in bills and reducing financial burdens on property owners and residents. 

Overall, water metering not only improves billing accuracy but also promotes greater operational efficiency, transparency, and cost-effectiveness in the management of water resources for residents. 

Is Implementing a Smart Water Metering System Challenging? 

Implementing a smart metering system can seem challenging at first sight, but the benefits far outweigh the obstacles. One of the primary challenges is the investment required for the installation of smart metering infrastructure, including the purchase of ultrasonic meters, gateways for the communication network, and data management software. Additionally, there may be hesitations about existing water metering infrastructure, the installation process, technical support, transitioning from one billing method to another, and resident education. All of these hesitations can be easily taken care of with the right water metering partner.

However, despite these challenges, the long-term advantages of smart water metering, such as financial stability, increased property value, sustainable water usage, transparent billing, residents’ satisfaction, improved business operations, advanced analytics for better decision-making, and so much more, justify the efforts and investments involved.

How Much Does a Smart Water Metering Solution Cost? 

The cost of implementing a smart metering solution can vary depending on several factors. For example, how many water meters are needed for your infrastructure, what network communication is chosen for the project, and what equipment is needed for network deployment and data management subscription fees. Additionally, there may be costs associated with installation, training, and ongoing maintenance and support. 

Costs vary by state, size and complexity of the installation, and provider — as well as if there are any ongoing costs, such as subscription services. A typical installation of Mainlink and Axioma Metering’s solution in a 200-unit California apartment can cost $30,400, compared with $54,400 for a comparable traditional setup. 

While the upfront costs of smart water metering solutions may appear daunting at first glance, it’s important to emphasize the total cost of ownership (TCO), which far surpasses that of older technologies due to lower maintenance costs and longer lifespans. Thanks to innovative and sophisticated technologies, an ultrasonic smart meter is more durable, requires less maintenance, and needs to be replaced less often than comparable traditional meters.

These factors, along with money saved from accurate billing, reduced water losses due to advanced, early leak detection, and greater efficiency can result in substantial ROI despite initial heavy outlay costs.

What’s the Difference Between Smart Water Metering and Traditional Water Metering? 

Traditional water metering typically relies on mechanical meters to measure water usage, requiring manual readings by utility employees for billing purposes. However, these meters offer limited insights into consumption patterns and do not provide any information on damages or leaks, nor do they offer real-time data. 

In contrast, smart water metering utilizes advanced technology, such as ultrasonic meters, IoT (Internet of Things) sensors, and wireless communication systems, to provide continuous monitoring of water usage. Smart meters can detect leaks, track consumption in real-time, and transmit data remotely to utilities and consumers. This real-time data enables more accurate and transparent billing, proactive leak detection, and better management of water resources. 

Let’s consider this easy-to-read comparison of ultrasonic smart water meters and traditional mechanical meters:

	Smart Water Meter	Regular Water Meter
Operating Principle	Innovative ultrasonic technology to measure volume and flow	Operates with a traditional mechanical setup using gears, turbines, or dials (etc.)
Accuracy	Offers high accuracy over its lifetime	Initially very accurate, but accuracy can decline over time due to degrading parts or debris in the water
Maintenance	Requires less maintenance as it has no moving parts that can wear out, but it may require period calibration to maintain accuracy.	Required scheduled technician visits according to government regulations (usually 2-5 years)
Data Collection	Automatic, remote data collection providing almost real-time data for easy access and transmission	Manual meter readings usually performed by customers every month
Leak Detection	Rapid, early leak detection	No detection capabilities
Costs	Initially higher setup costs due to the advanced technologies involved — but delivers savings over time through improved accuracy, reduced water loss from leaks, and low maintenance	Lower initial costs, but may incur higher long-term costs due to maintenance requirements, manual readings, and potential inaccuracies leading to loss of revenue for utilities
Durability	More durable as they have no moving parts that are prone to wear and tear	Parts are susceptible to debris in the water. Additionally, the mechanical nature of the parts can lead to wear and tear over time, impacting performance and lifespan.
Mounting Orientation	Any angle	According to specific instructions
Lifespan	Typically 16 years	10 – 15 years, replacement often recommended every 5 – 10 years

Is Smart Metering Sustainable? 

Smart metering is undeniably sustainable, offering a range of benefits that contribute to the long-term preservation of water resources. By providing real-time monitoring of water usage, smart meters empower consumers to make informed decisions about their water consumption, leading to reduced water waste and increased efficiency. 

This proactive approach to water management not only conserves water but also helps to alleviate pressure on water supplies, particularly in regions facing water scarcity. Additionally, smart metering systems enable utilities to detect leaks promptly, minimizing water loss and preventing potential damage to infrastructure. Furthermore, the data collected from smart meters can inform strategic planning and resource allocation, facilitating more effective water distribution and conservation efforts.

Smart Water Metering Installation Process

Smart water meter installation can be by licensed and certified professionals who have the requisite skills and knowledge to install smart water meters quickly and effectively while dealing with any problems that may arise. 

In a residential context, smart water meters are usually installed by the utility company or submetering service providers using their preferred installation specialists. For commercial installations or for large property owners implementing a robust submetering system, it can be a little trickier. Generally, it’s always best to find a qualified professional who understands complex systems, understands the state, regional, and local laws necessary for compliance purposes, and who can safely deal with any unexpected problems arising during the installation.

Installation time is highly variable and depends on the specific context, i.e. whether the installation is a simple single-family residential home or a complex commercial building or multi-family setup like a mobile home park. In some cases, installation can take a few hours; in others, a few weeks. Likewise, the level of disruption caused is variable depending on these factors.

Here is the basic installation process:

1. Preparation: Prep work includes switching off the water, identifying the location for the new meter, getting any additional pipe or tools etc.
2. Removal of old meters: If present, the old meter needs to be removed from the system so the new one can be installed instead.
3. New meter installation: The new meter needs to be put in place.
4. Connect and secure: Ensure that the connections between the meter and the pipes are tight and secure.
5. Restore water supply: After installation is complete the water can be switched back on — this is also essential to test the meter.
6. Connect to network: Network connection is essential for proper function.
7. Verify: Once everything is set up, the system should be verified to work.

Although in overview it’s a simple process, the actual installation can be quite complex and is best left to professionals.

Conclusion 

Smart water metering technology is one of the solutions for water conservation worldwide. With IoT technology, property owners are empowered to make a change in water usage patterns, educate residents, and, most importantly, prevent water leaks and other infrastructure damages that lead to excessive costs and wasted resources. 

Smart metering offers numerous benefits for water management, environmental preservation, and economic sustainability. With the right partner offering an all-in-one solution from the ultrasonic water meter to the data management platform, you will enjoy peace of mind by managing your property. 

Continue your research on smart metering solutions by reading our articles about smart water meters and should you get a smart meter or reach out to us to discuss your business concerns.