An Article from sunsonic®
At the time of writing this article, the year is 2024 and the use of ultrasonic water meters continues to grow. Areas with new construction are a common setting to find ultrasonic water meters due to their impressive accuracy and advanced data collection capabilities. Consumers appear to prefer the more advanced metering solutions ultrasonic water meters are capable of, especially with more IoT (Internet of Things) technologies being commonly found in these products and throughout our general lives.
But what if a single entity upgraded its water network to operate on ultrasonic water meters? What if an entire apartment complex replaced its traditional water meters with ultrasonic ones? Let’s go further – what would it look like for an entire city to upgrade its water management to ultrasonic water meters?
The traditional water meter that has been used for decades is mechanical by design. They operate based on mechanical properties and require regular maintenance since they commonly encounter wear and tear. This is a common fault of the mechanical water meter because the moving parts within these never seem to last.
Ultrasonic water meters represent a newer technology that offers several benefits, such as higher accuracy and reduced maintenance demands. Their higher accuracy is made possible by using ultrasonic sensors to measure water flow, which is also possible at low flow velocities. Thanks to their low maintenance demands, ultrasonic water meters are more cost-effective in the long run and supply real-time data tracking and alerts.
The advanced and smart features of ultrasonic water meters, along with no moving parts, are very influential factors that are winning many over. What can this look like?
Scenario 1 - Apartment complex
The Water Oasis Apartment Complex experienced several issues with its mechanical water meters. Residents frequently complained about inaccurate water bills, and maintenance costs for the old meters were escalating. To address this, management decided to upgrade to ultrasonic water meters.
After continuously monitoring its pilot program, as well as establishing a maintenance schedule for the new meters, Water Oasis was able to improve the accuracy of their water network, lower their maintenance costs, review the flow data in real time, and lower their water waste. The level of their residents’ satisfaction increased due to the accurate billing and lowered disruption rates. too.
Scenario 2 - Mid-size business
A mid-size manufacturing plant decided the upgrade to ultrasonic water meters was necessary after having noticed an increase in discrepancies in water bills and frequent instances of unexplained high water usage. Their maintenance teams were regularly called to fix failing meters, which was interrupting their production. Despite regular inspections, small leaks were going undetected and causing substantial water waste and higher costs.
Faced with these challenges, the plant looked for a new water metering solution. They decided to explore the idea of ultrasonic water meters due to their higher accuracy, reduced maintenance requirements, real-time monitoring, and enhanced data integration capabilities.
After integrating their new ultrasonic water meters throughout their facility, along with training the responsible staff on how to use and maintain the new technology, the manufacturing plant was able to have a proper water management system. They saved the money that would have been spent to maintain the traditional water meters they initially had, and directly supported the business’s sustainability and operational goals.
What if an entire city decided ultrasonic water meters were their new standard in water management?
Scenario 3 - A city
The city of Riverhaze was facing increased challenges in managing its water resources. The existing city infrastructure relied on mechanical water meters, which were responsible for several issues including inaccurate water usage data, high and accumulating maintenance costs, and increased difficulty in meeting regulatory requirements. Faced with these challenges, the city council decided to upgrade to ultrasonic water meters as part of a comprehensive water management strategy.
After the city determined its budget and selected SunSonic™ as the manufacturer, it implemented a pilot testing program in select areas of the city to install the ultrasonic water meters and monitor their performance. After collecting feedback from residents and businesses on meter accuracy and reliability throughout the testing period, a full-scale implementation plan was set into motion.
A detailed implementation plan based on the pilot test results was designed to minimize disruption. Utility companies, contractors, and stakeholders were brought in to ensure the implementation plan was executed smoothly. A public awareness campaign was launched to inform residents and businesses about the benefits and process of the upgrade. Training was provided for city employees and utility workers on the installation and maintenance of ultrasonic water meters. These products were later installed throughout all neighborhoods and public facilities, prioritizing high-usage areas and locations with known issues. Finally, there was a full integration of ultrasonic water meters with the city’s water management and billing systems. Performance monitoring continued through the use of the real-time data analytic capabilities found in the ultrasonic water meters.
From addressing their pain points directly with ultrasonic water meters as the solution, the city of Riverhaze achieved better water management, saved on a lot of money they were throwing away in the past, met their regulatory compliance requirements, and received enhanced sustainability throughout their area.
By providing accurate, real-time data, as well as reducing maintenance costs, ultrasonic water meters can significantly enhance water management efficiency. The ripple effect of this upgrade extends beyond the improved billing accuracy and suspected leak detection; these devices enable smarter resource allocation, support sustainability initiatives, and foster a culture of conservation. Cities and businesses that embrace this technology can expect not only operational improvements but also broader societal benefits. While we continue to navigate the challenges of urbanization and climate change, ultrasonic water meters represent a powerful step towards a more sustainable and capable future.
