Use of Smart Meters to Help Water Conservation

As technology moves forward, new innovations are taking over the work once performed by

humans.

These days the word “smart” is associated with smart phones, smart homeowners with low

homeowners insurance rates and, now, smart meters.

Conservation-minded California utilities have taken the initiative by swapping out the old gas, electric, and water meters and replacing them with smart ones.

Smart meters collect data at regular intervals and transmit it, usually via a wireless network, to a central location – although, the methods may vary by city. The smart meter market is being

led by gas and electric utilities, but water agencies are close behind.

While traditional water meters generally require a staff of city workers to visit each individual meter and record usage, smart systems can reduce or eliminate the labor costs as well as provide the water agencies with the ability to monitor usage and detect leaks.

With the serious drought crisis in California forcing conservation of water through most of

the state, the devices will become more prevalent statewide in the years to come.

The technology isn’t cheap, costing about two to three times more than traditional meters, but the agencies believe the benefits they provide outweigh the price. And, most systems have a user interface that allows customers who are conservation-minded as well as

agencies themselves to log on to a website and view their usage information.

Traditional meters wear out and require replacement every 10 to 15 years. Whereas, battery life in smart

meters is a major concern for water agencies considering a conversion – with most manufacturers promising the batteries last an equivalent lifespan of 10 to 15 years. In either case, additional labor will be involved to maintain the meters for proper operation.

Smart meters have many benefits for customers and water agencies.The systems allows: • Customers to make informed conservation decisions

to reduce consumption. • Agencies to reduce labor costs• Agencies to improve enforcement efforts• Agencies to enable leak detection.

When shopping for homeowners insurance, you also want to make informed decisions and

reduce costs. Make sure you’re getting the lowest rate on your homeowners insurance. Why not get a free homeowners insurance

quote today?

Does your home currently have a smart water, electric or gas meter? Feel free to share your thoughts in the

comments section below.

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