Reducing Water Consumption with the Internet of Things

A smart water meter is a new way to reduce water consumption at home. TEKTELIC develops IoT products and services that help you monitor and manage water and energy use more easily, efficiently, and cost-effectively.

Water is one of the most essential resources on Earth, and yet it is also one of the most undervalued. In many parts of the world, water is taken for granted, with little thought given to how it is sourced, treated, or distributed. As a result, water waste and pollution are serious global problems. One way to help address these issues is through the use of water management technology. This can encompass everything from water treatment and purification systems to smart irrigation systems and distribution infrastructure. By using IoT-based smart meters more efficiently, we can help reduce water waste and contribute to water conservation.

Water wastage is also a major problem in developing countries (many countries in Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Asia), which don’t have enough money to integrate two-way communication technologies in the private sector. That is why the demand for water in these countries only goes up with water levels going down. With climate change in mind and rising operating costs, it can lead to water distributors being unable to provide all citizens with an equal amount of water. So, smart water metering is a necessity for addressing these issues.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is playing an increasingly important role in water management. By implementing smart metering in IoT, you can collect data on water usage and identify areas where conservation is possible and will not affect the demand-supply balance. In addition, IoT technology can help with improving water management by optimizing water delivery systems to reduce wastage.

There are many different ways to reduce water consumption with the help of smart water metering using IoT. For example, you could:

• Install smart irrigation systems, which water plants only when they need it based on soil moisture sensors data.

• Use sensor-based faucets and toilets that automatically shut off when not in use, contributing to saving water.

• Connect appliances like washing machines and dishwashers to the Internet so they only run when there is enough water available.

These are just a few of the many ways how IoT sensors can be used to conserve water and solve some environmental issues. By making more efficient use of IoT smart water sensors, you can help preserve this vital resource for future generations.

How Can IoT Water Management Solutions Reduce Wasting Water?

The Internet of Things smart water solutions have many benefits for consumers and water utility businesses alike. In comparison with traditional meters, IoT offers more functions, addresses problems with conventional meters, and pursues sustainability. The IoT-enabled water system has been shown to improve individual water use and reduce waste. Consumers now have full control over their water consumption, can save money on utility services, and make informed decisions for their households.

The IoT-enabled water meter contains a valve that can be controlled remotely. This allows users to adjust the flow of water or cut it off if the water level goes too high affecting operational costs and water pressure. Similarly, it helps to reduce water overflow conditions by allowing users to program consumption thresholds that automatically cut the supply after a set period of time. A connected water meter will also alert users when leaks occur, so they can take action quickly to reduce water loss.

In addition to reducing water loss, IoT water management meters help utility companies track their water consumption. Connected devices and IoT applications can forecast water supply depletion and make plans for future water resources usage based on real-time historical data. Additionally, IoT devices are easy to install indoors, by mounting them to a pipe. Smart water meters can also be used to monitor the quality of water in a home or commercial establishment. These Internet of Things-based meters are also effective in preventing odors and other issues related to water use.

Is it Expensive to Integrate IoT into Water Industry?

While the implementation of IoT technology and smart meters can be costly for utilities, the long-term benefits still will be significant in terms of cost reduction, water management, and control. In addition to reducing water loss, they can monitor the water quality and detect leaks. As cities get smarter, this technology will be widely used to monitor water quality and detect leaks.

IoT smart water sensors can even improve revenue generation for utilities. IoT smart water meters can predict consumption patterns and improve billing efficiency for the water industry. The highly competitive water utility industry has made smart water management systems a high-potential use case. Many big companies have been focused on developing IoT solutions for water utilities and business owners. They have been developing hardware for a full range of IoT smart water meters. So, considering the high competition between companies developing cloud computing and IoT solutions for water management, the price for the devices has dropped significantly. It means you can buy a low-cost system for water management, which will improve the operations of your business (utility, agriculture, healthcare, etc.) and enable you to save money on water overuse for sustaining a certain temperature in the rooms or power operation of some systems.

What Exactly Can Water Sensors Help with?

Water sensors can help you use just the right amount of water, which can save funds and resources. By monitoring your water usage, you can make sure that you’re not using more than necessary, and that your treatment plants are running efficiently. Additionally, big data from water sensors can be used to improve regional water management decisions. In other words, water sensors can help you with resources conservation, and making better decisions about water usage.

Monitoring the Water Filters

IoT-enabled water treatment plants can report on filter cleanliness, and function, as well as the water pressure inside the pipes. Moreover, with the help of IoT technology, facility managers can detect leaks and detect chemical contaminants. The water plant can also detect and report on contaminants and filter cleanliness to prevent further deterioration. The system can be integrated with EAM CMMS systems to provide facilities with real-time data.

The IoT-enabled wastewater treatment plant can collect data from the different components of the system, such as wastewater flow and quality, and use it to improve the overall business processes of the facility. With water consumption data, a comprehensive state of wastewater disposal factors can be established. Moreover, water consumption data can help the plant schedule maintenance staff and monitor indicators. So, it’s no longer necessary to hire an additional technician to maintain the water plant management.

Increasing Convenience of the Citizens

The Internet of Things allows us to monitor our water consumption and other environmental factors, giving us a clear idea of how much we’re wasting, how much businesses and agriculture are wasting, and how much utilities are wasting as well. Smart thermostats, smart locks, and connected cameras all enable users with convenience and peace of mind. These smart sensors also monitor air quality and temperature, and can even detect movement to warn businesses of potential structural damage.

Energy prices continue to rise, and environmental concerns continue to plague the world, calling for smart supply management. That means that IoT providers are under more pressure than ever to develop smart water metering solutions that help people save their cash and conserve natural resources. The use of wireless sensors to monitor energy consumption and temperature provides big data that can help homeowners optimize their energy use and reduce expenses. Leak-detecting devices also help reduce water wastage, as they detect leaks and alert owners of impending problems.

Reducing Water Wastage

Smart systems are capable of saving as much as 2.8% of water. They also help avoid human error and create trust among consumers since they will have access to the data on water flow at all times. For example, they allow the user to report a leak and cut the likelihood of it occurring by 50% by creating a pattern for the analytical system. By monitoring and measuring the amount of water used by various appliances and toilets, smart meters can help homeowners reduce operating costs while conserving water.

In addition, with these new sensors and smart irrigation systems, farmers can monitor soil moisture levels in real time. This prevents water from wasting and prevents spoilage. Smart sensors can also trigger actions on the irrigation meter. In other words, smart sensors can automatically turn on or off irrigation based on the needs of the farm to increase yields. This way, farmers can save cash on water and energy. It is also possible to control and adjust the water content in the soil and reduce water wastage.

The IoT-enabled irrigation system can also monitor pumps, tanks, and other units. This allows farmers to adjust irrigation according to climate conditions. In addition, the systems can be monitored without the user’s presence. A smart controller that responds to weather conditions can help save water and energy. That means more water for the plants. Long-range devices present on market now can really increase efficiency of your business and help satisfy end users.

How Can TEKTELIC Help Reduce Water Usage?

TEKTELIC Communications offers a variety of water conservation solutions that enable organizations to reduce their water usage. Our products and services help customers manage and monitor their water usage, as well as provide educational resources on how to conserve water. In addition, we offer technical support and assistance to help customers implement and maintain their water conservation solutions.

Speaking about devices, which can be helpful for water reduction, we should note TEKTELIC COMFORT. It can be used to detect water leakages, and water metering, which will help conserve water resources and save on it. When you know how much water consumed on average, you will notice water waste really fast. The smart meter is optimized for long battery life and excellent RF performance as it operates in low-power consumption mode. Besides, it can be fully integrated into the LoRaWAN ecosystem. This sensor can improve efficiency of your indoor monitoring as a whole and put you in leadership positions among competitors. Meter reading data is always updated so, you can basically trust what you see.

For the connection of water metering sensors, we can offer you a reliable TEKTELIC KONA Macro IoT Gateway. This gateway can be deployed outdoors and mounted to utility poles, lamp posts, towers, roofs, or wall mounts. It is perfect for water pipes that are located all over the city and can withstand different weather conditions due to its hardened carrier-grade enclosure. Besides, KONA Macro IoT Gateway has already proven its usefulness in managing water meters in Varazdin, Croatia. With the help of our KONA Macro gateways, it became possible to monitor water flow across distribution channels, detect leakages or problems to reduce water loss, and save energy by knowing how much water flow is needed for a particular distribution line and water distribution network in general. It is a cost-effective solution integrated into a wide area network. There are many other use cases like this, proving the potential of smart meters. LoRa communication technologies, in turn, ensure meter readings are transferred through a wireless network to the end user and back, establishing two-way interaction. With KONA Macro IoT Gateway, you may easily connect your water management infrastructure and make it smart.

TEKTELIC smart water monitoring solutions help businesses and organizations track their water usage, identify leaks, and manage their water consumption more efficiently. By reducing water usage, businesses and organizations can save on their water bills, reduce cost of water wastage, and help protect the environment.

If you’re interested in learning more about how TEKTELIC water monitoring devices can help your business or organization save water, contact us today. We’d be happy to discuss our products and services with you and answer all your questions.