Witten by Aimi Macready, Head of Sales, WaterGroup.
Australia's smart water metering industry has experienced significant growth in recent years. With the advent of advanced technology and data analytics, smart water meters have become crucial for water utilities to manage their resources effectively.
This article will explore ten predictions we made back in 2021 that have become a reality in Australia's smart water metering industry.
1. Increased Adoption Rate
The adoption rate of smart water meters in Australia has increased significantly in recent years. According to a recent survey by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 29% of water utilities in Australia have implemented smart water metering solutions. This represents a significant increase from just a few years ago when the adoption of these technologies was relatively low. The survey found that adopting smart water metering solutions was most prevalent in urban areas with the highest water demand. Smart water meters are becoming attractive as water utilities seek to manage their resources more efficiently. With real-time data on water usage, utilities will be better equipped to identify and respond to leaks and water scarcity issues more quickly.
2. Integration with IoT
Smart water meters are integrated with the Internet of Things (IoT) to provide near real-time data on water usage. Utilities can collect data on weather patterns, soil moisture levels, and other factors impacting water usage by combining smart water meters with IoT devices. This enables water utilities to monitor and manage their resources more efficiently.
3. Integrated Electronic Meters
Network-enabled ultrasonic electronic water meters are increasingly favoured over older style retrofitted or hybrid solutions whereby a sensor gets attached to a mechanical meter with data recorded by a third device being a data logger. Even if built into one physical body, this concept is still inferior to an integrated electronic meter, where the electronic reading will always match the actual one.
4. Integration with Additional Sensors
The miniaturisation of electronics, further advancements in sensor technology, analytics, power optimisation, and battery technology have allowed the integration of additional sensors such as, e.g., temperature or a leak detection sensor built into every water meter. This enables the detection of leaks in the house connection laterals an area that historically has had many undetected leaks.
5. Improved Accuracy
Smart water meters give more accuracy as they incorporate advanced sensors and data analytics. With improved accuracy, water utilities detect leaks and other anomalies more quickly and accurately. This helps to reduce water loss and improve the efficiency of the water supply.
6. Remote Monitoring
Smart water meters are monitored remotely, enabling utilities to identify and readily respond to issues. By monitoring smart water meters remotely, utilities can respond to issues before they become significant problems. With remote monitoring, utilities reduce the need for manual inspections and reduce the cost of maintenance.
7. Predictive Maintenance
Smart water meters are now equipped with predictive maintenance capabilities. By identifying potential issues before they occur, utilities can perform maintenance proactively, reducing the need for reactive maintenance. With predictive maintenance, utilities minimise downtime and improve the reliability of the water supply.
8. Enhanced Customer Engagement
Smart water meters enable water utilities to engage more effectively with customers. By providing real-time data on water usage, customers can monitor their water consumption and identify areas where they can conserve water. This helps to promote water conservation efforts and improve customer satisfaction.
9. Data Analytics
Smart water meters generate large amounts of data. Analysing it provides insights into water usage patterns. Data analytics enables utilities to identify trends and patterns in water usage leading to data-driven decisions. It allows utilities to optimise their resources and improve the efficiency of their operations.
10. Improved Billing Accuracy
Smart water meters enable utilities to generate more accurate bills based on actual water usage. Using real-time water consumption data utilities can reduce disputes and improve customer satisfaction. With improved billing accuracy, customers have more trust in their water bills, promoting a positive relationship with the utility.
