Smart meters help save precious water

’ trial of new, smart water meters around Woodville proved invaluable during the severe summer drought, detecting leaks at a time when water was scarce.

Now, the Tararua District Council is extending that trial to a larger-scale, with 100 new IoT (Internet of Things), water meter pulsar pickups being installed across the district at extra-ordinary water users, with council selecting high users as well as making a random selection of standard users.

This work is fundamental in helping save our valuable water resource, as well as reducing maintenance costs, especially when our district faces water shortages.

This will help council to monitor water flow coming into next summer.

pThis is exciting technology, but we arenot the only council in New Zealand using these,q Ray Borrie, councilos Projects Specialist, said. p’ pulse signal is sent to a gateway and out through 3G, allowing us to read the water meter every hour, building up data, so we can pick up water leaks and gauge water usage. It also alerts us to problems.

Borrie said the new system was very beneficial during last summeros severe drought, allowing council to quickly identify problems, therefore saving precious water.

pWe can build a picture of the water used and gain a clearer understanding,q he said.

The installation of the IoT data loggers/transceivers allows council to log, transmit and store data in a format which enables staff to use data essential for water operations.

The trial is one of the actions listed on Councilos pTararua District Recovery Plan ’ction Summaryq that is being published monthly in the Bush Telegraph.

The Tararua District Recovery Plan identifies the need to develop initiatives that reduce individual water use and that increase water resilience for the Tararua District.

One of these initiativeos is the installation of digital measuring, reporting and alarm systems.

pWhen we show farmers what these smart, water meters are capable of they are quite excited because they have to pay for their water based on usage,q Borrie said. pThis is a very inexpensive system to install and a very clever piece of kit.q pThe council has engaged with IQnexus IoT to supply secured gateways for accessible locations with suitable internet and power access, along with physical security.

The data loggers will be installed directly to Senus 620 meters which we have a majority of in the Tararua Districtq, Borrie said.

pWe are keen to install data loggers on some of the old meters, using the Tararua ’lliance to swap the meters to Sensus 620 units which have the transceivers fitted into the lids,q he said.

The meters are very secure and a tool for helping with our water security. pThese meters are used by the Tararua ’lliance, a highwater user, and theyove found them very useful,q Borrie said.