THE FUTURE OF WATER METERING IS HERE: ECO-DESIGNED ALTAIR V5

An eco-designed water meter not only has a smaller carbon footprint but also a reduced overall environmental impact. This allows water utilities to incorporate the carbon cost of updating their meter fleet into their carbon footprint calculations, while also minimizing other environmental impacts. When a company is involved in reducing its carbon footprint and finding sustainable solutions, as Diehl Metering with Ecovadis,  every network component must be evaluated.

Eco-design considers carbon emissions throughout the product's lifecycle, including manufacturing, usage, and end-of-life. Additionally, it addresses other environmental concerns such as ozone layer depletion, freshwater eutrophication, and the use of mineral resources.

This ongoing effort to minimize impact is continuously enhanced through innovations, such as new materials, and evolving regulations.

Smart meters help reduce carbon emissions by preventing water loss, optimizing water production, and promoting consumer awareness and conservation.

• Preventing water loss and optimized water production: By minimizing water loss through timely leak repairs, utilities can maintain efficient water production levels. This efficiency means that less energy is required for water treatment and distribution, directly contributing to reduced carbon emissions.
• Consumer Engagement: Smart meters provide detailed consumption data that utilities can use to inform and engage consumers. By educating consumers about their water usage patterns and encouraging conservation practices, overall water demand can be reduced. Lower water consumption translates to less energy needed for water production and supply, further decreasing carbon emissions.

Upgrading traditional water meters to IoT-enabled solutions can be achieved by adding a radio clip-on module. This module transforms conventional water meters into smart meters, enhancing their performance, reliability, and ease of operation. 

• Radio Clip-On Module:  By attaching a radio clip-on module to a traditional water meter, you can convert it into a smart meter. This module leverages advanced technologies such as LoRaWAN®, wMBus, or mioty®, which provide extended coverage and efficient data transmission. Radio configuration and index update can be done remotely (2-way communication function) or thanks to an opto head  device.
• Flexible Operation Modes: The module can operate in both fixed network and mobile modes, with automatic switching between them. This flexibility ensures reliable data transmission regardless of the network environment.

By upgrading traditional water meters with these IoT-enabled modules, utilities can significantly improve their water management capabilities, leading to better performance, reliability, and operational efficiency.

There are different ways to measure water flow. Volumetric meters, like the ALTAIR V5, use a rotary piston to count water. Each piston movement represents a specific amount of water. Ultrasonic meters, like the HYDRUS 2.0, measure how fast water moves between pulses to calculate the volume. Both types of meters offer high accuracy and can provide reliable measurement data for up to 15 years. Ultrasonic meters have built-in radio capabilities, while volumetric meters need an upgrade with a clip-on radio module to become smart. When deciding between ultrasonic and volumetric meters, consider the specific needs of your application, including the environment, flow conditions, and water quality. This will help you choose the meter that best fits your requirements;