1. Installation of Smart Water Meters:
- A smart water meter is installed at a property, replacing traditional mechanical meters. These meters use sensors to measure the flow of water in real-time.
- The smart meters are
- equipped with communication modules that allow them to transmit data wirelessly.
2. Data Collection:
- The smart home meter monitoring continuously tracks the amount of water used in a property. It records usage in detail, including hourly or daily data, depending on the system's settings.
- The meter may also track additional information like pressure levels or temperature, depending on the system's complexity.
3. Wireless Data Transmission:
- The collected data is transmitted wirelessly to a water meter monitoring central server or cloud-based platform. This transmission is done using communication technologies like cellular networks, Wi-Fi, or LoRaWAN (low-power wide-area network).
- Some systems also use radio frequency (RF) technology for local area communication.
4. Data Analysis and Monitoring:
- The transmitted data is analysed and stored in a centralised database. This can be accessed through an online dashboard or a mobile app, either by the homeowner, property manager, or water utility company.
- The system provides real-time and historical data about water consumption patterns, usage trends, and potential issues like leaks.
5. Alerts and notifications:
- If the system detects abnormal water consumption patterns, such as a sudden increase in usage (which may indicate a leak), it can send alerts to the user or the utility provider.
- These alerts can be in the form of notifications, emails, or SMS messages, allowing for quick responses to issues.
6. Billing and Reports:
- Utility companies can use the data from remote water meter monitoring systems for automated billing. This eliminates the need for manual meter readings and ensures accurate and timely billing based on actual water usage.
- Users can also access detailed usage reports, helping them identify trends and opportunities for water conservation.