Reducing water leaks with pressure sensors
The availability of water resources remains a significant global concern. According to the World Bank, 2.5 billion people lack access to improved sanitation facilities, and nearly 1 billion rely on unsafe drinking water sources.
This issue has been exacerbated by climate change, with severe droughts increasingly affecting regions worldwide. As countries strive to mitigate the effects of climate change, attention is also turning to water supply networks and the infrastructure supporting them. A critical element of this discussion is the issue of non-revenue water and its impact on utilities.
Non-revenue water refers to all water that is produced but lost before it reaches consumers. This loss can be attributed to leaks, billing errors, or other factors.
Studies indicate that approximately 346 million cubic meters of water are lost daily, accounting for about 30% of global water system volumes. In the United States and Canada alone, losses amount to an average of 119 liters per person per day. Recognizing the magnitude of this challenge, utilities are exploring a range of solutions across their infrastructure.
One of the most effective approaches is improving usage monitoring directly at the meter.
Solution
As the final link in the water infrastructure chain outside the home, the water meter is perfectly positioned to function as a monitoring station to help prevent non-revenue water losses. Since many water meters already feature wireless communication for billing purposes, they are well-suited to serve as smart technology solutions — driving the adoption of smart metering regulations in several European countries.
By integrating pressure sensing technology into water meters, potential leaks can be detected, excessive water usage due to leakage can be monitored, and real-time data on water distribution can be gathered by measuring the flow into each individual home.
Mapping this data helps optimize water pump operations and enhance overall efficiency. However, embedding a pressure sensor inside a water meter presents challenges.
Sensata's 129CP pressure sensor is specifically designed to address these needs, offering a compact design with ultra-low power consumption to maximize battery life. Its durable construction ensures the sensor can withstand harsh conditions, including high-condensing environments and frequent water hammer shocks, lasting 10 to 15 years with seamless integration into the meter's PCB.
As smart water meters become more widespread, these advanced capabilities will enable utilities to mitigate the effects of non-revenue water, benefiting both the environment and their operational efficiency.
