Water distribution networks supply users with water on demand, with adequate pressure under various loading conditions. Municipal water supply systems in particular are subjected to different loading conditions such as peak daily demands that vary throughout a day, such as critical loads when pipes burst or fires need extinguishing. Utility companies can increase their operational efficiency by knowing, with accuracy, the load on the network.

ABB’s AquaMaster4 Mobile Comms provides that accuracy. The flowmeter is a wireless solution for continuous flow measurement, the logging of accurate data and communication of information that is critical for today’s water management. Employing connectivity on 4G-LTE and NB-IoT networks, the flowmeter enables lower power consumption, and is designed to identify leaks 10 times faster than the market standard.

“AquaMaster 4 Mobile Comms allows you to stay connected to the flowmeter instead of just relying on data being communicated,” says Krishna Prashanth, global product line manager, Electromagnetic Flowmeters with ABB Measurement & Analytics. “That provides dynamic insights into supply and demand and allows better control and hence intelligent water management.”

Employing bidirectional connectivity, AquaMaster4 Mobile Comms provides the near-real time data needed for today’s intelligent water management. Operators can be hundreds of miles away and read values from the device remotely, giving them access to manage the device and their operations wherever they are located and at any time. Historical logged values of pressure, flow rate, alarms, battery life and activity record can also be retrieved remotely. The flowmeter can also be used to identify low-flow nighttime leaks that would otherwise be undetected.

By using high speed, low-cost mobile data accessible via an internal SIM card connected to a mobile network, the flowmeter provides an adaptable and agile solution for deployment from virtually any location, according to Prashanth. The flowmeter’s high battery life further reduces costs, removing the need for electrical connections. The flowmeter detects battery life and can be reconfigured to a suitable power mode. The device recovers itself by rebooting in case of faults and allows for task automations. It can also be renewable-powered, further extending its cost-cutting capabilities. 

“This is a significant step forward in the digital journey in water networks, helping to save resources in an industry that is focusing so much on conservation and sustainability,” says Prashanth. 800-435-7365; www.abb.com