Drought is a major environmental issue in Australia with the country being one of the driest regions in the world. Therefore, it is imperative to manage water use wisely across residential and commercial properties.

Can cloud monitoring using SaaS technology be beneficial in water management? SaaS solutions such as the Sydney Water Hydrus meter and Izar radio technology track water usage in real-time, enabling commercial and residential users to accurately measure their water usage each quarter of the calendar year. Building managers can use these tools to correctly identify occupants who use the most water in the apartment complex or office space.

Smart city

As indicated in the above graphic, the Sydney Water Hydrus meter tracks the management of water, with the data communicated by the Izar radio from the house, apartment block or office to the internet. This information is then easily accessed remotely by phone, computer, tablet or a combination of all three, depending on the user’s preference. Having a digital metering solution that helps manage water usage efficiently is particularly helpful in a country as dry as Australia.

While having a digital metering solution assists with water usage management, how does that actually help in saving money for the end user? Manual metering systems lack a leak detection function, which can prove incredibly costly for a building manager or homeowner as it can result in inaccurate water readings as well as water damage over a period of time.

A digital metering system such as Hydrus addresses this problem when used with the Izar radio with a leak detector function. Along with additional functions for reverse flow, water failure, low temperature and tampering, Hydrus provides end-users and building managers a complete solution that mitigates the risk of unidentified water leaks, which can potentially save thousands of dollars each year, while managing water in a sustainable manner.

So what are the benefits of integrating digital water metering into a building management system (BMS)? BMS is vital for any large residential or commercial building as it helps building managers monitor and control the building’s electrical and mechanical services. Having the Hydrus water metering systems integrate with the building management system will allow the building manager to effortlessly manage and monitor water and schedule billing cycles for end users, while also providing a smoother reporting system across any building type.

Water management is an essential tool in Australia’s struggle against droughts and water scarcity; leakages simply add to the wastage of the precious resource while also causing wear and tear of water systems.

Digital water metering solutions such as the Sydney Water Hydrus Ultrasonic meter provide a solution that can accurately measure water, detect water leakages and simplify reporting via BMS integration.