Smarter Water Measurement for More Sustainable Use

Water measurement is not at the top of the sustainability goals list. Running water is left to habit and chance, which is why we waste so much water. General awareness campaigns don’t seem to be making a big dent, but there is a way to use technology to change even habitual patterns to save water. 

Instead of monthly or quarterly estimated water bills, it’s possible to use ultrasonic and AI-powered water measurement systems to manage our most valuable resource.

Check out the in-depth article, The Promise and Pitfalls of Precision Water Measurement, by Denis Koshelev.

From Mechanical Parts to High Tech Sound Waves

Traditional water meters rely on moving parts. With use, those parts wear down. Mineral deposits and debris also reduce the lifespan of mechanical parts. So, accuracy drops, especially when the water flow is low.

But Ultrasonic meters work differently.

An ultrasonic water meter uses high-frequency sound waves. It sends these waves through the water and measures how long it takes them to travel. No mechanical spinning discs. So, there’s far less wear and tear, and more stable readings, especially as the meters get older.

But the ultrasonic water meters aren’t perfect. Batteries will eventually die. Electronics age. Heavy fouling causes issues. But compared to a mechanical meter, they are more accurate for longer and need less hands-on maintenance.

Just as important is how often they collect data.

Traditional mechanical meters usually log usage only once a month. Smart meters record data every few minutes or even seconds. 

The new systems spot patterns like:

• Short bursts of increased water use that are likely toilet flushes

• Longer, steady flows from showers

• Prolonged or irregular use that could be a leak

Instead of having to wait until the end of the month for a high water bill, problems show up quickly.

Catching Leaks Before They Become Disasters

One of the biggest wins from ultrasonic measurement is the ability to detect even very small leaks.

The acoustic sensors and machine learning detect barely visible leaks, sometimes just a few drops per minute. These small leaks previously went unnoticed for months with traditional billing cycles.

By the time your bill spikes, the damage is already done. Mould grows, structural repairs become necessary, and insurance claims are filed.

Clamp-on smart systems are even more practical. They pinpoint the leak without tearing open walls or floors. Targeted repairs mean less disruption and lower costs.

Fair Measurements for Tenants

When water use is measured per unit, and tenants carefully watch their own water use, they aren’t paying for neighbours who don’t. That accountability changes behaviour faster than any awareness campaign ever could. Still, it only works with transparent billing. Otherwise, the metering could just shift costs from the landlord to the tenant rather than encouraging conservation.

Privacy, Security, and Rules That Haven’t Caught Up

Constantly recording water use reveals daily routines and occupancy patterns. This becomes a serious cybersecurity risk. Water data systems are valuable targets, with recent utility breaches showing this isn’t hypothetical.

Regulation is uneven. In Canada, water meters don’t face the same federal verification rules as gas or electricity. Provinces handle things differently, leaving gaps in data ownership, retention, and secondary use.

Standards exist to help systems communicate, but a clear national framework for granular water data still isn’t in place.

Why Feedback Actually Works 

Households billed by actual volume use far less water than those on flat rates. When people see their usage, many adjust without being told. Smart meter feedback produces long-term reductions.

Property managers can design pricing that rewards conservation and discourages waste using more accurate data. High-frequency data helps spot system-wide leaks and unauthorized use, cutting down on non-revenue water.

Sustainability with Smart Water Measurement 

Using less water protects rivers and aquifers. It reduces energy use for pumping and treatment and delays the need for expensive new infrastructure.

But there are upfront investments, and landlords sometimes use submetering to unfairly pass costs onto tenants. Without oversight, the promise of fairness falls apart.

Still, the technology is here. The real question isn’t whether we can measure water better. It’s whether we’re ready to treat water as the valuable resource it’s always been.