Feedback on the Wize technology for water usage

Smart water metering

Since 2005, the worldwide utility SUEZ has been developing and deploying smart water meters for its customers. In 2016, the group introduced a new generation of smart metering solutions operating on the 169 MHz long-range Wize technology.

The choice of this technology was based on the specific technical and performance requirements that are determining factors to meet the needs of the water industry. Thanks to this IoT solution, SUEZ designs new services within the water management sector. This technology enables the group to support smart city projects while promoting a more responsible consumption of resources.

Customers moving from a billing relationship to an exchange for a more sustainable water consumption

The use of smart meters has changed the relationship between Suez and its customers as they no longer have to schedule meter reading appointments and as the billing is now based on their real consumption. Furthermore, customers can have access to their daily water consumption online, receive email or text alerts in case of leaks or excessive consumption. They can also monitor energy costs through the follow up of expenses regarding hot water for sanitary use. It also allows to reduce customers litigations (invoices, fraud, tax relief).

Water utilities improve the performance of public water service

The smart meters enable public water services to manage revenues through real-time monitoring of delivered water volumes, highlighting anomalies (leaks, backflows) and in general improve global water network performance.

Municipalities take advantage of water data management for economic and environmental benefits

Municipalities, thanks to the water smart meters, are able to adjust billing frequency with seasonal or social pricing, control multifluid consumptions in municipal buildings and protect water resources. It can also help municipalities monitor the occupancy rate of housing and analyse activity in tourism or economic areas.

Automatic and remote water cut-off

Hydrelis have come up with a solution to switch off water supplies within buildings automatically and remotely in case of a leak, this solution is used by SUEZ in its ON’Connect™ switch solution. The device provides real-time prevention of suspected leaks and sends automatic alerts mitigating water damages.

Furthermore, the automatic and remote management of water supplies of buildings, depending on usage (weekends, nights, holidays, etc.) empowers consumers to reduce their water consumption and to lower their bill by up to 30%. The solution is connected to Wize networks already installed in many cities.

Chlorine sensor monitoring

The Wize Chlorine Sensor has been developed to monitor in real-time the level of chlorine within pipes. Water utilities are required to provide the highest quality of drinking water. As the water flowing through their pipes is not fresh, they have to treat the water with chlorine to keep it safe from bacterias. Nevertheless, chlorine can be harmful for the health of consumers if ingested at a too high level. That is why water utility companies have to control the level of chlorine thoroughly. Some undertake manual checks by taking a sample within pipes and analyze it in lab.

This sensor is connected to the Wize network thanks to the company AllWize, which integrates IoT solutions connected to Wize. As pipes are deep underground the Wize technology is definitely the best solution!

Fire Hydrants monitoring

Fire hydrants are of paramount importance in cities and must always be working perfectly in case of fire, this is why water utilities perform maintenance tasks on them regularly. Despite the surveillance, the detection of a failure can be delayed between two maintenance rounds. Furthermore, fire hydrants are subject to thefts as people are using them as a free source of water to irrigate their lawns or even fill their swimming pool. Hence, when needed in case of fire, some fire hydrants are found empty.

The company AllWize has come up with a sensible solution, a sensor that measures the flow of water within the fire hydrants: the Wize Hydrants Monitor. Connected to the water utility’s back office, they can monitor when a fire hydrant is been illegally used or detect a leak in real time.

Leak detection with acoustic data loggers

Sewerin and Seba have developed acoustic zone monitoring sensors to detect water leaks in real-time using the frequency 169 MHz (Wize). The loggers, placed within the water networks underground record noises and compare them to measured data, when a change of data is detected it means a leak is happening.

Thanks to these loggers, water companies have been able to monitor their network remotely and in real-time. The frequency 169 MHz was naturally a good choice as water network are buried under ground.