Digitalisation of water supply

The Juragruppe water company, based in Pegnitz, Upper Franconia, has chosen ultrasonic water meters which can be read wirelessly. Purpose: To increase efficiency.

Digitalisation of the water supply

Cost savings and the simplification of administrative work are reasons for the investment highlighted by director and plant manager Hans Hümmer.

In benchmarking studies, Juragruppe performs very well in categories such as efficiency, customer service and quality. The new wireless water meters from Kamstrup should help the water provider to maintain the high performance levels of a modern service company in the future. After all, according to the Juragruppe corporate philosophy,

a water supply can only be successfully managed through constant improvements to efficiency.

The current method of reading the meters is characterised as an enormously costly and labour-intensive process. Casual workers such as pensioners and students currently serve as on-site meter readers. Unfortunately, residents are often not at home, making it necessary for Juragruppe employees to make numerous attempts to read the meter.

This method has proved to be out of date for a number of reasons. Particularly as the data obtained in this manner is, at most, sufficient for producing an annual bill.

Wireless meter reading from the car

Following installation of the remotely readable meters, Juragruppe employees are able to quickly and efficiently read all the meters by driving past the premises because the consumption data is transmitted wirelessly on fixed dates. Not only does this save Juragruppe time but also significant costs.

This process simultaneously improves customer convenience, as they are no longer disturbed for the purposes of reading the meter.

By submitting consumption and operating data in high resolution and at frequent intervals, the new water meters should support Juragruppe in its digitalisation process.

The wireless transmission from the new water meters enables Juragruppe to detect more quickly any water loss resulting from leaks and burst pipes for example.

Director and plant manager Hans Hümmer explains: "The new generation of meters make it possible to minimise water loss. Our remote system already enables us to detect burst pipes via the meters in our delivery manholes. Until now, the detection of excess consumption of this nature would have meant a search in the area surrounding the manhole. The ability to read the daily consumption from the new meters enables us to determine whether a leak has occurred somewhere on the mains network or with a residential property. This saves enormously on manpower."

Precise measurements - The basis for excellent customer service

The new ultrasonic measurement technology in the water meters (which has proven itself with more than 20 years of use in heat meters) results in greater precision of the measurement results and improved measurement stability. The high quality of the meters means that at least one meter replacement is avoided and customers of Juragruppe can be guaranteed stability of their charges due to the determination of precise consumption data.

Hans Hümmer explains the benefits in terms of his consumers: "There were a number of reasons why we chose the Kamstrup meter. In addition to supporting our digital approach

by means of easy wireless reading and access to historical values, the water meter guarantees a higher level of customer satisfaction due to increased accuracy. The smallest and largest flow is reliably detected due to the wide dynamic range of 3 to 3100 l/h. And the most important feature of all – the meters have no moving parts in the flow area which make them less subject to impurities or wear and tear. Consequently, there is no start-up and shut-down with this generation of meters and they only measure what is actually used! The combination of ultrasonic technology and electronic data transfer will mean that reading errors and discussions with customers about excess consumption will become unnecessary."