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Reducing Cost of Water Usage Analysis

InnovaSonic® 205i Clamp-on Ultrasonic Flow Meter

Large regional water companies, like California American Water Company, which services the central coast of California, have already invested in high performance flow measurement instrumentation to better understand its usage.

Most Americans receive water service from community water and wastewater utilities. It is less known that private water companies own nearly 16% of the nation’s community water systems. Carmel Riviera Mutual Water Company is one such small rural water company. The company serves up to 600 homes located along California’s beautiful and rugged Big Sur coast. Historically, they estimated annual water loss rate through leaks, waste, evaporation and other losses at around 30% of the total produced. The company budgeted almost $60,000 per year in initiatives to reduce these leaks, including labor and materials for surveys and expensive repairs.

SIERRA’S SOLUTION

In their efforts to expand operational efficiency, Carmel Rivera investigated using Sierra’s InnovaSonic® 207i Clamp-on Ultrasonic Flow Meter. It promised to help determine water-loss percentage, improve production efficiency, improve water quality (reducing back flush) and more accurately identify over-users. The versatility of the clamp-on ultrasonic meter made it a perfect tool for the small, often cash-strapped, water company. Simply clamp the sensors onto the outside of the water pipe and extremely accurate measurement was now possible–no need for costly system shut downs, pipe cutting and plumbing.

After six months of using the InnovaSonic 207i, Carmel Riviera found their actual loss rate to be only 12% of their production – uncovering an 18% discrepancy in original water loss estimates. The improved production and usage figures derived from the InnovaSonic enabled the company to significantly reduce their $60,000 annual maintenance and operations budget to target more funding on improving conservation and efficiency.

Here’s what makes Sierra’s InnovaSonic 207i an ideal choice:
  • Highly accurate (+/- 0.5% of reading) 
  • Reduces maintenance costs by providing accurate usage rates
  • One meter for pipes 2” to 200”
  • Clamp-on sensors are very easy to install with no pipe intrusions
  • Includes complete data logging and analysis tools