Stephen Sheridan, Head of Account Management at Business Stream.
The use of remote and digital monitoring systems to track water use has been increasing in recent years, with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic highlighting their importance. During a time when businesses and public sector bodies experienced a reduced footprint with personnel working from home, or buildings being closed, the ability to remotely monitor water usage proved to be an invaluable resource.
One of the most widely-used water monitoring technologies available are Automatic Meter Readers (AMRs). These small devices send meter readings in 15-minute intervals to a centralised point via either a wired or wireless connection to provide almost real-time data.
Notably, they do not require physical intervention from onsite personnel and the data can be accessed 24/7, 365 days of the year. This allows businesses to remotely monitor their water use and identify any issues that arise. The new hybrid model of working, which means less personnel on site, alongside the reality that not all businesses have the resources and time to regularly track their water use, means that the advantages of being able to do so remotely will continue.
The business benefit of investing in AMR technology
While manual meter readings are still used, AMRs provide a far more effective, time efficient option for most organisations. Businesses can use AMR data to compare and benchmark their sites, forecast future costs and develop more in-depth water reduction plans.
Being able to see their water usage profile in granular 15-minute intervals also allows businesses to pinpoint operations that may be inefficient during the course of the day and highlight if a site is using water out of hours, something which index readings cannot do. This will be particularly helpful during colder months where there’s an increased risk of freezing pipes, leaks and bursts.
But what happens if the data shows a sudden or unusual spike in consumption? Business Stream, the most experienced water retailer in the UK, has been relying on AMR technology for years to help its business customers. If any changes are detected then the retailer will investigate the issue to identify the source of the problem and ensure it is fixed. Leaks can often go undetected for a long period of time if they’re not visible but by using AMR technology, Business Stream can identify and resolve any problems before they become a significant and costly issue for the customer.
Keeping operations on track
Business Stream has been Network Rail’s water supplier in Scotland since the market opened in 2008, and now services all of the rail infrastructure company’s major rail stations in Scotland and England, as well as its numerous operational sites around the country.
Network Rail owns, operates and develops Britain’s railway – the 20,000 miles of track, 40,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts and the thousands of signals, level crossings and stations, which millions of people depend on every day.
Network Rail’s site at Slateford Road in Edinburgh is a large operational rail depot with numerous buildings which have been developed, removed or redeveloped over time. This has contributed to a complex infrastructure plan, which can make locating pipes and other underground services a complicated exercise.
After installing an Automatic Meter Reader (AMR) at the site in June 2021, Business Stream analysts quickly spotted an irregular water usage pattern, at odds with the normal water use expected from a typical rail yard. This suggested that the site could have a leak, or multiple leaks, which required further investigation.
Business Stream’s water experts worked with Network Rail to trace connection-by connection and building-by-building all of the assets covered by the AMR. Following an investigation on site, the team located a faulty meter, and an initial leak, which was losing 504 litres of water per hour. Further investigation found a second, larger leak on a fire hydrant which was wasting a significant amount of water – 4,392 litres per hour.
Engineers located the issue using a combination of highly sensitive sounding equipment and signal devices to pinpoint the problem pipes beneath ground.
Thanks to the speedy repair of the leaks, the site’s carbon use was reduced by over 1.24kg per hour and costs by over £100,000 per year. Business Stream also undertook a full network survey and submitted a leak allowance application to Scottish Water to recover the costs of excess consumption before the leak was fixed.
This illustrates the positive impact AMR technology can have, as without the technology Network Rail may not have discovered the issue for a significant period of time, continuing to leak water underground. Thanks to the continuous remote meter reading, Business Stream’s expertise to identify the source of the issue, and the diligent work carried out by the onsite engineers, the rail operator was able to safeguard its operations, deliver environmental efficiencies and avoid unnecessary costs.
Stephen.sheridan@business-stream.co.uk www.business-stream.co.uk