The Industrial Sector Needs Smart Water Monitoring Technologies to Reduce Waste

Access to clean water is a serious issue. Worldwide, more than two billion people drink feces-contaminated water. Some of the most drought-stressed countries are facing widespread famine as the seasonal rains, once again, fail to come. 

 

And yet, broken water mains still waste two trillion gallons of treated water in the U.S. annually. It’s enough to supply every person on the planet with 256 gallons of clean water — and that’s just from one country’s broken pipes. Using smart water technology to prevent this waste is imperative. 

Money Down the Drain

Climate change is creating and worsening droughts in many parts of the world. Coupled with a growing global population, many people are finding themselves without clean water for the first time. So why are so many industries still wasting such a valuable resource? 

 

Sometimes, poor product design is to blame. For example, the Mid-Continent Division Laboratory of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) saved 283,000 gallons of water a year just by switching to a different type of ice machine. Toilets that flush a little too hard can use gallons of unnecessary water with each use.

 

Other times, it isn’t the product itself that wastes water, but how people use it. Running a dishwasher only half full, using a sprinkler in the heat of the day and leaving the tap on while shaving all contribute to the water waste problem.

 

However, it’s the slow, insidious leak that goes unnoticed, sapping a building’s water supply little by little, that often wastes the most water. In addition to using unnecessary resources, it’s also a drain on many industries’ bank accounts. They may not even realize they’re paying for it. In the U.S., water utility companies spend more than $2.8 billion a year on leaking pipes. 

How Smart Water Technology Helps

Smart water technology is one of the most useful IoT systems available. While it may not be as flashy as color-changing smart bulbs or Bluetooth coffee machines, it’s much more practical, especially for large industrial companies that use a lot of water.

 

Smart water technology systems feature internet-connected sensors placed near pipes. The devices themselves detect moisture, but they also have an attached cable with additional sensors for hard-to-reach areas like the underside of water heaters and fridges. 

 

When a pipe leaks, the water monitoring system can send an alert for maintenance crews to come fix the leak, letting them know exactly where the leak is located. Users can also shut off the pipe remotely with an app or computer program. Additionally, the monitor can use an auto-shutoff feature to turn off the water itself, sending out an alert to users. The smart system will turn off the water in a small area or at the water main. 

 

Many smart water technology systems detect changes in water pressure to locate broken pipes. The larger the change, the more severe the leak. They also measure water temperature to alert people when a pipe is in danger of freezing or bursting. Additionally, systems can calculate daily, weekly or monthly water usage by measuring water flow rates over time. 

 

Water monitoring systems often use fiber optics, ground penetration, thermal imaging and noise loggers to detect minute changes in real time. These types of technology may be used alone or in tandem. Some monitors also measure how much water appliances use, which can reveal unexpected sources of wasted water. This feature allows companies to replace or upgrade their appliances to more efficient models.

Other Water Management Strategies

In addition to using smart water technology, there are several ways the industrial sector can minimize water waste. It’s important to routinely check equipment cooling water lines for corrosion and leaks. Maintenance workers should inspect shutoff valves to make sure they work properly. Looking for rust, pooling water, stains and mold on ceilings, walls and floors can catch leaks in progress.

 

Maintenance workers should also inspect steam traps, steam lines and hot water lines for leaks. Equipment with single-pass cooling should use the minimum required water flow rate. In cooling towers, blowdown and make-up valves should cut off water flow evenly.

 

In industrial kitchens, workers can use standby or shutdown mode for all continuous flow equipment when not using it. Cleaning the openings of pre-rinse spray valves goes a long way toward reducing water waste. Maintenance workers should ensure dishwashers are functioning properly, with manual fill valves that close all the way after the wash tank is full.

 

The steam gaskets on steam equipment should be in working order and door hinges should be tight. In food disposal systems, employees should turn off water to the disposals when not in use. Outside, broken sprinkler heads and nozzles might spray in the wrong direction, so it’s important to repair or replace them. Water features that lose several inches of water per week may have a crack causing a leak. 

 

Inside company restrooms, maintenance workers should inspect automatic toilet sensors to ensure they don’t flush more than once or run continuously. Workers should replace worn-out flappers as well as diaphragm and piston valves on toilets. If any sinks are dripping, employees should install better faucet aerators or clean them as needed. 

 

Above all, managers should conduct regular inspections of their facilities. They should also encourage employees to report drips, leaks and unnecessary water usage and take steps to fix the problem. The faster the response, the more money the company can potentially save. 

Reducing Water Waste

Water scarcity is a growing problem in many parts of the world. In contrast, other countries use so much water that it’s practically considered a limitless resource. Using smart water monitoring can greatly benefit the industrial sector regardless of location, helping cut down on waste and saving money in the process. Going forward, it’s going to become more important to carefully manage water consumption.