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Smart Water Meter System with AI-Powered Consumption Analytics

Solution Overview

The Water Supplies Department is exploring the use of Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) coupled with mobile applications to enhance consumers' awareness of their water consumption on a timely basis, thereby facilitating behavioural changes to save water.[3] This approach addresses a critical consumption pattern identified through big data analytics, which revealed that approximately 1% of domestic customers account for over 15% of the city's total domestic water consumption.[1] Each Hong Kong resident currently consumes an average of about 130 litres of water per day.[1]

Technical Components

The system utilizes smart water meters equipped with high-precision readers and AI-powered technologies to analyse customers' water usage data, enabling identification of whether domestic water usage is mainly for cooking, laundry, or showering, and comparing these findings with the averages of other households.[1] In addition to enabling automatic reading of water meters, AMR provides customers with timely water consumption data and related information.[2] The system can detect possible water leakage in consumers' plumbing systems by analysing water consumption patterns and send alert messages for early follow-up action.[4] Once installed, the smart water meter readers start tracking water usage for eight weeks and transmit the information to a server located in the University of Hong Kong campus.[1] The radio frequency emitted by the smart water meter is of very low power and is classified as non-ionising radiation, with RF emission levels well below the safety limit set by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).[4] Water consumption data is encrypted during transmission to ensure data security, and WSD handles all personal data in accordance with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance.[4]

Implementation Details

WSD has been conducting a pilot project on smart water metering for approximately 400 households in Tseung Kwan O, Sai Kung, Sheung Shui and Kwun Tong since 2018.[4] The department planned to install smart water meters for all consumers in Hong Kong by phases starting from 2021.[4] The implementation strategy includes installing AMR in appropriate, new public and private developments, with an aim to install about 430,000 smart water meters for the period from 2021 to 2031.[2] Customers participating in the programme engage in an eight-week water conservation campaign where the taskforce installs smart water meter readers on the existing meters, without requiring any pipe modifications or affecting the water supply.[1] The smart water meter is provided and installed by WSD free of charge.[4] WSD plans to pilot the use of smart water meters and Automatic Meter Reading System to work in conjunction with WIN to help identify problems.[3]

Benefits and Impacts

Among the first batch of programme participants in the domestic sector, more than 80% of participants were able to reduce their water consumption.[1] The use of AMR raises customers' awareness about water conservation and alerts them of abnormal water consumption which may be caused by leakage in water mains inside their premises.[2] Consumers can access their water consumption information, such as hourly, daily and monthly consumption data, through the WSD website or mobile app anytime and anywhere.[4]

Climate Adaptation Relevance

This water conservation technology addresses climate adaptation challenges by promoting efficient water resource management in response to increasing water scarcity risks. The system's ability to detect leakage and reduce consumption through behavioural change supports resilience against drought conditions and water supply disruptions that may intensify with climate change.

Business Analysis

The implementation model involves municipal investment in infrastructure deployment, with WSD providing and installing smart water meters free of charge to consumers.[4] The phased rollout approach from 2021 to 2031 targeting 430,000 installations represents a significant capital investment in water infrastructure modernization.[2] The programme operates through a public service delivery model where the government agency manages both the technical infrastructure and consumer engagement components. The integration with the Water Intelligent Network (WIN), which includes establishment of a total of 2,400 DMAs and PMAs,[5] demonstrates a comprehensive approach to water system optimization that combines consumer-level metering with network-wide monitoring infrastructure.

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