Water meters are essential tools that ensure the accurate measurement of water usage in commercial, industrial, and residential establishments on a continuous basis. Delivering verifiable numbers on water usage is a key factor that makes flow meters vital for agencies and businesses—to meet regulatory standards and maintain smooth operations.
Flow meters, tied to a system, can merge multiple reads from both mechanical and electrical metering data in one network. Such a system makes the data easy to access and monitor from anywhere.
A Water Flow Meter at a Glance
A device that measures how much liquid moves through a pipeline (in a given period of time) is called a flow meter. It is designed to assist operators in tracking and determining whether systems are working properly by providing visibility into what is flowing within pipes, drainage systems, and overall infrastructure. By tracking flow meter numbers, operators catch excessive flow rates before they damage pipes and ensure that each endpoint receives an adequate water supply.
Briefly, water meters are designed to:
- Measure water usage of individual residential and commercial establishments within municipal drinking water regulations.
- Provide factory operators with data on the amount of water used to cool an industrial plant.
- Help municipalities ensure that their wastewater systems meet government demand by tracking sewage flow.
In Conducting an Industrial/Commercial Water Audit in Canada, we also discussed why water audit (and equipment, including flow meters) is important. “Especially when businesses find they are using more water than they should by losing control of their efficiency, not monitoring possible leaks, overuse, outdated equipment, and pressure, for example.”
The Importance of Accurate Flow Meters
A variety of industries rely on accurate flow readings to ensure smooth business operations when it comes to water usage. That is why the accuracy of flow meters is crucial, especially in the following industries:
- Drinking water systems want to uphold the requirement for the right amount of water reaching each building on the system. Despite water consumption variations across a building (residential or commercial), dependable flow meters can ensure delivery of the most accurate numbers.
- To prevent clogs, an accurately measured flow of wastewater and sewage is essential in systems where liquid waste includes sludge.
- Cooling water prevents equipment from overheating in factories, municipal, and commercial establishments by delivering the required volume of water. That is where accurate flow meter readings play an indispensable role.
- Since most industrial processes require a variety of liquids (water, steam, gas), accurate water meters guarantee that businesses receive the right volume and pressure of necessary liquid resources.
- Agriculture is another industry that depends on water. Accurate flow meters can assist in ensuring that crops receive a sufficient amount of water (too much can lead to rot and too little cause stunted growth or wilting).
- Large industries such as oil and gas must measure water flows accurately to manage their production smoothly and establish an efficient energy supply.
Types of Flow Meters
The primary task of a flow meter is to measure water flow by tracking how many liquid streams go through a fixture. What differs in flow meters is the approach for tracking that flow.
Electromagnetic Flow Meters
Electromagnetic flow meters use electrodes to measure water flow, hence the name. “The electrodes, which are embedded on opposite sides of the surface through which liquid flows, create a magnetic field,” as per McCrometer.
As water generates voltage, electromagnetic the flow meter senses the voltage passing through the magnetic field and immediately tracks flow rates.
Main Manufacturers:
- KROHNE Canada
- Badger Meter (ModMAG Series)
- Endress+Hauser (E+H)
- Nulantic Water
- MagFlux
- CPE Systems Canada
- IZMAG
Vortex Flow Meters
Vortex flow meters track the changes in pressure disparity created by an obstacle in the route of the liquid (the von Kármán effect). Those meters do not have mechanical parts and require little maintenance. However, their downside is inaccurate readings (especially at low flow rates).
Main Manufacturers:
Differential Pressure Flow Meters
Differential pressure flow meters are constructed to measure the pressure of water flowing through an orifice or nozzle. In such constrictions, a high-pressure drop is a sign of high-water flow.
Those meters have one major downside: it reduces pressure, slows down water flow, and might lead to a permanent pressure loss.
Main Manufacturers:
Ultrasonic Flow Meters
Ultrasonic flow meters utilize ultrasonic waves injected into the liquid. By listening for a response through the ultrasonic waves, the meter is able to define how fast liquid is travelling almost instantaneously.
Ultrasonic meters are also low maintenance due to a simple structure and a few mechanical parts.
Main Manufacturers:
- KROHNE Canada
- Badger Meter (Canada)
- Endress+Hauser (Canada)
- CTH Industrial Controls (Hoskin Group)
- Hoskin Scientific (Instrumentation)
Mechanical Flow Meters
Mechanical flow meters use a propeller to force liquid through a physical component to measure how fast it would turn. Mechanical (also called Turbine) flow meters are known to record flow rates with precise accuracy.
Main Manufacturers:
- Intellimeter Canada
- Macnaught Canada
- Cannon Water Technology
- Sensus (Xylem brand)
- Neptune Technology Group (via Elster Water Metering)
Positive Displacement Meters
Positive displacement meters are designed to accurately measure low to medium water flow. That is why they are mainly used in residential and small commercial buildings.
Positive Displacement meters feature a measuring element (displaced to track the volume of water passing through) and a magnet within the meter (drives the register to record the volume).
Main Manufacturers:
- Badger Meter
- Omega Engineering (Canada)
- Hoskin Scientific
- Vissers Sales Corp. (via Carlon)
- Norgas Meter Technologies (Norgas Controls)
Compound Water Meters
Compound water meters are mainly used in settings with rapid and wide water fluctuations. Just like Mechanical flow meters, they are designed with a turbine and volumetric technologies to measure flow rates.
Compound water meters also feature two sets of meter readings: a larger meter for high flow and a smaller one for low flow.
Main Manufacturers:
Choosing the Right Water Meter for a Large Company
One of the key differences between effective and inadequate water management is choosing the right water meter.
While it is crucial to identify the right type of meter for your home or business, it is also vital to consider running and maintenance costs.
Choosing the right flow water meter for your space depends on the following factors:
- Budget
- Accuracy of flow measurements
- Quality of your water
- Fluid thickness
- Flow rate
- Water temperature
- Installation and maintenance costs
In addition to water meters, you might wonder whether water valves would also allow you to save and manage water efficiently. In Why and How Water Valves Can Help Businesses Save we discuss “water valves that allow businesses to manage when, where, and how water is distributed. A control that is essential for process efficiency, water preservation, and consequently to reduce energy consumption, as the fluid will be well planned and monitored before being used.”
If you are looking to reduce your water cost, EnergyRates.ca can help you review and reduce your utility costs beyond water usage. Our experienced team of energy consultants can support you in comparing rates and plans for your commercial, large commercial or industrial operations.
Contact us or call us at 1-855-635-9608 for a custom quote based on your water and energy needs.
