Water Distribution Companies and customers have had to sometimes engage in arguments because the latter think they are being cheated.
Though research has shown meter readers sometimes make mistakes, households cannot exonerate themselves from perceived over-consumption of water.
Thankfully, a smart prepaid water metering system developed by computer engineering students of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, is set to save the cost of operation of water Distribution Companies and ensure prompt payment of water bills.
A 2008 research showed water consumption in Kumasi was between 177 liters per day for high-income households to 70 litres for low-income households under continuous water supply.
According to the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, water efficiency means using improved technologies and practices that deliver equal or better service with less water.
There is also concern householders on low incomes are less able to invest in water efficiency measures.
The final year students Awudi Eric Okyere, Quarm Sylvanus and Ebenezer Azumah with the supervisor and Benjamin Kommey decided to design a meter which can measure the volume of water consumed electronically, synchronise meter record remotely, track and update metering data remotely.
“We wanted to design a meter that allows users to track water usage using an APP and Water companies can track all meters deployed all over the world,” said Ebenezer Azumah.
The system consists of a web app, hardware having, processor and a mobile APP.
As water begins to flow through the meter it sends pulses to the controller and once it calculates it takes it to the remote server.
The remote server calculates the bill and gives a real-time plot of meter consumption and flow rate.
“When you’re not around and water is overflowing the plot will tell you water is still flowing meaning Tap has been opened or there’s either problem with the meter,” Said Quarm Sylvanus.
