Increase Distribution System Efficiencies with Advanced Technologies

Mueller Water Products provides utilities with a wide variety of advanced flow control and monitoring technologies as their water infrastructure systems become “ smarter.” These technologies — which include automatic meter infrastructure (AMI), remote shutoff meters, leak detection, pressure monitoring, and automated flushing — transmit data via private networks, cellular or LoRaWAN, and can be integrated with existing SCADA systems.

Helping Utilities Become Smarter

The Mi.Net system links service connections, distribution sensors and control devices in a technology ecosystem for real-time access and control. Designed to utilize the LoRaWAN open architecture standards that enable utilities to implement low-cost, mobile, secure bidirectional communication for the Internet of Things (IoT), the Mi.Net platform gathers hourly usage data from every meter in the network. Data from equipment installed throughout the distribution system communicates across the Mi.Net network to alert utilities of leaks, bursts or other emergent conditions.

Remote Meter Connect/Disconnect Technology

The 420 RDM contains a remote disconnect valve, which is integral to the 5/8-inch residential meter. Utilities use this feature to control water services to individual customers from the office. An integral valve allows the utility to upgrade to remote disconnect by installing the meter into the existing standard 7.5-inch service. The RDM works seamlessly with the Mi.Net network and receives prompts from the Mi.Net user interface when action is needed.

Automating Leak Detection for Smart Utilities

EchoShore-DX leak detection technology provides daily monitoring of a water distribution system. It looks for existing or emerging leaks using acoustical sensor nodes fitted within a standard fire hydrant pumper nozzle cap. The nodes can detect the presence of small leaks in their zones of deployment. They can also communicate with each other and the central collection hub. Each node establishes an accurate acoustical baseline for its respective monitoring zone, ensuring detection of leaks that may develop in the future. Data is transmitted via radio frequency or cellular networks, allowing for near real-time data analysis.

Automated Flushing Systems

For smart cities, automatic flushing systems enable utilities to program their water distribution flushing schedules, lowering labor and operational costs as well as improving consistency of water quality. Hydro-Guard® products flush distribution systems when water demands are low, or when residual levels are below pre-determined levels. Several water quality conditions can be monitored, including chlorine, pH, temperature, turbidity and flow rate. In addition, the Hydro-Guard pressure monitoring system can be installed at any point in the water distribution system and alerts the utility when high- or low-pressure thresholds are exceeded. WW

For more than 150 years, the companies that make up Mueller Water Products have provided products and services recognized for quality, dependability and innovation. For more information, visit muellerwaterproducts.com.

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