Water meter and associated water system using the same
View Patent ↗A smart water meter, including: a water flow measuring assembly; one or more water parameter sensors; a data transmission assembly; and wherein the smart water meter validates, and, in turn, provides peace of mind to a consumer that there are no water leaks and/or that the water utilized is safe and within predetermined parameters (e.g., free from lead, mercury, heavy metals, hydrocarbons, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and/or PFAS).
1 . A smart water meter, comprising:
a water flow measuring assembly configured to measure a volume of water flowing through the smart water meter;
at least one water parameter sensor configured to sense one or more parameters of water flowing through the smart water meter, wherein the at least one water parameter sensor measures water transmissivity; and
a data transmission assembly configured to wirelessly transmit data, wherein the data transmission assembly compares measured water parameter data against predetermined threshold values and automatically transmits an alert to a consumer when a measured parameter deviates from a predetermined threshold value,
wherein the smart water meter validates and provides alerts to a consumer and/or municipality if a water leak and/or water flow irregularity is detected and/or if the water quality is outside of predetermined, safe parameters.
2 . The smart water meter according to claim 1 , wherein the smart water meter records, stores, and reports historical water quality data and/or water flow rates and/or water consumption over one or more periods of time.
3 . The smart water meter according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one water parameter sensor measures total heavy metal concentration.
4 . The smart water meter according to claim 1 , wherein the water flow measuring assembly comprises a housing, a water input, a water output, and a water flow measuring chamber.
5 . The smart water meter according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one water parameter sensor measures water temperature.
6 . The smart water meter according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one water parameter sensor measures potential of hydrogen (pH).
7 . The smart water meter according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one water parameter sensor measures water turbidity.
8 . The smart water meter according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one water parameter sensor measures total PFAS concentration.
9 . The smart water meter according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one water parameter sensor measures conductance of the water.
10 . The smart water meter according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one water parameter sensor measures the concentration of dissolved oxygen in the water.
11 . The smart water meter according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one water parameter sensor measures the concentration of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) in the water.
12 . The smart water meter according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one water parameter sensor measures the concentration of chlorophyll in the water.
13 . The smart water meter according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one water parameter sensor measures the concentration of colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) in the water.
14 . The smart water meter according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one water parameter sensor measures total cation concentration.
15 . The smart water meter according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one water parameter sensor measures total anion concentration.
16 . The smart water meter according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one water parameter sensor measures total hydrocarbon concentration.
17 . A smart water meter system, comprising:
a water flow measuring assembly comprising a housing with a water input, a water output, and a water flow measuring chamber, wherein the smart water meter records, stores, and reports historical water quality data and/or water flow rates and/or water consumption over one or more periods of time;
at least one water parameter sensor configured in a bypass loop that is offline from the water flow measuring assembly and regulated via a pair of flow control valves; and
a data transmission assembly configured for wireless communication,
wherein the data transmission assembly automatically transmits real-time leak detection alerts to both a local consumer device and a remote municipality monitoring system, said alerts including leak location data, flow rate deviation data, and timestamp information, and
wherein the smart water meter alerts the consumer and/or municipality if a water leak and/or water flow irregularity is detected outside of predetermined safe parameters.