How do I choose the best option for my municipality?

For cities and municipalities, choosing the right type of water meter has become a strategic issue. With the challenges of sustainable water management, loss reduction, and infrastructure modernization, it is essential to opt for technology that is suited to current and future needs. In this article, we compare mechanical and ultrasonic water meters, highlighting their advantages and limitations in a municipal context.

What is an ultrasonic water meter?

An ultrasonic water meter uses sound waves to measure the speed of water flowing through a pipe. With no moving parts, it offers consistent accuracy and a long service life. This type of meter is particularly well suited to remote reading, especially with technologies such as LoRaWAN, making it an increasingly popular choice for municipalities. In addition, an ultrasonic meter can read very low water flow rates, which is not usually the case with a mechanical meter.

Mechanical meters: a traditional solution

Mechanical meters measure water volume using moving parts (turbines, pistons, etc.). Although they have been widely used for decades, their performance can decline over time as they become clogged, especially in environments where the water is dirty or has a low flow rate. This means that they can undercount water consumption in the long term. Mechanical meters that are 15 to 20 years old have been known to undercount water consumption by 30%.

Technology comparison for municipalities

Mechanical counter

✅ Cheaper

❌ Unreliable at low flow

❌ Parts subject to wear, may undercount after several years

❌ Periodic maintenance required

Ultrasonic meter

❌ More expensive

✅ Highly accurate, even at low speeds

✅ No moving parts, so highly durable

✅ No maintenance

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Why cities choose ultrasonic meters

As municipal infrastructures are modernized, ultrasonic meters offer a reliable, accurate and durable solution. Their compatibility with LoRaWAN networks, ultrasonic meters enable efficient remote reading, without the need to travel, and greater responsiveness to leaks or abnormal consumption patterns. They also facilitate the production of statistics and reports to meet government reporting requirements.

The right choice for your municipality

While mechanical meters may still be appropriate in certain low-budget situations, ultrasonic meters are a strategic investment for most municipalities. It helps to improve water network performance, reduce losses, optimize billing and offer better service to citizens.

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