I “hear”
something you don't “hear”…

This innovation uses ultrasound to detect noise patterns in the water and records the lowest noise value. This allows background noise, such as above-ground traffic, to be filtered out. If the lowest measured noise value exceeds a certain level, this indicates a possible leakage or a water pipe break. Until now, leak detection, especially in connecting pipes, was a time-consuming, inefficient and costly task. Early detection of leaks not only limits consequential damage, but also allows for proactive customer service. 

Numerous additional functions

The flowIQ® 2200 is also equipped with the reliable functions of the proven domestic MULTICAL® 21 water meter. “Info codes”, for example, alert you to leaks, backflow and attempts at tampering. The latest water meter from Kamstrup integrates additional extras, such as an indication when the temperature is too low or too high or when the overload flow is exceeded.

Just like the MULTICAL® 21, the new starter offers full support for remote reading via drive-by or fixed network. Thanks to the 460-day memory, precise billing data accurate to the reporting date also provides for continuous and comprehensible overview of consumption, network status or possible water losses due to leaks or burst pipes. 

With the help of the associated Leak Detector analysis module, recorded noise levels of the flowIQ® 2200 water meters can be visualised and leaks in the connection and distribution network can be localised. At the push of a button, the software provides a detailed overview of potential leaks. This new dimension of transparency makes it possible to sustainably curb water losses. This benefits not only water suppliers, but also consumers and the environment.

From theory to practice 

The task of the Konz Municipal Utilities in Germany was to examine whether the meter was theoretically an indispensable aid in water supply or something that could actually pass the practical test. Within a very short time, the first successes were achieved and Ralf Zorn, plant manager of the Konz Municipal Utilities, and his team were already able to detect several pipe bursts with the new meter. At least two of them would not have been found in the conventional way because they were not audible from the road, explains Zorn. The water utility on the German border with Luxembourg has 230 flowIQ® 2200 models in use as a test pilot. An area was chosen that would bring significant challenges when it came to pipe burst detection: an inner-city area with high levels of background noise. In addition to the noise, plastic pipes make it difficult to locate pipe breaks in the conventional manner. “The flowIQ® 2200 provides valuable services especially for our house connections with plastic pipes, as noise transmission over large distances is fundamentally difficult here,” points out Zorn. Irrespective of the material of the pipe network, the flowIQ® 2200 detects leaks or pipe bursts upstream and downstream of the meter by determining the noise via the sound in the medium water. From practical experience, the plant manager reports that 65% of the damage is in the house connection area. “Our experience with the flowIQ® 2200 is very good. It delivers exactly what we expected,” says Zorn.

The future is called ALD and is sustainable

The readout is via a fixed network, which transmits the data on a daily basis. In the interplay of excellent support from Kamstrup and the water supplier's interest in the new technology, an understanding of the subtleties of the software quickly developed.  “The system is very sensitive. We felt our way in, because it detects even the smallest water deviations of 40 - 50 litres per hour. Here we have to weigh up which data is important for us as a utility,” says Zorn, describing this sensitive technology.

“We get a higher level of data security, save personnel resources, therefore have more time for more important tasks and considerably more control over our pipeline network,” says Zorn, summarising the advantages again. 

The collective municipality of Konz is located on the border to Luxembourg and supplies around 10,000 households with fresh drinking water via a pipe network of 250 km. The water utility also supplies the neighbouring country of Luxembourg with approx. 300,000 m³ of water per year.