The Funchal City Council (CMF) is implementing a pilot project of Home Telemetry in the Ribeira Grande area, in Santo António.
According to the municipality, 110 thousand euros has been set aside for the installation of ‘smart metres’ – which will allow the measurement and transfer of information to the Funchal Water Department Command Centre, including daily domestic water consumption.
Essentially, this technology makes it possible to account for consumer consumption on a daily basis. The computer will extrapolate consumer consumption as well as collect data from the ongoing Leak Control project allowing water balances to be made in “real” time and, consequently, ensuring a more assertive control over the water distribution network.
As far as invoicing is concerned, telemetry simplifies the entire process, and allows effective and real readings on predefined dates, putting an end to consumption averages for billing. In this sense, it enables accurate invoicing and reduces the risk of lost billing due to equipment breakdown.
For consumers, home telemetry makes it possible to improve the quality of the service provided, either by eliminating billing by estimation or by early detection of building water leaks.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
Photo: JM
