Apparatus and Method for Measuring Water Quality in a Water Meter Data Collection System

Abstract

A system for monitoring water quality in a water meter data collection system having a plurality of metering end points (E) for measuring consumption includes a plurality of chemical biological and environmental sensors (S1, S2) disposed in a distribution system near or within the distribution end points (A, B), with the sensors (S1, S2) generating electrical signals through a network (G) that can be processed and communicated with the water meter data to a collection station (D) from the metering end points (E).

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 439,258, filed Feb. 27, 2009, now copending, which was based on PCT Appl. No. PCT / U.S.08 / 070,052, filed Jul. 15, 2008. The benefit of priority based on U.S. Prov. Pat. App. No. 60 / 959,833, filed Jul. 17, 2007, is claimed herein.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The field of the invention is meter data collection systems for metering consumption of water supplied to single-unit residential, multi-unit residential, commercial and industrial customers from a municipal or district utility provider. The invention also relates to instruments for sensing water quality in such a meter data collection system.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Current methods and practices for sensing water quality through biological and chemical parameters, as well as environmental parameters such as residual chlorine, TOC (total organic carbon), turbidity, pressure, and others, involve systems with expensive sensors l...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]In the system of the invention, at least one sensor is associated with each end point (meter) in a water metering system to measure a different biological, chemical or environmental parameter within the specified region of the water distribution network. While more than one sensor might be utilized at a particular water meter, it is an objective of the invention to reduce the high cost of the various sensors that are necessary by distributing them among the end points in a zone of a water distribution system. Sensors can also be located at zone meters to monitor a specific parameter for a zone of the water distribution system, with different sensors being distributed to different zones.

[0007]A water utility distribution system can be protected from a wide array of potential biological and chemical contaminants and environmental parameters and can be economically deployed using the present invention, as there is only one parameter sensed per meter. It also provides early automatic detection of potential contamination events.

Problems solved by technology

This methodology cannot be used at the end points of a utility distribution network.

It has not been economically or environmentally practical to install these systems at end point locations in a water metering system.

If this were to occur, it is probable the current technologies and equipment would not detect the contamination event.

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