Badger Meter has long been recognized as a leader in flow measurement technology, boasting over 115 years of experience in serving water utilities, municipalities, and commercial and industrial clients globally. With a strong foundation in metering, measurement, Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), and Network as a Service (NaaS), the company is now expanding its offerings to include advanced tools for water quality and pressure management. This strategic growth enables customers to better manage their assets, enhance customer satisfaction, and improve revenue capture.

Innovating Beyond Traditional Metering

In recent developments, Badger Meter has integrated several companies, including s::can, ATi, and Syrinix, into its portfolio. This expansion signifies a shift from solely focusing on traditional metering to offering a comprehensive suite of smart water solutions that address various operational challenges faced by utilities.

– The Evolution of Water Metering

According to Matt Stuyvenberg, Vice President of Software and Water Quality at Badger Meter, “Today’s water meter collects far more information than just a monthly read for utilities. That operational data should not remain isolated within billing departments but should be utilized for greater operational insights.” This perspective emphasizes the importance of leveraging data collected from water meters to enhance overall utility operations.

Comprehensive Solutions for Intelligent Measurement

Badger Meter provides a range of end-to-end solutions that encompass mechanical, ultrasonic, and electromagnetic flow meters, along with advanced meter-reading technologies and robust analytics software. This intelligent measurement approach forms the backbone of the company’s capabilities in water quality, distribution, and analytical monitoring.

– Data Integration and Analysis

The data collected from these advanced metering technologies is integrated into BEACON Software as a Service (SaaS), providing utilities with visibility, control, and optimized information management. By combining this data with information from sensors deployed throughout the water system, utilities can achieve effective pressure management, leak detection, and operational insights.

– Advanced Metering Technologies

Among the notable products offered are the E-Series Ultrasonic meters, designed for both residential and commercial applications. These meters utilize solid-state technology housed in a compact, weatherproof, and UV-resistant casing. They feature an easy-to-read 9-digit LCD display, enhancing user experience. Coupled with ORION Cellular endpoints, these meters leverage existing cellular infrastructure to facilitate secure two-way communication of meter reading data, offering utility operators unprecedented access to vital information.

Empowering Consumers with Real-Time Data

While utility operators benefit significantly from the data collected, Badger Meter also prioritizes consumer engagement through its EyeOnWater tool. This consumer-friendly app allows users to monitor and manage their water usage in near real-time, facilitating better communication with customer service representatives via smartphones or other connected devices.

– Unlocking Intelligent Measurement

Intelligent measurement is central to Badger Meter’s comprehensive range of monitoring capabilities. Utility operators can now gain deeper insights by monitoring pressure alongside smart metering systems. The PIPEMINDER pressure monitors employ advanced algorithms and high-frequency pressure monitoring to facilitate asset and operational improvements. These tools enable utilities to classify pressure waveforms, triangulate event sources, and set smart alarms, all aimed at effectively mitigating leaks and enhancing system performance.

– Data-Driven Decision Making

The data compiled in RADAR, a user-friendly platform, allows utilities to track trends over time, preventing breaks and extending the lifespan of both potable distribution and wastewater collection networks. Monitors can be strategically deployed at critical points in the network, providing tailored insights and the flexibility to be relocated as needed for optimal asset monitoring.

Stuyvenberg emphasizes that “future-proof strategies utilize smart technologies, enabling a shift from reactive practices to proactive solutions based on real-time data.” This proactive approach is essential for modern water management.

Enhancing Water Quality Monitoring

The integration of water quality monitoring with metering and AMI systems provides a holistic view of the water network, regardless of the utility’s size or location. Badger Meter’s innovative solutions, such as pipe::scan and MetriNet, facilitate real-time, reagent-free monitoring of water quality directly within the distribution network.

– Remote Monitoring Capabilities

For remote locations, the MetriNet system offers a lower-power, modular solution for continuous water quality monitoring. This technology empowers utilities to collect data from previously inaccessible areas within the distribution network, enhancing proactive water quality management.

Stuyvenberg notes, “While monitoring stations won’t completely replace the lab, a network of low-powered, inline, online, and reagent-free solutions can be deployed in the field at critical locations, shifting to more informed decision-making and providing evidence-based proof of water safety.” This shift allows utilities to respond to water quality events in real-time, rather than waiting days for laboratory results.

– Modular Sensor Systems

The pipe::scan modular sensor systems can measure up to ten different parameters simultaneously, including Total Organic Carbon (TOC), Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC), UV254 absorbance, turbidity, color, chlorine levels, pH/redox, conductivity, temperature, and pressure. These measurements are taken without the maintenance challenges, chemicals, and bypass streams associated with traditional monitoring solutions. The data collected can be securely transmitted to the BEACON platform, allowing utilities to view it alongside other critical data.

The Value of Reliable Data

Badger Meter has established itself as a leader in cellular communication for meter reading since the launch of its first ORION Cellular endpoints in 2013. The company has consistently demonstrated that cellular technology is an ideal solution for data backhaul in water applications.

– Advantages of Cellular Data Backhaul

The combination of a secure, ubiquitous connection with the absence of the need for utilities to maintain their own networks enables customers to scale and deploy sensor networks reliably. This is a significant advantage over other Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) technologies, which may struggle with data saturation.

Stuyvenberg asserts, “As we look to move beyond AMI into a world of intelligent measurement, reliable communications and actionable data are key. This is not data for the sake of data collection. Our solutions turn data into insights, where the real value is realized.”

Transforming Data into Actionable Insights

The integration of communication and software technologies allows users to benefit from robust digital solutions that convert data into actionable insights. This transformation leads to improved outcomes and fundamentally changes how data is collected, stored, and utilized.

– Ensuring Water Safety and Customer Satisfaction

Water quality monitoring devices like pipe::scan and MetriNet can confirm that residual chlorine and turbidity levels remain within safe limits, ensuring the water supplied to consumers is safe for drinking. In the event of a disruption, utilities can utilize the EyeOnWater platform to communicate with affected homeowners, maintaining transparency and trust.

– Comprehensive Data Management

Asset management data can be linked to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and other measurement parameters, providing a single, comprehensive view of the entire system. Dashboards, heat maps, custom alarms, and reports streamline the process of information retrieval, reducing the time spent searching for critical data.

For instance, a PIPEMINDER pressure monitor installed at strategic points within a water distribution network can provide immediate notifications of pressure transients. By triangulating the source of the issue and confirming it with historical data stored in the RADAR platform, utilities can respond quickly. Additionally, the E-Series Ultrasonic meters facilitate the collection of district meter flow values, confirming incidents such as burst pipes. This information is securely transmitted to operators, who can access it via the BEACON platform.

Conclusion: The Future of Smart Water Management

Badger Meter is at the forefront of transforming water management through intelligent measurement and data-driven insights. By integrating advanced metering technologies, reliable communication systems, and comprehensive data analytics, the company is empowering utilities to operate more efficiently, effectively, and sustainably.

As water management continues to evolve, the importance of leveraging real-time data cannot be overstated. Badger Meter’s commitment to innovation and collaboration with customers and strategic partners positions it as a leader in the smart water sector. By combining measurement, communication, data, and analytics into customizable solutions, Badger Meter is paving the way for a more efficient and sustainable water ecosystem, ensuring that utilities can meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.

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