What is remote management in the water sector?

A study carried out near Montpellier has shown that remote reading of water meters can help reduce water losses and cut bills. This example illustrates the potential of remote management both in terms of reducing water losses and optimizing energy costs.

Remote meter reading automates the process of collecting water consumption data, replacing traditional manual readings. It relies on sensors installed on pulse meters, which transmit information in real or delayed time to a central management platform.

This system provides continuous, accurate monitoring of consumption, eliminating human error and delays associated with manual readings. Thanks to the integration of IoT technologies, data transmission becomes more reliable, while offering a global and instantaneous view of usage, facilitating more efficient resource management.

An Access Point Name (APN) is the name of the gateway – the access point – between the cellular network to which the IoT device is connected and another network, such as the public Internet. This gateway acts as a demarcation point or perimeter between two distinct networks, often a public and a private one. As such, an APN can serve as an entry point for external attacks targeting the internal network.

Any IoT device that uses a data connection must be configured with a valid APN. The APN plays an essential role in connectivity management by defining various parameters, including:

• assigning IP addresses to IoT devices,
• quality of service (QoS) parameters,
• and routing information, including the use of VPN (Virtual Private Network) tunnels to secure data exchanges.

To put it simply, remote water management or smart water refers to the use of connected technologies to measure and monitor water consumption remotely, without the need for physical intervention on site. At the heart of this system are communicating meters, capable of transmitting consumption data via communication networks such as GSM, LoRa or Sigfox. This solution is fully in line with the Internet of Things (IoT), enabling more intelligent, responsive and efficient management of water resources.

Sub-counting: a lever for accuracy and fairness

In apartment buildings, sub-metering plays a key role. Unlike a global measurement of consumption for an entire building, sub-metering is based on the installation of sub-meters, enabling the water consumption of each dwelling to be tracked individually. These meters can also incorporate a water defaler, a device that automatically subtracts specific consumption (watering, technical use, etc.) from the overall consumption measured.

This system ensures a fair distribution of charges, taking into account the actual usage of each occupant, rather than a collective estimate. Backed by connected technologies, sub-metering makes it easier to monitor consumption in real time, encouraging more responsible and sustainable management of water resources.

The benefits of IoT for water management

The adoption of IoT, and in particular connected meters or smart meters, is revolutionizing water management, bringing significant benefits to public and private managers alike. By integrating these intelligent tools, operators of a pumping station or a wastewater treatment plant – for example – can better supervise and optimize the operation of their equipment and secure the use of water resources.

Resource optimization and anomaly detection

Connected meters enable real-time real-time monitoring of consumptionThis reactivity reduces water wastage and ensures more responsible resource management, while minimizing financial losses. This responsiveness reduces water wastage and ensures more responsible resource management, while minimizing financial losses.

Combined with a water defalcatorthese devices can also automatically exclude non-billable volumes from meter readings, improving the accuracy of analyses and the transparency of consumption data.

Energy performance improvement

By closely monitoring water flows, you can reduce unnecessary consumption and comply with regulatory requirements such as the BACS (building automation and control systems) and TERTIARY. Managers can also identify inefficient equipment and take corrective action to improve overall building performance.

Reduced intervention and maintenance costs

Thanks to remote meter reading, connected meters eliminate the need for site visits. They also enable predictive maintenance: by analyzing the data collected from a drinking water tank connected, for example, operators can anticipate malfunctions and plan interventions before a major problem occurs, saving time and reducing reducing costs.

Data-driven decision-making

Thanks to precise and easily managers have a powerful lever for guiding to guide their strategic decisions. For example, they can better assess the he need for renovation or modernizationand justifying these choices on the basis of concrete indicators derived from connected readings.

The integration of IoT into connected water management involves a number of challenges that need to be overcome to ensure efficiency and sustainability.

• Data security : IoT devices are vulnerable to cyberattacks, putting system integrity at risk. Robust encryption, secure protocols and regular updates are essential to prevent these risks.

• Privacy policy : Collecting and storing sensitive data, such as water consumption habits, raises privacy issues. Compliance with current regulations and rigorous access controls are crucial.

• Initial investment: The high cost of hardware, software and installation is an obstacle for many organizations.

• Maintenance and upgrades: Ongoing maintenance and necessary upgrades increase costs over the long term, requiring a sustainable budget.

• Device compatibility : Ensuring interoperability between various IoT systems is complex. Protocol standardization remains a key element.

• Network reliability: Maintaining stable connectivity, especially in remote areas, requires redundant mechanisms and reliable solutions.

• Environmental conditions: IoT devices, often exposed to hostile environments (extreme temperatures, humidity, corrosion), need to be durable and resilient.

• Power supply : In remote locations, providing reliable power is a challenge. Devices need to incorporate optimized energy management for long-term operation.

To meet these challenges, you need to plan strategically and invest in a connected solution with robust, scalable security protocols. In addition, the from partnerships with IoT solution providers solutions can help overcome technical and resource barriers.

Faced with major issues in water managementSynox a developed a simple, reliable and secure solution intended for support building managers and local authorities. This solution not only monitoring, but also collect and efficiently manage water infrastructures.

Based on IoT technologiesSynox’s offering includes connected tools designed to optimize the monitoring and performance of water networks. At the heart of this system are the SoM2M#IoT platform and multi-operator SIM cardsThe new system provides continuous, reliable connectivity for all sensors and PLCs deployed in the field. The benefits are manifold:

• Uninterrupted connection Data is transmitted remotely without interruption, even in areas with limited network coverage.

• Enhanced security : Synox guarantees a secure environment thanks to private APNs and data hosting in France, meeting sovereignty and compliance requirements.

• Ease of use An intuitive interface makes it easy to manage communicating objects and centralize all data.

The Synox solution also brings other benefits to local authorities and infrastructure managers. In particular, it enables them to reduce costs thanks to remote supervision and predictive maintenance, considerably reducing operating costs. At the same time, the facilitates compliance with the standards imposed by the BACS and TERTIAIRE decreesfor optimum compliance. Last but not least, the data collected in real time enables better infrastructure managementby enabling informed decision-making for targeted actions such as equipment renovation, modernization or optimization.