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Metering residential irrigation water: Technological approaches and cost estimations
Author(s) -
Richards Gregory L.,
Johnson Michael C.,
Barfuss Steven L.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal ‐ american water works association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.466
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1551-8833
pISSN - 0003-150X
DOI - 10.1002/j.1551-8833.2009.tb09906.x
Subject(s) - metering mode , metre , irrigation , environmental science , water conservation , water quality , computer science , water resource management , engineering , environmental engineering , mechanical engineering , ecology , physics , astronomy , biology
An increasing number of secondary or dual water systems, which typically deliver irrigation water, are taking steps to meter all residential connections. Although metering encourages conservation and provides increased manageability, metered systems also face unique challenges principally related to water quality. In order to use standard meters, filtration must be used to clean secondary water to a level sufficient for meters to perform well. Increased operational expenses attributable to water treatment, meters, meter reading, and maintenance interfere with inexpensive water pricing methods generally used in secondary systems. Consequently, the question of metering ultimately hinges on economic feasibility for the majority of secondary water providers. This article outlines the technologies currently available for secondary water metering applications. Approximate costs and design requirements of these technologies are identified, thereby allowing water suppliers to determine the economic feasibility of metering. In addition, other design precautions and considerations for implementing secondary metering are discussed.