Introduction

Our client, a science and visitor attraction in North East England, is a renowned science village and visitor destination. Known for its innovative exhibitions and vibrant events, it serves as a hub for science education and research.

Demeter has been providing water monitoring services for this client since 2015. Our services currently cover multiple locations across the site, where daily proactive checks are performed on usage profiles and alarm statuses to ensure efficient water management.

The Problem

During routine monitoring at one of the site's facilities, our logger detected a sudden spike in constant water flow and immediately triggered an alarm. Constant flow represents water lost by the facility even when it is fully closed, a common issue in most buildings but one that should be minimised as much as possible.

Unlike services that stop at sending an automated email, our specialists reviewed the usage profile in detail, analysing the graph to pinpoint the issue. This thorough check revealed that the average constant flow had risen to 720 litres per hour, signalling a significant problem requiring immediate attention.

The Solution

Upon detecting the abnormal water usage, we promptly alerted the client via email, prompting them to investigate the issue. The client responded after conducting their checks, identifying a sticking ball valve in one of their storage tanks as the source of the problem.

Their feedback highlighted the value of our monitoring system:

"Many thanks for sending through the report. It does go to show that having the monitoring is really beneficial to us."

This swift action, enabled by our proactive alert system, helped the client address the issue quickly, preventing further water loss and underscoring the importance of constant monitoring.

Outcome

Following the resolution of the issue, the average water consumption decreased significantly, dropping from 720 litres per hour to 120 litres per hour—a reduction of 83%.

The calculations for water and cost savings mentioned in the case study are based on a 3-week period, as our internal data analysis shows that, in the absence of a proactive monitoring service like ours, leaks of this nature typically go unattended for up to three weeks on average.

This improvement demonstrated the effectiveness of the water monitoring system in identifying and addressing inefficiencies swiftly, highlighting the value of continuous monitoring for sustainable and cost-effective water management.