Metering.com 22 JULY 2016
In the US, the Texas Water Development Board authorised financing for two water conservation projects under its SWIFT programme.
The State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT) programme is aimed at helping communities develop and optimise water supplies at cost-effective rates. The programme provides low-interest loans, extended repayment terms, deferral of loan repayments, and incremental repurchase terms for projects with state ownership aspects. [Fiji begins water meter upgrade]
The two projects, for which $167 million in financing was improved, includes a reclaimed water system, as well as an advanced metering infrastructure project.
According to Bech Bruun, chairman of the Texas Water Development Board, “both are very important as conservation projects, so they’re not just going to save money on the ability to finance through our agency, but they’re also going to save the city money in being able to save water.”
The state senator of Austin, Kirk Watson, was reported saying, “Water conservation program[me]s have been key to pushing off the date when ratepayers will have to begin picking up a bigger tab for their water. These investments are a smart way for the City of Austin to protect its drinking water supply and its customers.”
Water management in California
Also this week, the City of Lancaster in California penned a deal with smart energy solutions provider Itron to enhance its water efficiency and customer service. [California water utility approves smart meter rollout]
Itron claimed that its smart water solution will enable the city to improve its distribution network management, leveraging real-time data.
The deal is aimed at lowering non-revenue water, increase its revenue collection and water efficiency through the detection of residential plumbing leaks.
Rick Gray, the mayor of Lancaster city, commented: “By investing in this technology, we’ll be able to detect and repair leaks in our water transmission lines, saving city taxpayers from bearing the high cost of dealing with water main breaks. The same technology will help our residential and commercial customers identify leaks on their own property, so they can have it repaired and avoid being surprised with a huge water bill.”
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