Journal of Water and Wastewater; Ab va Fazilab (in persian)

Journal of Water and Wastewater; Ab va Fazilab (in persian)

Studying the Performance of Customers Meters and Analyzing the Parameters Affecting Their Measurement Accuracy Along with Policy-Making for Conducting Cluster Testing of Meters

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Shirzad Iranmehr 1
Ali Haftani 2
Mohammad Panahi Emam 3
Amir Taghipournia 4
Mojtaba Zare Zirak 4
1 In Charge Operation Expert, Water and Wastewater Company, District 3 of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
2 Master Student, Civil-Environmental Faculty, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
3 Deputy Director of Operation, Water and Wastewater Company, District 3 of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
4 Operation Expert, Water and Wastewater Company, District 3 of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
10.22093/wwj.2025.508207.3473
Abstract
The quantity and quality of customer meters, as measuring instruments of water sales, are important for water and wastewater companies and their customers. In this study, the performance of customer meters and the amount of their measurement error are comprehensively examined. While evaluating the accuracy of the meters, the effect of key parameters on the accuracy of the meters is investigated. For this purpose, 702 meter tests were performed at the customers level of 3 reservoirs. Customer meters of different models and diameters were randomly selected. Tests were performed at 5 different flow rates from the startup flow rate to the maximum flow rate that can be withdrawn from the subscription. The effects of parameters such as meter diameter, meter age, meter operating rate, pressure, and startup flow rate at the 5 tested flow rates were evaluated. A reference meter was used to compare the accuracy of meters at different flow rates. For each meter, a data set was created and a statistical analysis was performed by measuring the pressure at the measurement site and calculating the accuracy of the meter at different flow rates in comparison with the reference meter. The results show that 17% of the meters have an error in the range of ±2%, 57% in the range of ±5%, and 6% of the meters are completely damaged. The error rate of the meter depends on the meter model and its manufacturer, so that 7 different meter models have shown completely different error ranges. Additionally, linear correlations between the error at different test flow rates and the parameters under study confirm the effect of these parameters on the error rate. Finally, recommendations are provided to water network management officials for optimal management of customer meters based on the analyses performed.
Keywords
Water Distribution Network, Water Connection, Water Loss, Apparent Loss, Customers Meters, Cluster Testing
Subjects
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Journal of Water and Wastewater; Ab va Fazilab (in persian)
Volume 36, Issue 1 - Serial Number 156
March and April 2025
Pages 97-113