Accuracy meter testing and forensic failure investigation
Data from water meters underpins almost all aspects of water management
Data can include abstraction, treatment, manging distribution and losses and revenue from household and non-household customers. It is therefore essential that meters are selected and deployed that give an appropriate level of accuracy for the application, and that factors that influence that accuracy, and how that can change over time, are properly understood.
In today’s world there are many technology types and models of meter to choose from – all with different characteristics – both positive and negative. Independent test data can help identify the most appropriate meter for an application.
Understanding why meters fail is also important in developing robust installation, replacement and maintenance policies.
WRc
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Independent testing can provide:
- Improved confidence in water balance and leakage figures
- Revenue maintenance
- Better and more demonstrable regulatory compliance
- Strong procurement decisions ensuring the most appropriate meters are selected
- An understanding of which meter can be best used where
- Confidence in a product or new technology
- Data to support appropriate and cost effective maintenance and replacement schedules
Inaccurate or poorly understood data from meters can lead to:
- Poor water balance figures for leakage calculations
- Lost revenue
- High costs to rectify inappropriately installed meters
- Poor procurement decisions
- Poor and inefficient process control
- Regulatory non-compliance
WRc meter testing services
WRc provides a wide range of meter testing services from basic metrological testing to more specialised testing to evaluate specific performance influences – including electrical, environmental and hydraulic. We can test many types of mechanical and electronic meters over a wide range of sizes (15mm – 300mm) and flowrates. We also test open channel flowmeters. In addition to our metrological test benches, we have specific facilities for carrying out accelerated aging tests, particulate testing and environmental testing. Where appropriate, testing is conducted in accordance with UK and International Standards.
Our experienced technicians are familiar with dismantling many types of meters and conducting failure analysis to understand why meters might be failing.
Testing and investigation expertise
Meter under-registration testing
Meter under-registration testing
To assess the performance of a company’s whole meter stock based on a sample of meters extracted from service.
Individual meter tests
Individual meter tests
Actioned in response to customer queries.
Conformance tests
Conformance tests
Testing to support procurement decisions.
Assurance tests
Assurance tests
To demonstrate that a meter will perform to specific requirements, often including testing beyond the requirements of common standards such as ISO4064.
Meter forensics
Meter forensics
Step by step dismantling of meters to identify reasons for failure.
Project and research examples
- We run our MUR (meter under-registration) club programme for the water industry under which large samples of meters taken from service are tested. The data from these tests then feeds into our MUR modelling software which provides each participant company with a company specific MUR figure for use in water balance calculations.
- We carry out customer meter tests from most UK water companies.
- We have evaluated novel closed pipe and open channel meter types being developed by suppliers, to investigate their behaviour under simulated real world conditions.
- We have worked with new entrants to the UK market to assess product suitability for UK conditions and applications.
- We have carried out accelerated aging tests to evaluate the long term reliability and accuracy of water meters to support procurement decisions.
- We have carried out various investigations to identify reasons for failure, either to improve installation practices or as independent experts in cases of dispute between suppliers and users.
Keep your assets performing at their best
Identify any issues with our professional inspection, testing and certification services to optimise performance.
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