The Power of Interval Reads: Proactive Alerts for Cities and Citizens

After implementing Valiflo and upgrading to modern meters, Mark’s city had taken a huge step forward. But the biggest breakthrough was yet to come—interval meter reads. Instead of relying on monthly or bi-monthly readings, the new system collected data in frequent intervals, providing real-time insights into water usage. For Mark and his team, this meant a revolution in how they monitored and managed water resources.

How Interval Reads Transform Utility Management

Traditional meter reading methods left massive blind spots. If a leak started the day after a read, it could go undetected for weeks, wasting thousands of gallons of water. Interval reads changed that dynamic entirely:

• Real-Time Monitoring: With data streaming in every few hours, the city could see exactly how much water was being used and when.

• Immediate Issue Detection: Spikes in usage signaled potential leaks, broken pipes, or unauthorized consumption.

• Enhanced Billing Accuracy: Instead of estimating usage between long read cycles, bills were based on precise, up-to-date consumption.

Faster Leak Detection and Water Conservation

With interval reads in place, Mark’s team was able to spot and address leaks within hours instead of weeks. One morning, an alert flagged an unusual increase in water flow at a residential property. A quick investigation revealed a leak in their sprinkler system that would have cost the homeowner hundreds of dollars if left unnoticed. Thanks to Valiflo’s automated alerts, the city reached out to the resident, who promptly fixed the issue. Mark’s team was also able to show the homeowner how to setup access to the citizen portal, provided as part of Valiflo’s platform, and receive consumption alerts directly.

Beyond individual cases, interval reads empowered Mark’s city to take proactive steps in reducing overall water waste:

• Finding Silent Leaks: Small, continuous leaks that previously flew under the radar were now visible.

• Improving Infrastructure Planning: The data helped prioritize pipe replacements and maintenance based on actual wear and tear.

• Encouraging Smarter Water Use: Residents received alerts when their consumption spiked, helping them adjust habits before receiving an unexpectedly high bill.

Next Meters + Valiflo: A Winning Combination

This transformation was made possible through the partnership between Valiflo and Next Meters. Next Meters provided the cutting-edge metering technology, while Valiflo’s platform ensured seamless data collection, analysis, and alerting. Together, they created a system that not only improved operational efficiency but also enhanced community engagement.

Mark had always known that better data could lead to better decision-making, but seeing it in action was a game-changer. His team was no longer reacting to problems weeks after they occurred—they were preventing them before they escalated.

Next, Mark would focus on another critical aspect of utility management: enhancing citizen interactions through proactive communication and self-service tools. Stay tuned!