WP 1: Infrastructure to assess domestic water meters under dynamic load changes

This work package deals with the development of the essential metrological infrastructure and protocols required to assess the performance of domestic water meters under a dynamic test regime in future instead of the current stationary one. Depending on the variability in consumer behaviour one or more pre‑normative reference load profiles will be derived which will serve as input for the assessment of water meters under the novel test regime. Information about the representativeness of these profiles regarding region, season etc. will be provided. One additional result will be recommendations for the time‑resolved monitoring of consumption profiles. Test rigs operated with dynamic load changes based on different principles will be realised and a comprehensive inter‑comparison of the rigs and rigorous uncertainty assessment of the systems carried out. The rigs will meet at minimum the specifications of OIML R49 for the different applications for water meters given there.

WP 2: Metrology to assess the performance of domestic water meters under realistic operation conditions

The aim of this work package is to develop metrologically sound procedures to assess the performance of domestic water meters under real-world operation conditions. This will include adapting of test facilities testing different water quality (pH, hardness, particles, etc.) and determination of the related uncertainties. The focus will be on operation conditions commonly encountered in Europe which will be determined as part of the project.

The progress in the manufacturing of water meters on the one hand and the higher expectations on meter performance on the other hand require a reassessment of the influence of potentially adverse conditions and their effect on measurement uncertainties. Based on the analysis of historic and recent surveys, sampling results as well as on a broad range of dedicated experiments, the project will provide a concise data bank of typical conditions regarding water hardness, pH, suspended particles encountered at consumers’ “doorstep”, effects and observed impact on the performance of domestic water meters commonly deployed in Europe. It will enable to identify systematics and to determine order of magnitude of effects.

WP 3: Smart monitoring of small flow rates

This work package addresses the detection of small flow rates, in particular in relation to background leakage. A metrologically sound characterisation of background leakage as occurring in the real world will be carried out which is currently lacking. This will serve as basis for the development of algorithms for leak detection on the one hand and on the other hand for the derivation of criteria on the monitoring side which need to be fulfilled by device and acquisition system. Amongst others a hardware solution appropriate for leakage monitoring will be developed. For quality assurance algorithms and hardware performances will be tested against experimental leakage data to quantitatively assess the detection reliability of both.

WP 4: Virtual flow meter

This work package will deliver software which will enable to estimate the reliability of domestic water meter performance in the field. It will be a simulation tool to assess so‑to‑say the ‘state of health’ of a domestic water meter for given operation conditions and time. Models will be fitted to the experimental data. The virtual flow meter will be developed in such a way that it is extendable to further influencing factors or water meter types resp. ranges which are outside the focus of this project.