Assessment of Water Consumption Behavior in Single Households Using Smart Water Meters

Abstract

Abstract Smart water meters in households monitor hourly consumption patterns while mitigating the cost and inconvenience associated with traditional manual meters. This study comprehensively analyses 1871 households that previously used traditional manual water meters from the distribution point to the distribution area. All the households are equipped with smart water meters, and the collected data has been used for the analysis. According to the total estimated water consumption volume, 227 households were categorized as single households, further classified as single worker and nonworker households. The results indicate that single worker households peaked at 8:00, with 29 liters/h water consumption on weekdays. Consumption decreased during the day until late afternoon as households left for work. The consumption rate peaked again between 20:00 and 21:00 in the evening, averaging 32 liters/h. By contrast, in single nonworker households, the peak consumption was at 9:00 with 20 liters/h. No major changes in water consumption due to individual activities were observed throughout the afternoon. During evening times, the peak amount showed up between 19:00 and 20:00, with an average consumption of 19 liters/h. Moreover, worker single households peaked at 8:00 and 20:00 on weekdays, and at 9:00 and 19:00 on weekends. It was also revealed that worker households’ weekend water consumption was 10% more than on weekdays and 262% more between 13:00 and 16:00 hours.