Untitled DocumentUtilizing low-cost, high-res. water meter sensors and loggers to analyze domestic water demand
Macro Theme Area:
Integrated Modeling [Project ID: M20]
PI:
Gary Woodard
CO-PI(s):
N/A
Basin focus:
N/A
Specific area in
basin /
field sites:
Elgin/Sonoita region of SE AZ; plans to extend to Upper San Pedro basin.
Summary/Goals: Low cost flowmeter/datalogger system have been developed through hardware and software development. The loggers are being field-tested to analyze water demand in urban and low-density rural developments.
Activities and outcomes during past year:
A highly sensitive sensor for measuring water flow through water meters has been designed and built from basic components. An inexpensive, low-power, ruggedized data logger for continuous logging of meter data has been designed and built. Bench testing has been conducted, and user interface developed.
Plans for the upcoming year:
Complete firmware, circuit board design. Apply for patents on the sensor, the logger, and the meter logging application. Copyright the firmware. Do limited production run and extended field testing. Test logger with other open--closed switch instruments such as tipping bucket rain gauges, and with variable voltage output instruments, such as thermocouples.
Organization Involvement:
Funding development of hardware and software to use low-cost PDAs as high-resolution meter loggers for disaggregation of domestic water demand.
Shared Resources / Joint Activities:
Providing money for equipment, student wages, etc.
