Water Metering in a 111 Unit Apartment Complex

WATER METERINGin a 111 Unit Apartment

Complex

-Sridhar B.

As presented in “The Water Workshop for Apartment Communities”, organized by ApartmentADDA.com

INTRODUCTION

Ashoka windowsApartment of 111 flatsWith all amenities like gym,party hall, swimming pool etc

COMMITTEEWe are committee of 13 membersEach member has their own departmentDepartment includes security,HK,generator,

lift etcWe meet every week to update the status of each department

NEEDCHALLENGESSTUDYAPPROVALPLANNINGIMPLEMENTATIONMAINTENANCE

NEEDCost reduction on maintenanceExamined the major expense factor70% of total expense was towards waterExplored various ways to reduce costNever worked around less than 65%Needed a means to measure water usage

CHALLENGESLogical

To convince people the need of water usage measuring system

Collecting the money towards itTechnical

Which kind of system to installWhether the system will be foolproofIndividual flat usage to be recordedHow to re-lay the existing plumbing system

STUDYVisited several apartments and decided to go for water

metering systemDue to building architecture ended up with three meters

per flatInstallation cost and maintenance overheadDid a detailed study and came down to one meter per flatHow to improve the life of metersovercoming water hammer effect increases lifeUsage of Y strainersUsage of u tube principleCost per flat calculatedReturn on investment(ROI)

U TUBE Implementation

APPROVALCalled for an SGBMDetailed the needs and the study conducted

All the existing GI pipes will be replacedImproved water flow to every floorsEach flat owner will be responsible for their own

usageWater disruption will be one day in one line per flatDisconnecting the water to maintenance

defaulters becomes easyWithin 20 months of operation the investment can

be taken back

PLANNINGEstimated the materials needed for all flatsExplored different quotations for the materials to

be usedNegotiated with different vendors for quotesPrepared a schedule for the entire apartmentSketch showing how the pipes to be laidPlanned to protect the meters physically from rain

and sunsPlanned to handle the water disruption during the

processPlanned to charge the residents for their usage

PRECAUTIONSMoney

Whenever we reach a collection of 3L we FD the amount for 7 days with auto renewal

This will yield us interest as well safety to the money collected

RiskRisk of life in involved in this implementationWe insured the plumber working with usProvided helmet for his safety

IMPLEMENTATIONStarted one section as prototype.One week time for residents feedbackAfter consolidating the feedback, started the

full phase.Had an xls to monitor the daily usage of

materialsInformed water disruption to the respective

flats everyday before starting the work.Guided the plumber to do as per the drawingContinuously monitored the progress

IMPLEMENTATION continuedAll pipes were laid 6” above the terrace floor

to allow rain water to drainProvided support to all the pipes with bricksConstructed a chamber for all meters to

safeguard them

MAINTENANCEWe have 4 spare meters in case any meter

malfunctionsRecorded the meter readings for one monthCalculated the unit price per litreArrived at an average usage per flat per

monthA tariff has created being the average as pivotFlats usage crossing this pivot will be charged

double the unit price

MAINTENANCE continuedMeter reading will be recorded every 15 daysEvery month bills will be generated on the

actual usage per month + base costBase cost includes expenses for other

operations like security, house keeping, AMC’s etc.

Bills will be dropped in all mail boxes before 1st of every month

The maintenance should be paid before 5th of every month

THANKS