D.1 INTRODUCTION

Precise, customer-specific demand profiles are used to generate valuable types of water use data. A demand profile consists of rate-of-flow data describing water use versus time. Such data are typically gathered directly from a utility customer s existing meter installation using specialized flow recorders that attach to meters and log water usage per unit of time. See Figs. D.1 and D.2.

Figure D.1: Data being captured from an existing meter. ( Source: F. S. Brainard and Company.)

Figure D.2: Data being captured from an existing meter. ( Source: F. S. Brainard and Company.)

Demand profiles generated from existing meters provide data essential for making a variety of critical decisions. Data logged from water meters is more accurate than other measures because a water meter represents the most precise way to measure actual water use. Flow recorders accomplish their mission without interrupting the accurate registration of the water meter and, typically, without altering the existing meter configuration. In a small number of cases, adapters are required but are easily installed.

Applications for customer demand profiles may be grouped into three general categories: (1) meter sizing and maintenance, (2) water use audits, and (3) cost of service studies. While only the first application is discussed in detail here, it is worth remembering that the same data gathered for meter sizing purposes has other important applications and can benefit a variety of utility divisions, including distribution, metering, conservation, customer service, engineering, and finance. In the case of water...