The commune tracks down every drop of water:
... 3,000 m³ of water saved in 6 months!
Drought has been intensifying in the region for several years, threatening both surface and deep water resources. The Réal river, fed in part by the Traconnade water table, has reached worrying levels in recent years, triggering the Prefecture to declare a "drought crisis". During such crises, residents and local authorities are asked to limit their water consumption in order to preserve local water resources as much as possible. To respond to these critical situations, which will become more frequent in the future, the commune is committed to rigorous management of its consumption. As a result, the two schools, the technical services building, the socio-cultural center and the Lou Pitchoun crèche were equipped with a remote meter reading system in January 2024.
Financed to 70% by the Conseil Départemental des Bouches-du-Rhône, this installation, carried out by the Hydrelis company, saved over 3 million liters of water (the equivalent of an Olympic swimming pool!) and over €11,000 in just six months.
The remote reading system and connected valves
Before the new system was installed, municipal meters were read once a year, making it difficult to detect leaks or abnormal consumption.
Thanks to remote reading, water consumption data is now available in real time, enabling greater responsiveness to reduce water wastage. The system is equipped with connected valves, offering the possibility of remotely shutting off water supplies in the event of a major leak.
The main advantages of this technology for our municipality are :
- Precise and immediate knowledge of water consumption in municipal buildings.
- Rapid detection of small leaks, such as abnormal consumption at weekends in schools.
- Real-time alerts as soon as predefined flow thresholds are exceeded.
- The ability to turn off the water remotely if a major leak is detected.
This information is centralized on a web platform accessible to municipal staff and elected representatives in charge of the environment. The system also sends SMS alerts for immediate reactivity.
A valuable tool for the future
This remote meter reading system is now an invaluable tool for preserving our resources, and the savings achieved in just six months demonstrate the system's effectiveness and its essential role in sustainable water management.
The commune remains committed to taking all necessary measures to meet this essential challenge: protecting our water!