Incheon City Expands Smart Remote Water Meter Reading System... Distribution Rate Reaches 37% by Year-End

Incheon Metropolitan City Waterworks Headquarters announced on the 2nd that it will expand the construction of an Internet of Things (IoT)-based smart remote water meter reading system to enhance citizen convenience and ensure the safety of water meter readers.

This system installs remote reading terminals that integrate IoT with digital water meters, which are electronic water meter reading devices, allowing water meters to be read remotely.

In response to lifestyle changes brought about by the COVID-19 era, the system provides non-face-to-face meter reading to improve citizen convenience and aims to prevent safety accidents that may occur when water meter readers inspect meters located in manholes and underground structures.

Additionally, it enables real-time measurement of water usage, which can be used to detect indoor leaks or analyze usage for water supply planning and policy development.

The smart remote reading terminals scheduled for installation this year will increase by 2.2 times compared to last year, reaching approximately 27,000 units, with a goal to distribute about 165,000 units, accounting for 37% of the total 441,000 installed water meters by the end of the year.

Incheon Metropolitan City Waterworks Headquarters

Furthermore, the city will actively replace digital water meters, a prerequisite for installing smart remote reading terminals.

Compared to conventional water meters, digital water meters are less prone to freezing damage. As a result of replacing old or malfunctioning meters, reports of freezing damage decreased by more than half compared to last year, saving approximately 54 million KRW in budget.

Kim In-su, head of the Incheon Metropolitan City Waterworks Headquarters, stated, "We will actively promote the project with the goal of establishing smart remote reading for all water meters."