What is the Solution?

There are only two options to conserve a groundwater reservoir:

1) by recharging it, or

2) by managing the water exploitation from it.

In the last decade, climate change has limited precipitation, which has resulted in a very slow recharge of aquifers. In fact, the discharge rates for many aquifers are currently faster than their recharge rates. In some developed countries, anthropogenic processes are being employed to implement artificial recharge. The high level of complexity, the risk of aquifer contamination and the need for strong financial resources make artificial recharge a convoluted and questionable solution. These disadvantages leave the second option, i.e. management of exploitation, as the most practical and affordable solution.

The sustainable management of groundwater resources is currently at the center of attention for many international organizations and research groups around the world. All the reported studies confirm that the optimum utilization of these resources relies heavily on monitoring, analysis and control of water extraction.

SWM Inc. offers a comprehensive solution for the management of groundwater resources which is based on the application of a new class of water meters called Smart Electricity and Water Meter (SEWM). This type of a water meter is a smart digital device that comprises an electricity meter, a water meter and a control unit in a single package. This apparatus, which is designed for electro water pumps, can measure and register both the electricity consumed by the pump and the amount of water extracted out of the well or water source.

Where sustainable management of an aquifer shared between different water wells is of importance, the exploitation information of each well is measured and collected by a smart energy and water meter. The gathered information will then be transferred to a control center via a telecommunication network (GPRS/GSM) or alternative methods such as smart cards or Hand Held Units (HHUs).

In addition to reporting and billing, data collection and information processing happen in the control center to make appropriate decisions about the interruption or continuity of water withdrawal out of each well. The decision based on analysis of the collected data can be communicated to the SEWM installed on each well to interrupt or permit water extraction out of that well. All the data transmitted between the meters and the control center can be logged into standard formats and forwarded to any applicable software.

Considering all the environmental issues associated with a water metering device, cultural barriers, limited financial resources, human errors and risk of tampering, SWM’s comprehensive solution is believed to be the most efficient and affordable method of supervision in the effort to manage and conserve our groundwater reservoirs. SWM Inc. is dedicated to progress and stays on the edge of technology to accomplish its mission and contribute to the global push toward the conservation of groundwater resources.