태평양 연구소가 출판한 새 기록 ‘need-to-know’에 따르면, 수도계량기는 효과적인 물 관리에 필수적인 요소로 작용하는데, 특히 캘리포니아와 미국 서부 지역에서 현재 진행 중인 가뭄 현상에 더욱 중요하다.

캘리포니아가 가뭄 기간 동안 수자원 관리와 물 사용에 더욱 신경을 쓰면서, 수도계량기는 점점 정밀조사 요구를 맞게 됐다. 수도계량기는 대부분의 캘리포니아 지역에서 수십 년 동안 사용되어 왔으나, 아직 보편화되지는 않았다.

 

 

Water metering essential to effective water management amid drought, study finds
   
Findings from a newly-released, "need-to-know" factsheet published by the Pacific Institute indicate that water meters serve as an essential element of effective water management, particularly amid the ongoing drought in California and the western regions of the United States.

 

As more Californians take a closer look at the use and management of water resources during the drought, water meters have come under increased scrutiny. Water meters have been in use for decades in most California communities, but they are not yet universal; more than 219,000 urban water connections in the state remain unmetered.

 

"Metering is an essential tool for water management, and expanding and improving metering should be a priority for all California utilities," said Kristina Donnelly, lead author of the study. "While the water savings from metering all connections in California will not create large volumes of water statewide, they can produce considerable local water savings."

 

Water meters, coupled with effective pricing structures, send a price signal to customers to reduce excessive or wasteful use. Metering in California finds that metering, and charging customers based on those meters, reduces water use by 15 to 20 percent.

 

Additional water savings are made possible by improving management of the water system, including identifying and repairing leaks in the water system. Moreover, metering provides customers with information about their water use, enabling them to make more informed decisions

 

[출처 = Water World / 2014년 9월 24일]