04 Jan Anfagua warns of the risks of a single technological model for the future of water metrology in Spain.

THE WATER METER ASSOCIATION ON ITS 35TH ANNIVERSARY – The water meter should be the core of measurement, and communication protocols should be diverse and open.

Anfagua, the National Association of Drinking Water Meter Manufacturers, is an organization comprised of water meter manufacturers. Its goal is to promote the accurate measurement of this resource by advocating for the best technologies and the use of appropriate equipment for each water metrology need. This has been the organization’s mission for the past 35 years, working in collaboration with operators and government administrations.

Technological advancements in the field of metrology have brought significant improvements to water management. These innovations have always been carefully considered by Anfagua, ensuring that the implementation of each new development is robust, technically functional, and reliable.

Currently, the water measurement sector is engaged in numerous projects related to the digitalization of the water cycle—a vast array of solutions that aim to transform how we capture, transport, and consume this resource, all in the interest of efficiency and sustainability for such a scarce and valuable commodity. Digitalization is an extraordinary tool that enables us to make the best decisions based on different water uses and consumption patterns; in this regard, water meters play a crucial role.

As water meters are gradually upgraded, they are increasingly incorporating advanced remote reading systems (it is estimated that nearly 20% of the meters currently installed in Spain have this feature) and, in many cases, operate within an efficient Internet of Things (IoT) model. This enables operators to undertake projects aimed at automating processes.

We have a variety of solution models, both in terms of meter types and technologies, as well as communication systems and protocols. Each project can and should adopt the most appropriate solution based on the specific circumstances and the goals set by the water utility or municipal service implementing it. In this regard, at Anfagua, we believe it is valuable—and potentially insightful—to examine the experiences of water companies outside of Spain in order to compare different approaches and outcomes.

The widespread adoption of remote reading will represent a significant qualitative and quantitative leap in the management models of water companies, with highly impactful improvements in service efficiency. For this reason, Anfagua warns that in the coming months, important decisions will need to be made that require thorough analysis by the various water resource managers. To give an example, certain variables, such as water quality and hardness, demand specific technological solutions.

Designing and implementing a remote reading system involves making decisions not only about the water meter itself but also about other systems associated with the meter, such as the technical and economic selection of software and other closely interconnected variables. Therefore, it is a multifaceted and complex process, as within the same water service, there are often different customer realities, geographic profiles, and information needs. These factors often suggest the need for a variety of systems that, logically, must be perfectly integrated with one another.

Today, we have various systems and protocols used globally in the implementation of remote reading projects, which will undoubtedly continue to evolve. Internationally, over the past two years, different protocols have been applied without any one of them emerging as a dominant and clear standard over the others, as specific situations are the foundation for the best technical proposal. Each of these protocols has its own implementation architecture, with specific technical characteristics that entail diverse needs, with different stages of deployment and maturity. They also require particular demands for communication, meter management, remote reading systems, software, and so on.

However, in our country, we are witnessing the promotion of a specific solution model which, in Anfagua’s view, should not be considered the only one to implement. Rather, it should be understood as just one of the many technological options available, especially if adopting it means taking on the conditions associated with being an “early adopter.”

Anfagua believes that, just as we have always had a variety of water meter models, it is advisable to encourage competition and the coexistence of different communication systems. This ensures management alternatives, promotes diverse technological advancements, achieves competitive pricing, and avoids the potential drawbacks of poor risk diversification associated with supply concentration—especially in environments where material and component shortages (such as microchips and batteries) are a concern.

We face climatic scenarios that will be particularly challenging in our regions. The reduction of available water resources in our country, often leading to scarcity, presents us with the challenge of developing robust, reliable, and durable systems that provide highly accurate measurements of the water flows being managed. These systems must ensure proper communication and functionality throughout the lifespan of the equipment.

Metrology must be the foundation of water service management, and the quality of the water meter is key to obtaining accurate measurements. While data transmission is important, it makes no sense to transmit data if it is not of high quality. Information must always be verified by a high-precision measuring device.

Anfagua brings together international manufacturers with a significant global presence, producing millions of water meters annually and playing a major role worldwide. As such, this association has a broad perspective on the overall situation in the water and meter sectors. Therefore, we believe it is crucial to avoid situations where technical and commercial competition could become constrained by a hegemonic model. In the long run, this could lead to a singularity for the country in terms of technology types or implementation timelines compared to other markets.