Apparatus and Method for Measuring Water Quality in a Water Distribution System

Abstract

A system for monitoring water quality in a water distribution system having a plurality of metering end points (E) for measuring consumption includes a plurality of chemical biological and environmental sensors (S 1, S 2 ) disposed in a distribution system near or within the distribution end points (A, B), with the sensors (S 1, S 2 ) generating electrical signals through a network (G) that can be processed and communicated to a collection station (D) from the metering end points (E).

1 . Apparatus for sensing water quality at a water distribution system end point, the apparatus comprising:
 a fluid flow metering element and a device that converts metering signals or movements of a flow metering element to electrical signals representing units of consumption;   communication interface circuitry for converting the electrical signals representing units of consumption to metering data signals;   means for electronically communicating the metering data signals to an external device; and   a sensor disposed in or near the fluid flow metering element to sense a quality of the water, said sensor producing a signal to the communication interface circuitry, which can be converted to data signals to accompany the metering data signals in a transmission to a collection station.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the means for communicating the metering data signals includes a data port for communicating metering data signals from the meter register device to an external transmitter. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the communication interface circuitry includes circuitry for producing radio frequency metering data signals and wherein the means for communicating the metering data signals to an external device includes an antenna for communicating the radio frequency metering data signals to an external device. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the quality of the water includes at least one of a chemical, biological or environmental parameter. 
   
   
       5 . A system for monitoring water quality in a water distribution system having a plurality of metering end points for measuring consumption, the system comprising:
 a plurality of chemical and biological sensors disposed in a distribution system near distribution end points, said sensors generating electrical signals that can be communicated to a collection station through the distribution end points.   
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein there are a plurality of sensors for different biological, chemical or environmental parameter that are distributed to respective distribution end points within a specified region of the water distribution network. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein there are no more than two sensors associated with each respective end point. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the distribution end point comprises a meter and wherein the at least one sensor is located in a distribution line in a vicinity of the meter. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the distribution end point is represented by a meter and wherein the at least one sensor is located within the meter. 
   
   
       10 . A method of monitoring water quality, the method comprising:
 distributing a plurality of parameter sensors within a distribution system near respective distribution end points, said sensors generating electrical signals that can be communicated to a collection station through the distribution end points.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein there are a plurality of sensors for different biological, chemical or environmental parameters that are distributed to different respective distribution end points within a specified region of the water distribution network. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein there are no more than two sensors associated with each respective end point. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the distribution end point comprises a meter and wherein the at least one sensor is located in a distribution line in a vicinity of the meter. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the distribution end point is represented by a meter and wherein the at least one sensor is located within the meter. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the distributing includes installing a plurality of chemical, biological and environmental sensors within a distribution system near respective distribution end points. 
   
   
       16 . A method for monitoring water quality in a water distribution system having a plurality of metering end points for measuring consumption, the method comprising:
 distributing a plurality of chemical parameter sensors disposed in a distribution system near zone meters, said sensors generating electrical signals that can be communicated to a collection station through transmitters associated with the zone meters.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the parameter sensors are for sensing chemical, biological and environmental parameters. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claims 16 , wherein distributing includes installing a plurality of parameter sensors within a distribution system near respective distribution end points. 
   
   
       19 . A system for monitoring water quality in a water distribution system having a plurality of metering end points for measuring consumption, the system comprising:
 a plurality of parameter sensors disposed in a distribution system near zone meters, said sensors generating electrical signals that can be communicated to a collection station through transmitters associated with the zone meters.   
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the parameter includes at least one of a chemical, biological or environmental parameter.