Client Background

A New Zealand local council committed to the sustainable utilisation of natural resources launched an initiative to better understand and manage water usage for irrigation across its recreational parks.

The Challenge

The council faced a significant challenge in monitoring water consumption from boreholes used for park irrigation. Traditional analog water meters required manual readings, which were time-consuming, costly, and lacked real-time visibility. This limited the ability to proactively manage water schedules and detect anomalies in water flow.

Innovative Solution by Total Utilities

Total Utilities (TU) identified a borehole at Scott Street in Hobsonville Point, West Auckland, as an ideal site to pilot its Panoramic Power solution. The goal was to transform the existing analog water meter into a smart, connected device.

What made this solution unique:

• The existing water meter was equipped with a KY pulse output, which TU leveraged to connect its Gateway/Bridge unit.
• This integration enabled real-time data capture and visualisation on TU’s PowerRadar dashboard, displaying:
  • Volume (m³)
  • Flow rate (m³/h)

Implementation

The installation was carried out by TU’s internal team and took just 2 hours to complete and commission. This rapid deployment demonstrated the simplicity and efficiency of the Panoramic Power solution.

Results

• The council gained remote, real-time visibility into water usage.
• The need for manual meter readings was eliminated, saving both time and operational costs.
• The system provided automated alerts for anomalies, such as:
  • Unexpected water flow outside scheduled pumping times.
  • Sudden stoppages indicating potential faults.

Impact

With accurate and timely data now at their fingertips, the council can:

• Optimise irrigation schedules based on actual usage.
• Respond quickly to issues, reducing water waste and improving resource management.
• Enhance sustainability efforts by making data-driven decisions.

How Total Utilities Can Help Your Business

Our expert team can help you unlock significant energy savings with a short-term return on investment (ROI). Typically, we can identify up to 25% savings with an ROI of less than 2 years.

We achieve this by conducting a comprehensive site-wide energy audit (Type 1), examining everything from lighting and HVAC systems to chillers, boilers, refrigeration and other energy-intensive systems. Additionally, we install Panoramic Power our non-intrusive energy intelligence system, providing real-time device-level energy data visibility. For more information check out a brief overview of our service here.

Ready to start saving? Contact us today to schedule your energy audit and begin your journey towards greater efficiency and cost savings!