Nebula Meter
The Meter Of The Future
Platform

The Nebula Management Platform

 

The customer service screen is accessed through a standard web interface. There is no special software or hardware required. The interface is designed to have different screens accessed by various personnel. This allows the various departments to access the appropriate levels of information.


As pictured below, there is a vast amount of information displayed for the operator. There is a main screen that displays the meter number, the customer information, operating pentameters such as communications, GPS location and Google map picture, water pressure, water temperature and usage data. There are also subsequent screens to display more detailed water usage data along with a history of various alerts notices. The interface also includes the ability to just click on the Valve Icon and turn the water On, Off or to a Life Safety level. The Life Safety level is designed to allow for minimal water usage only due to factors such as non-payment of a bill. The data collected by the Nebula meter is transmitted to the water provider's current billing system in a designated format. The reporting frequency is fully adjustable so as to not interrupt an existing billing system. Usage data is stored in the meter memory should a communications outage occur and then transmitted once communications are re-established The ability to control the meter valve remotely allows for a better business operating model If a customer is moving they only need to call customer service who can then take a reading and turn off the water service remotely This saves the cost of sending a technician to read and turn off the meter. The same occurs when a new resident needs service, they just call and customer service turns on the meter and has a starting reading. Again, another savings by not having a service trip.

 

  • Various sets of programmable alerts
  • Scheduled or daily reporting of water consumption
  • Remote control of meter master valve providing ON, Life Safety or OFF positions
  • Automatically transmits alerts upon deviation of specific preset parameters
  • User interface is as simple as logging onto a web interface
  • Various levels of user screen interfaces for various departments
  • No proprietary software or hardware to purchase
  • No expensive capital costs to incur.
  • The access and control of the Nebula Meter is through a user friendly web-based interface.
  • Easy API integration to exiting utility billing systems being used today
  • Screens can easily be customized so that different departments have access and or control of different functions. No proprietary software, just a simple web-based screen.
The access and control of the Nebula Meter is through a user friendly web-based interface.
Screens can easily be customized so that different departments have access and or control of different functions. No proprietary software, just a simple web-based screen. 
How else can the Nebula Meter help water departments become more efficient
The information provided by the Nebula meter forms the web of information that can improve the operations of the water system. An example is the matrix of water pressure at each user location. This can allow the system operator to receive alerts when pressures vary beyond established levels. These alerts can allow the system operator to proactively respond to service needs before they start receiving service calls. Or worst, see a gusher of water shooting in the air on the 10pm news.

Most water utilities have a system loss that they usually don't like to talk about. This loss is water that is not billed for and hence there are no revenues for the loss. Even worse is that the cost of that lost water is actually paid for by users of the balance of the calculated water amount. Cities can have loss rates as much as 13-16%. Reducing the loss percentage means the real users can have lower water bills and the entire system can run more efficiently.  Just imagine the excitement of the Mayor announcing that water rates were going down the coming year.

And all because of the installation of the Nebula meters helped create a better system.