Olea’s edge computing tech could help Texas ease the pressure of the drought
As the drought in Texas continues, water utilities are under pressure to find ways to conserve water and prevent shortages.
To help with this issue, an edge computing software provider for the water utility industry is stepping forward. Olea Edge Analytics is giving cities and counties affected by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s recent drought disaster declaration a risk-free 90-day trial of its solution.
“As a Texas company, we’re seeing first-hand the effects of this brutal drought across the state,” said Olea Edge Analytics CEO Dave Mackie. “We want to issue this as a call to action so that cities and counties can quickly address declining water levels. In a matter of weeks, utilities can identify the most critical performance problems, prioritize repairs and prevent the loss of millions of gallons of water.”
The solution takes advantage of AI-based edge computing technology to help utilities improve the performance of their water meters, which are vital for generating revenue, the company says. Olea’s system is designed to keep track of large industrial and commercial water meters, which may lose precision by 10% each year in typical scenarios. Meters are a critical component of modern utility management. They can account for 40-60% or more of a utility’s annual revenue in cities.
According to Olea, utilities can use the insights gained by the company’s technology to improve their largest revenue generators’ health and dramatically cut water loss. Utilities with at least 1,000 large meters (2 inches and larger) can gain greater insight into the performance of these assets.
For example, in a recent pilot program with the City of Irving, Olea’s technology quickly uncovered performance issues with 35 of 50 commercial meters tested, helping the city to avoid water waste and optimize billing. As a result, the City of Irving was able to reduce water loss and recover an estimated $160,000 in annual revenue.
“Olea’s technology has already made a significant impact for the City of Irving,” said Ashley Waits, a utility engineering manager for the City of Irving. “Our field crews were particularly impressed because they were able to identify problem meters quicker than our traditional testing schedule would.”
Because of the severity of the drought, Abbott issued a drought disaster declaration on July 8. The areas affected include Austin, Houston Fort Worth, and San Antonio, as well as 164 of Texas’ 254 counties. To help avoid water shortages, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality listed dozens of public water systems that are restricting water usage.
Analysis
Olea’s move to help out water utilities in Texas is a commendable one. The company’s technology can help these utilities save water and money, while also providing them with valuable insights into their operations. In addition, the company’s offer of a risk-free 90-day trial will allow these utilities to try out the solution without any financial risk. This is a great way for Olea to help these utilities during this difficult time.
Olea, on the other hand, may benefit from increased exposure and goodwill if its technology is able to help these utilities during the drought. This could lead to more business for the company in the future. Overall, this is a win-win situation for both Olea and the water utilities in Texas.
Article Topics
drought | edge AI | Olea Edge Analytics | utility | water
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