- The implementation of the new pilot system will begin this month and will be free for the user
- Among other advantages, remote meter reading will allow subscribers to know their consumption at all times and receive notifications in case of leaks or excessive consumption.
The Onda City Council and FACSA, the company that manages the town's public drinking water supply, will begin installing new smart meters this month in the IES Serra d'Espadà and Era Blanca sectors of the municipality, an area bordered by Avenida Constitución, Avenida Serra d'Espadà, Avenida Montanejos, and Avenida L'Alcora. The Mayor of Onda, Ximo Huguet, explained during a press conference, accompanied by the Head of Service for FACSA's Water Supply Area, Ignacio Aparici, that "this new type of meter will allow for more sustainable water use and will also result in cost savings for the residents of Onda, since, for example, this smart system will alert them to potential water leaks. In this way, Onda is becoming a smart city that uses resources more efficiently.".
As this is a pilot program, the replacement of conventional meters with this new remote reading system will be free for users. The work will be carried out gradually over approximately four months, and 1,120 remote reading devices will be installed. This area was chosen because it includes all types of water meters serving Onda, whether installed in a battery (35%), on building facades (61%), or on the ground (4%).
The remote meter reading system will allow, among other things, meter readings to be taken without accessing homes, thus avoiding unnecessary inconvenience for customers. Similarly, estimated consumption will be eliminated for customers whose meters are located inside their homes. Users will also be able to monitor their actual consumption at any time, and the service, through meter analysis, will be able to send notifications if a potential leak or excessive consumption is detected. This measure will reduce water losses, resulting in lower bills.
Similarly, personalized alarm subscription services will be implemented in the near future, sending automatic messages to the mobile phones indicated by subscribers regarding consumption on specific dates, exceeding a predetermined consumption limit, etc. Ximo Huguet stated that "with these actions we want to improve the quality of life of all residents of Onda and allow them to benefit from the advantages offered by this type of technology.".
Users will have access to their bills and consumption data virtually through FACSA's online portal (eOficina) (https://facsa-eoficina.grupogimeno.com), the new smartphone app (http://www.app-eoficinafacsa.com), or the dedicated website for the municipality of Onda (http://www.facsa.com/onda). In addition to direct access to the online portal, users can obtain the most relevant service information, such as updated rates, water quality analyses, regulations, and more. This way, users will gain a comprehensive overview of their contracts and can conveniently, quickly, and easily manage any aspect of their water service 24/7, without having to travel or wait.
Ximo Huguet concluded by saying, “With this initiative, both the Onda City Council and FACSA aim to be at the forefront of technology in the increasingly demanding field of drinking water management. We will be closely monitoring the results of the pilot test to continue implementing this type of meter throughout the rest of the town.”.
