Adapting plumbing for a global water crisis

According to Zurn Canada, clean water shortages are a global crisis, and the average Canadian uses approximately 250 litres of water per day through flushing toilets, showering, drinking and cleaning, but according to a 2018 study, this makes up less than 15 per cent of Canada’s water usage; industrial properties and public facility plumbing accounts for more of the used water.

Thousands of litres of clean water are wasted annually because of leaks and floods. New plumbing technology “helps optimize building maintenance, making buildings more water efficient and keeping catastrophe at bay.”

“By monitoring in real time, the Zurn Canada’s PlumbSMART system can pinpoint where water is being used and wasted, and reported straight to your phone or computer,” said Adam Findlay, Digital Sales Manager, Zurn Canada. “Smart plumbing removes the guess work.”

PlumbSMART monitors water usage; detecting leaks, floods and blocks, reporting back to building maintenance and building owners in real time. These analytics help predict the lifespan of parts, and alerting the right people to prepare for repairs before it becomes a problem.

A dripping faucet, clogged and overflowing toilets, outdated plumbing equipment, and buildings with a limited or no occupancy due to COVID-19 can cause problems. Standing water in pipes can breed harmful bacteria like Listeria, or small leaks can turn into big problems.

“The expense goes beyond water bills,” said Findlay. “Companies have to pay building maintenance to do the monitoring in person, ultimately leaving many issues unseen and victim to human error. A connected plumbing system identifies potential issues early, helping avert disaster.”