New Data Report by Smartvatten Reveals Over 50% of Residential Buildings Experience Monthly Leaks
The Smart Building Collective is proud to support our partner Smartvatten, a leading provider of water data, in releasing their third annual water report. This comprehensive analysis is based on Smartvatten's extensive database, which includes data from 20,000 buildings and 200,000 apartments across 36 countries. The report highlights the significant challenge of water leaks in both residential and commercial buildings, underscoring the critical importance of water management in 2024.
Key Findings:
Prevalence of Leaks: Nearly 52% of residential buildings managed by Smartvatten clients experienced at least one leak per month in 2023. In commercial buildings, one-third faced monthly leaks, which were on average 3.4 times larger than those in residential properties.
Economic Impact: These leaks potentially lead to hundreds of thousands of euros in extra costs for property owners annually. With rising water prices, extreme weather conditions, and new EU regulations, understanding water usage is more crucial than ever.
Rising Water Prices: The report shows water prices have increased by 3% to 8%, and in some European regions by over 20%. This upward trend is attributed to factors such as water scarcity and aging infrastructure, posing significant challenges for both households and water utilities.
Challenges and Solutions:
Infrastructure Issues: Factors like outdated infrastructure, corrosion, improper installation, and environmental influences such as temperature fluctuations and soil movement contribute to the weakening of pipes and fixtures, leading to leaks.
Regulatory Pressures: New EU regulations, including the EU Taxonomy and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), emphasize the need for efficient water management. These frameworks aim to promote sustainable economic activities and require detailed reporting on sustainability, with water management being a key area.
Smartvatten’s Expertise:
Innovative Monitoring: The report stresses the importance of a consistent and reliable database for effective water management. Many building managers struggle with poor data quality and various measurement systems. Intelligent, remote-read, and water meter-independent consumption monitoring is crucial for accurate water usage insights.
Energy Consumption: Buildings account for approximately 40% of energy consumption in the EU, with water-related activities consuming 12% of total electricity generation. Addressing water usage in real estate is vital for mitigating water scarcity and reducing energy consumption.
Practical Implications:
Cost Savings: Detecting and preventing leaks can lead to significant cost savings for consumers already dealing with rising living costs and inflation. For instance, a small unnoticed leak in an apartment could increase monthly costs by over 15%.
Commercial Impact: While leaks are less frequent in commercial properties, the water loss per leak is significantly higher, making early detection and prevention even more critical.
The Smart Building Collective encourages property owners and investors to take proactive steps in leak detection and water management. Early intervention can prevent damage to aging pipelines and properties, potentially saving substantial repair costs.
Read the full Water Annual Report here
Get in touch with Smartvatten Directly:
Paco Martina, Growth Marketing Manager Benelux, Smartvatten
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