Participate in Leak Detection Pilot Study

For Immediate Release: August 5, 2019
Contact: Allen Smith, Public Works Maintenance Manager, (650) 286-3546, asmith@fostercity.org   

 


Save water and money! The City is extending its search for participants in a Leak Detection Pilot Study conducted by WaterNow Alliance, a nonprofit organization focused on advancing sustainable water solutions, and funded by the San Mateo County Office of Sustainability. The study seeks to characterize the typical water savings resulting from the use of a next-generation leak detection device, both from leak detection and water conservation behavior. Foster City residents selected to participate in the 1-year study beginning in Summer 2019 will receive a free leak detection device for their home, which can help identify water-saving opportunities to lower water bills. Participants can conveniently track real-time water use, receive leak alerts, and even shut off water use completely in their home, all through their mobile device.  When the study concludes, participants can keep the device and will have access to the manufacturer’s customer service support, free of charge. 

To be selected for the study, applicants must:

  • Have an active water account with the City of Foster City;
  • Have no past due bills;
  • Live in a single-family house and be an active water customer for at least three years; and
  • Have a smart phone or tablet with iOS 8 or later, or Android 4.4 or later.

Installation minimum qualifications:

  • A minimum of 6” of the water supply line must be above ground and accessible near or in your home.
  • The point of installation must be above ground and in a location that will never be under water.
  • Water supply pipes must be 2” or smaller in diameter and cannot be galvanized, severely corroded or rusted.
  • The household must have an accessible WiFi network.

The leak detection devices used in this study, Buoy and Flo, monitor water flow to the home and use advanced algorithms to learn household water use behavior. Alerts are sent to the customer if continuous or abnormal flow is detected, which may be an indication of a leak. These next-generation leak detection devices also encourage conservation by providing real-time water consumption data to customers – raising water use awareness and allowing customers to make more informed decisions about how they use water.

Applications will be accepted until the study is filled. However, devices are limited, so apply today! For more information or to apply, visit: bit.ly/LeakDetectionPilotStudy. Other participating cities include: City of Santa Clara, City of San Jose Municipal Water System, and the City of Burlingame.

For questions regarding the study, please contact Danielle McPherson, WaterNow Alliance Water Resource Specialist, at leaks@waternow.org. 

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