Patent ID: 10508966

Abstract:
A location (100) is including an installation (120) associated with a site (102). At the site (102) is a house. A water main (110) forms part of a water distribution network and is buried approximately 1 m below the surface (112) of a road. A ferrule (114) extends from an upper part of the water main pipe and is in fluid communication with a first portion (116) of a service pipe at depth of typically approximately 0.75 m and which extends from the water main (110) to underneath a pavement (118). An outside stop-tap or meter chamber (122) is provided below pavement (118) and includes a pilotable cover (124), which can be opened to provide access to the interior of the chamber (122). A first connector (126) is provided on an upstream side of the chamber and a second connector (128) is provided on a downstream side of the chamber. A stop-tap or stop-tap and meter assembly (130) is provided within the chamber and in fluidic communication with the first and second connectors. An insulating member (134), for example in the form of a piece of polystyrene, extends across the interior of the chamber (122) and acts to insulate the lower part of the chamber from the environment above. A temperature logging device (160) is located on the insulating member (134) and includes a first temperature sensor (162). Optionally the temperature logging device may also include a second temperature sensor (164). The temperature of a part of a water supply system between a water main (110) and the site is recorded as a function of time. The recorded temperature as a function of time is analysed to determine a property indicative of the water consumption at the site.