Smart Water Evolution: Badger Meter Enables Confidence in Operations with BlueEdge™

Badger Meter is a water technology innovator with more than a century of experience serving municipal, commercial and industrial customers worldwide. Since introducing the first frost-proof water meter in 1905, the Milwaukee, Wis., company has built upon this success and expanded its global network of manufacturing facilities, innovation centers, sales offices and warehouses to meet the changing needs of the water industry. Over this time, the company's solutions have grown to include water quality monitoring, pressure monitoring and analytics software—moving beyond the meter and driving further innovation.

BlueEdge™ is the complete Badger Meter portfolio in action: a transformative suite of solutions designed to drive visibility and optimization of assets. BlueEdge is a scalable, customizable offering of water technology, software and services that provides actionable data for proactive decision-making.

"We’re proud to drive innovation in the water sector with solutions that empower customers to effectively manage water resources now and for generations to come. By combining our expertise in flow monitoring technology with advanced software solutions, BlueEdge meets the evolving needs of modern water management practices," said Ken Bockhorst, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Badger Meter.

Key features of BlueEdge include:

• Measurement & Control: Precise measurement tools and advanced control capabilities ensure accurate monitoring and regulation of water use, so users can effectively manage resources and reduce non-revenue water loss.

• Connectivity & Communication: Cellular endpoints enable two-way communication to put data where and when you need it. Seamless integration with IoT devices and advanced communication protocols facilitate real-time data collection and transmission. Scalable options are designed to grow with you over time. Badger Meter has a decade of expertise in cellular AMI, with millions of devices deployed across the globe.

• Insights & Action: Powerful analytics and visualization tools provide data that empowers and enriches operations. Usage patterns, asset performance and system health information are updated automatically—accessible anywhere in the field or office to drive continuous improvement and response.

• Collaboration & Support: Our global water-focused team offers expertise, training and support.

"BlueEdge is more than a suite of products. It's a comprehensive, solution-driven approach to water management that drives innovation and sustainability, backed by water industry experts,” said Matt Stuyvenberg, Vice President of Software and Water Quality at Badger Meter. “Our unique approach delivers instant access to interval data, performance analytics and alerts, layered on top of related system information to inform and improve response times.”

With BlueEdge, achieving excellence in water management is possible. No matter the size of your operation or number of connections in your system, BlueEdge has a solution for your unique application. Among the common challenges BlueEdge can solve are:

• Distribution Network Monitoring
Our products, software and services for distribution network monitoring enable proactive resource management and early detection of incidents. BlueEdge offers tools to decrease water loss and improve customer confidence, all while keeping an eye on your bottom line.

For example, flow meters deliver robust usage data in near real-time. When viewed alongside pressure and temperature data, even greater value is unlocked. BlueEdge customers can also add in battery-powered, remote water quality monitoring for comprehensive system maintenance and control.

“Software upgrades have improved billing accuracy, better managed leaks and help monitor our systems closely for proactive management of our water supply on the island,” said Trino Pedraza, Executive Director, Public Works & Utilities for the City of Galveston, Texas. “Managing pressure and water quality in the distribution network has improved emergency response times and allowed [our] utility to be more proactive in managing water supply, even during extreme weather events. These measures will transform water management in the years to come.” 

• Environmental Monitoring
BlueEdge incorporates products and technology for environmental monitoring, designed to protect the quality of source water and limit pollution events. Sensors are deployable throughout the network to measure a variety of parameters, collect baseline data and deliver a deeper understanding of trends.

While the goal is early event detection and response, this data is not just critical in a crisis. It also provides value in day-to-day operations through decision-making based on real asset management data.    

"We have all this information available. Data is delivered in 15-minute intervals up to four times per day, compared with one read every two months with the previous system,” said Casey McCracken, Director of Information Technology for Augusta Water. “We're getting alerts for 24 hours of continuous usage for managing leaks. Data resolution is available at 1- or 0.1-gallon resolution. This technology helps us maximize efficiency.” 

• Drinking Water Treatment
Drinking water treatment has complex operational processes which demand the highest accuracy and reliability, in addition to long-term stability and low cost of ownership. BlueEdge has solutions to these challenges and can help customers meet increasing regulation requirements, protecting treatment assets and optimizing processes through predictive analytics.

“Real-time decision-making information [was key] to restoring the water supply and protecting the plant [following a contamination event]. The Badger Meter team was exceptionally helpful over the course of the project with custom algorithms and technical support,” said Steven Simpson, Head of Projects and Solutions with Aquatic Life Ltd.

• Customer Water Usage
Accurate and reliable water meters and flow monitoring technologies, coupled with powerful analytics software provide end-to-end solutions that generate revenue, conserve water and improve customer service. Analytics bring anomalies to light so you can act on pre-determined parameters or regional requirements.

As consumption history builds, customers can use trending patterns to forecast budgets and plan for equipment upgrades.

“The water meter is our cash register, so we want to make sure that meter is as accurate as it can be,” said Jason Wilson, Assistant Utilities Director for Salisbury-Rowan Utilities. “The hourly data has helped us identify leaks—such as running toilets and stuck valves—by comparing water usage to operations.”

BlueEdge: The Big Picture
Expertly crafted and tailorable to your needs, BlueEdge from Badger Meter is deployable at every point along your smart water journey. Solutions for wastewater, HVAC, industrial process and property operations are also available.

“As water industry experts, we are excited about the opportunity that BlueEdge brings, enabling our customers to be more efficient, resilient and sustainable in their operations,” Bockhorst said.

Badger Meter knows smart water. Together, we can protect the world’s most precious resource. 

Learn more at badgermeter.com/wwemUK or visit us during WWEM 2024, 9–10 Oct., in Birmingham, U.K.