Flume by SAWS (Howe: credit, new home, buy)

[elnina]

Anyone has installed Flume Water Leak Detector at their water meter?
The device is not to be permanently attached to prevent theft.
Most, if not all water meters here in Texas are installed on the front yard or sidewalks and therefore, easily accessible to anyone. It’s a public place.
The iron plate that covers the meter is often stolen by thugs that sell it for scaps. Therefore the device would be completely exposed and visible to anyone (SAWS water meter readers and anyone passing by, and people walk here quite often).
How did you resolved/prevented possible theft problem?
There must be other way than to slip a $200 device over a water meter without securing it to prevent theft.

[JH6]

how many criminals would think to look at your water meter in a buried enclosure in your front yard?

I guess you could wire tie it in place with a little lock if you want to go that route.

[Azure110]

Not all water meters are in the front. Mine is in the back alley and does have a heavy metal cover on it.

[DerpyDerp]

Mine was essentially free after the SAWS rebate, so I'm not too worried about losing it. It's been in my front yard since October and the only creatures (other than myself) that have seen it are bugs and worms.


It worked great for detecting a slow sprinkler leak.

[grjr]

Flume found a toilet leak at my house. It's in the front yard but I'm not worried about it being stolen. Its serial number is registered to me so it would have no value to anyone else. Not to mention that it wouldn't work anyway without the indoor link component that connects to my wifi.

[resonator]

I'm skeptical that the distance to the installation (in my case) and the metal cover will stop the required radio connection.
You don't get the saws bill credit until it is proven to be working.

[elnina]

Originally Posted by DerpyDerp

Mine was essentially free after the SAWS rebate, so I'm not too worried about losing it. It's been in my front yard since October and the only creatures (other than myself) that have seen it are bugs and worms.


It worked great for detecting a slow sprinkler leak.

That's what I am aiming for. However, not only you and the bugs are seeing it - the SAWS workers who read the meter every month see it too. And unfortunately, my meter is located directly ON the sidewalk in front of my house. The cover get stolen quite often. The device will be easily visible inside the meter hole. (Bright blue?)

Good to know that there is a serial number, thank you for the info, grjr!
I guess, you're right - without the indoor link component it wouldn't work. However, not every thief is computer savvy. Some might just think they could get a quick buck at the Pawn Shop. People who steal iron covers are obviously desperate for any money.

BTW: SAWS requires that one first buys the device, then send them copy of the receipt to get the rebate. First come, first serve basis.
How do I know that when I buy the device, I still will get the rebate? It supposed to be limited.
With the rebate it's something to me to consider having. Without the rebate, not so really. It cost too much and the theft possibility is still pretty high...

[Rustybolt]

I was one of the first SAWS customers to get one, but SAWS recently had to replace my meter because it was becoming impossible for the Flume to be calibrated properly. Flume actually contacted SAWS themselves and the next day SAWS was out to replace it. I think it is a great little device. My son just bought a new home and the Flume has detected that he has a slow leak somewhere (likely under the slab)...while that is unfortunate, he likely wouldn't have known so soon unless he had the Flume installed.

[elnina]

So, there is no problem with receiving the rebate from SAWS?

[txbullsfan]

I have one installed and love it! No issues what so ever with it. Great for being proactive in detecting a large (or small) leak in the house or my irrigation system before I get blasted with an extremely high unexpected water bill (or water damage in my home). Like CPS did with their "dumb" meters in installing smart meters, SAWS should re-installed their "dumb" meters with smart meters in every SAWS customers home. In the meantime, a consumer smart water meter is the way to go. I have a camera facing where my meter is installed at so any perps would be filmed trying to gank mine and evidence would be immediately turned into the police. I think most do not even know there are smart meters you can install over the water meter to keep track of leaks and usage so I think you and I are good, knock on wood. With the SAWS rebate, this meter costs like $50 so its really a no brainer on if one should get one or not.