WaterAideTM

Demonstration

Click here to view a full motion video of the software in use. When asked, "Would you like to open the file or save it to your computer" choose "Open". The video will open and begin playing.

Description

WaterAideTM1 is a comprehensive residential, commercial and industrial water audit software package. The WaterAideTM software can evaluate a broad range of water saving opportunities. For a residential customer, these include: Low-flow showerheads and aerators Repairing leaks Irrigation water savings, including xeriscaping, soil moisture sensors and other tactics New fixtures and appliances such as low-flush toilets and front-loading clothes washers Car washing, pool, and other water saving recommendations Low-cost and no-cost water-saving practices and behavioral changes

The commercial and industrial version of WaterAideTM includes all of the capabilities of the residential version, and features specific to common commercial systems, including analysis of water-saving opportunities for: Institutional kitchens Commercial laundries Car washes Cooling towers and water cooled AC systems Vacuum pumps Recommendations for some other water conservation practices for the film processing, textile and medical industries

Graphics

Below is an example of a chart that illustrates both savings and payback of recommended measures:

[1] WaterAide is a registered trademark of Energy New England, LLC

Interactive Viewing of Report

WaterAideTM produces a detailed report that explains water savings opportunities in plain English, with projects costs, savings and payback periods. The report can be interactively reviewed by the user and the customer, before being printed. Custom comments can be included specific to the needs and concerns of the customer. The report can also be customized according to the needs of a water conservation service program sponsor, to allow promotion of another water savings program, or to send any other kind of message to the customer. The report includes an introductory section, a brief list of recommendations, a series of detailed measure descriptions, graphics that illustrate savings and water use, comments from the advisor, and a conclusion. One of the detailed measure report pages is shown below, as it could be seen on-screen, and as it would appear in the report:

Input

Interactive inputs are made in a user-friendly GUI. This includes water rates, customer information and data specific to the water uses in the home or business being evaluated. System files supply information on cost and savings assumptions, water use data, canned comments and customized text for the report. Input files also include graphic icons as needed, and an automatic audit numbering and tracking protocol.

Graphical User-Interface

The WaterAideTM software features a graphical user-interface (GUI) for quick and easy data entry of information during a water audit. The user can interactively display options to the customer while running the software. Input dialog screens exist for the modeling of commercial and residential water use, and savings. The main data entry screen is shown below:

Savings, Cost and Total Water Use Calculations

WaterAideTM is a tool designed for retrofit, and allows quick and easy recommendation of water saving changes to an existing facility. Savings and cost calculations are made from standard engineering formulas and assumptions based on market prices and existing products and practices.  Assumptions can be changed within setup files to reflect price changes, new equipment availability, etc.  WaterAideTM allows for a full reconciliation of the customer’s water bill, showing where the end-uses are (including miscellaneous or non-standard uses, and customer conservation measures).

File Storage and Retrieval of Entire Water Audit

The WaterAideTM computer model of any facility is automatically saved, and can be retrieved at a later date for review. An extract of the audit results and customer information is also automatically saved for each water audit done. This data can be used for tracking and reporting purposes, and for review of water audit results.

Expertise Required

A basic knowledge of computers and water conservation is recommended. The GUI makes data inputs relatively simple and easy.

Software Currently in Use

WaterAideTM is currently used to deliver water conservation audits by Energy New England in the New England marketplace. Sponsors include towns that are concerned over water use, due to supply limitations, growth and environmental restrictions.

Computer Platform

WaterAideTM is written in Java. The minimum system requirements are a PC with a 100 MHz, Pentium II processor running Windows95 or later, and 34 MB of free hard disk space. System requirements are similar to those needed for using a Java run time on a PC. The Java Runtime is distributed with the software. WaterAideTM can run on Macintosh or Linux operating systems as well.

Strengths

Fast and easy to use Handles all common water uses Allows reconciliation of customer’s water bill, and custom water uses Customer-friendly Comprehensive set of water savings measures analyzed Reports generated are strong educational tools, with:      · in-depth descriptions of recommendations      · graphics that explain and illustrate results      · fully-customizable features (special messages and formatting changes can be done)

Contact

Donna Fitch Energy New England dfitch@energynewengland.com 508-698-1227

Availability

Price available from Energy New England upon request.