Guelph citizens encouraged to go with the flow
The average Canadian wastes 38,000 litres of water, a cost of about $150 per year, according to Ruth Casselman, COO and co-founder of Alert Labs. The Kitchener-based technology company, developed a new device called the Flowie, which reduces water intake by an average of 18 per cent, or about 30 litres per day.
The Flowie aspires to accomplish two missions:
- To avoid water damage
- Improve water conservation
The sensor can be installed without any tools or plumbing experience in less than two minutes. The device connects with a cellular app, alerting home owners when there is unusual water usage at their house. In an interview with The Ontarion, Casselman reinforced that, “Everybody can use [the Flowie], everyone can install it, everybody benefits from it.” The sensor provides real-time water use monitoring, sends alerts about high water usage caused by leaks, identifies inefficient plumbing fixtures, and helps reduce wasteful water use habits.Alert Labs began working with the Civic Accelerator program in Guelph last year to commercialize the Flowie in the region. Because of this partnership, the City of Guelph is providing citizens with a $100 rebate on the device. With this rebate, the Flowie costs $159, with an additional $5 monthly fee to support the alert system.
Mayor of Guelph Cam Guthrie said in a press release: “In Guelph, we take water conservation really seriously, and so any of these types of conservation methods that we can present to the citizens and businesses of Guelph really just helps us all.”
Currently, the Flowie works with over 20 municipalities in seven states and six provinces.
Photo courtesy of Alert Labs