Water Usage Spike Alert

S.C.O.R.E. → Safety → Security

Overview

Unexpected spikes in water usage can indicate leaks or excessive use, leading to higher bills and potential damage. This capability notifies residents immediately, allowing for prompt action to mitigate issues and conserve resources.

Benefits

• Early detection of leaks to prevent water damage and costly repairs
• Increased awareness of water usage patterns, promoting conservation
• Peace of mind for residents, knowing they will be alerted to unusual activity

Intent

This capability aims to monitor water usage in real-time and alert residents when usage exceeds a predefined threshold. The outcome is a faster response to potential issues, ultimately saving water and money.

Preconditions

• Water flow sensor installed and integrated with Home Assistant.
• Home Assistant configured to monitor water usage.
• User-defined thresholds for normal water usage established.
• Home Assistant installed and configured.
• Integration available and authenticated: Zigbee2MQTT.
• Device installed and reachable: RainMachine Version 2 (API 4.6.1).

Actors

• Homeowner receiving alerts
• Family members responding to notifications
• Property manager overseeing maintenance

Trigger

The capability is triggered when water usage exceeds the predefined threshold after a set time period.

Workflow Diagram

flowchart TD
    A[Water usage spike detected] -->|check| B{{Usage above threshold?}}
    B -->|Yes| C[Send notification to residents]
    C --> D[Residents respond to alert]
    B -->|No| E[Continue monitoring]

Workflow Description

1. Monitor Water Usage

The water flow sensor continuously tracks water usage and sends data to Home Assistant.

2. Evaluate Usage Data

Home Assistant checks the water usage against predefined thresholds at regular intervals.

3. Trigger Alert

If usage exceeds the threshold, an alert is generated and sent to the designated residents.

4. Residents Receive Notification

Residents receive an immediate notification via their preferred method (e.g., mobile app, email).

5. Take Action

Residents can assess the situation, potentially check for leaks or excessive use, and take necessary actions.

Postconditions

Residents are alerted to the spike in water usage and can take appropriate actions to address the issue.

Optional Enhancements

• Integrate with smart valves to automatically shut off water in case of severe leaks
• Provide a historical overview of water usage trends for better management
• Implement a gamification feature to encourage water conservation among family members

Recommended Components

Source Examples

• Home Assistant (platform)