Östhammarshem
osthammarshem.se30.10.2023
With one of the lowest levels of water consumption in the country, it would be easy for Östhammarshem, a public housing company in Sweden, to rest on their laurels. However, they're determined to do even better with the help of Smartvatten.
Torgny Gille from Östhammarshem says, "Now we can see consumption at a detailed level and react immediately when leaks occur."
Östhammarshem is part of the Public Housing Climate Initiative, aiming to be fossil-free by 2030 and reduce energy consumption by 30% from 2007. They have actively worked on water conservation, with a goal of saving 3-6% of their water consumption annually. Situated in an archipelago municipality, they understand the importance of preserving groundwater.
Despite having one of the lowest water consumption rates in the country, Östhammarshem connected with Smartvatten to further their efforts. They began by installing Smartvatten's solution in a few properties, where they immediately detected leaks in toilet fixtures and took swift action to rectify them.
Fixing these small leaks saves the company almost 5000 € per year, funds that can now benefit their tenants instead. The aggregate savings are significant, especially for a foundation committed to serving its tenants while avoiding rent increases due to rising operating costs.
Previously, water meters were manually read, with figures transcribed from paper to a computer. Smartvatten's solution now digitizes data collection and presents it alongside other key metrics, providing a more comprehensive overview. This not only benefits the company but also improves the working environment for property managers who no longer need to spend half a day reading water meters.
Torgny is highly satisfied with Smartvatten's product and looks forward to connecting all their properties. The real-time data helps them detect even the slightest changes at a detailed level, providing an accurate picture of water consumption. The system also issues alerts in case of anomalies, enabling them to prioritize actions and investments effectively.
Currently, Östhammarshem is connecting ten properties, including seven residential buildings, two eldercare facilities, and one commercial property, to test the service for a year. If they decide to implement Smartvatten's solution in all their properties, it will encompass around 2000 units, including eldercare facilities.
Water conservation is an ongoing process that requires continuous maintenance and monitoring. Effective monitoring is crucial to maintaining control and staying on course. Östhammarshem understands the importance of staying proactive and becoming even better, and Smartvatten is a key piece of the puzzle to achieve their goals.
Smartvatten is excited about this collaboration. Marcus Lindvall, account manager at Smartvatten, says, "It's fantastic to help a customer that is already at the forefront of sustainability and water conservation. They truly lead the way in the industry, proving that there's always room for improvement. Even if it looks good on paper, it doesn't mean there are no issues. We look forward to our continued partnership toward an even more water-efficient society."
