Determining the flow rate for choosing water meters of residential buildings with individual metering

Abstract The implementation of the individual measurement system requires the correct adjustment of the water meters. Thus, the determination of project flow rates is one of the premises for proper system performance. From this point of view, this article aims to compare the design flow values with the flow values obtained in apartments in operation. An investigation was carried out into 20 housing units, in which the flows were identified and their water consumption profiles and the actual flow distribution over time defined. We compared the flows calculated by the method proposed by Gonçalves (1986) in addition to the methods used in the Brazilian, Portuguese and European standards with the actual flows measured and indicated in a technical standard, using descriptive statistics techniques and using probabilistic data modeling. It was possible to verify that the values derived from the probabilistic method were the closest to the real measurements. It was concluded that the use of probabilistic method reduces the nominal flow of the chosen water meters, which can increase the accuracy and, consequently, the measured volume for the local utility. It also contributed to improve the procedures for assessing the design of water meters.