Milling Water Billing Data to Explore Outdoor Water Use during Different Weather Conditions

摘要

Mining water billing data allows utilities to stratify their customers based on amount of water consumed and provide insights on customers' usage patterns and changes in behavior in response to external factors. In this study, the mean monthly summer water use of about 15,000 single family residential customers was mined to explore how their behavior changes with respect to changes in weather conditions, especially during a drought year. It was found that customers significantly increase their outdoor water use in an effort to protect their landscape, but would revert back to their pre-drought usage once the drought is over. Further, educating customers on water conservation practices and sprinkler adjustment, based on weather conditions, can help in reducing water consumption.