Smart connected water technology gives facilities stronger tools to protect water quality, reduce risks and control rising costs

BRAMPTON, ONT. — August 12, 2026 — Business costs across the board are rising, and water is no exception.

Even as water infrastructure ages, expectations for safe, reliable water remain. Commercial and institutional facilities are staying ahead of the concern by upgrading their approach to water management with connected backflow prevention technology. Designed to protect potable water systems while providing real-time insights into pressure, flow and discharge events, smart connected backflow solutions represent a new standard in proactive water control.

“Smart connected backflow prevention gives facility teams clarity and control they simply didn’t have before,” said Emily Simpson, Director of General Sales and Marketing at Zurn Elkay Canada. “By combining real‑time monitoring with predictive insights, organizations can protect their water systems, reduce operating risk and make smarter decisions before a small issue becomes a costly disruption.”

Traditional backflow preventers play a critical role in protecting drinking water, but most still rely on periodic, manual inspection. Without continuous monitoring, facilities remain exposed to unexpected relief valve discharge, flooding, service interruptions and costly emergency response. Smart connected backflow prevention closes this gap by enabling 24/7 remote visibility, data‑driven decision‑making and predictive maintenance across the entire water system. This can be a game changer across several sectors:

• Airports: With a vast footprint, high passenger volumes and mission‑critical expectations for safety and reliability, airports are among the most water‑intensive commercial facilities. Remote monitoring of water systems results in reduced risk of flooding, fewer disruptions to restrooms and concessions and a more reliable passenger experience, while meeting sustainability objectives.
• Hospitals: Precise water pressure and quality support quality patient care, specialized medical equipment and infection control. With round‑the‑clock visibility across campuses and satellite locations, health systems can reduce risk, control operating costs and protect vulnerable populations.
• Schools: From elementary through high schools to post‑secondary campuses, educational facilities must balance tight budgets with safe, uninterrupted learning environments. Smart connected water systems prevent major flooding events and build better understanding of water usage, saving dollars that can be redirected back to students.
• Retail Stores and Shopping Centres: Retailers rely on uninterrupted operations to serve customers and protect inventory. Even a single flooding event can result in weeks of closure and lost revenue. A smart connected water system gives retailers real‑time alerts and remote visibility to help prevent damage and keep locations open for business.

Smart connected backflow prevention extends smart building technology to the water system, delivering insights that were previously unavailable. Through pressure and flow monitoring, maintenance crews gain the ability to:

• Detect leaks and abnormal discharge events in real time.
• Understand daily and long‑term water consumption trends.
• Identify pressure fluctuations that affect equipment performance.
• Reduce flood risk, downtime and catastrophic property damage.
• Support sustainability and water stewardship goals.

Instead of reacting to failures, facility owners and managers can now predict and prevent issues before they escalate, protecting both infrastructure and occupants.