Take water, add wireless technology and what do you get? Some pretty nifty applications. Applications that conserve water and alert you to water leaks at home.

The Motorola home monitoring system includes a device that will send you an email if it detects a water leak. Anyone who worries about freezing pipes in the winter may find this device handy.

And Wellspring Wireless announced that is will be using ZigBee to develop wireless monitoring devices for multi-tenant buildings.

These devices allow landlords to monitor usage by unit. Landlords will love these devices because they can install them under the guise of "water conservation" while giving them the opportunity to bill tenants as water usage increases over a set limit. The ends do justify the means, particularly out here in Southern California.