Smart water metering in Essex and Suffolk

UK water utility Essex & Suffolk Water partners with Hull-based Connexin to roll our smart metering as part of advanced metering infrastructure 

Connexin has already been awarded contracts to install smart water meters for both Yorkshire Water and Severn Trent Water, but says this new contract is the largest of its kind in the sector. It will install 164,000 Itron smart water meters in homes and businesses across Essex and Suffolk by the end of 2025, and 612,000 by 2030. The utility has committed to ensuring that all water meters in the region are smart by 2035, which means up to 1m premises. 

Photo by Jong Marshes

A wireless communications network for these connected premises will provide remote access to hourly water meter reading, making use more visible and helping customers to take more control of bills.  

This end-to-end meter-as-a-service solution is part of a wider trend known as the ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT), where household devices and appliances that connect to networks, enabling ease of access and control while also providing valuable data.  

The water utility will be able to remotely analyse reports from across network in real time, as Connexin’s low-powered, long-range LoRaWAN network infrastructure will enable communications with Temetra’s Head End System (HES). Data will be sent from smart water meters via the Connexin AMI network infrastructure. 

The network will also assist the water utility to identify and tackle household leaks, reducing wastage across the region – one of the most water-stressed in the country. The aim is to support regulator Ofwat’s per capita consumption (PCC) and leakage targets. 

Ofwat sets ‘Asset Management Periods’ (AMPs) to increase efficiency and service levels among water companies in England and Wales. The main objectives of AMP8, due to commence from 1 April 2025, are enhancing customer service, sustainability, resilience and efficiency. 

Gary Adams, Head of the Smart Transformation Programme at Essex & Suffolk Water, says: ‘Our partnership with Connexin is a cornerstone in supporting our smart meter rollout ambition in these regions and we are excited to bring their extensive knowledge and experience into our programme of work. 

‘We are passionate about the environment and our targets to reduce both consumption and leakage, creating a more water-efficient system for our customers. Our rollout of smart metering will support this and provide valuable insight in shaping how the industry can better understand where water is used, and make sure we’re looking after it for the future. 

‘We know that approximately 18% of our domestic customers have a leak at their property which has a direct impact on the value of their bill. Through this smart connectivity, we will be able to detect customer side leakage more precisely and quicker than before supporting our customers in keeping their bills as low as possible. The hourly data will also allow us to work with our customers to demonstrate how much water they are using and provide guidance on how to reduce it to help improve people’s lives and safeguard our environment.’  

Dan Preece, Vice President of Water and Utilities at Connexin, adds: ‘Securing the largest UK water metering contract is a commitment to the well-being of our communities and the conservation of our most precious resource. Together we are paving the way for a more connected, efficient, and responsible world – one drop at a time.’ 

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