Communications infrastructure and media services specialists Arqiva has completed an extension to its smart water metering fixed network trial for Anglian Water, one of the largest water companies in England and Wales.

Conducted in partnership with Sensus, a Xylem brand, the new trial network in Norwich is part of Anglian Water’s plans for a long-term smart metering programme, and uses the Sensus FlexNet® two-way communication fixed network solution across Arqiva’s dedicated network.

The two-way communications capability allows Anglian Water to remotely reconfigure meters to deliver more frequent meter readings (every 15 mins) for even more accurate identification of system leakage. Customers taking part in the trial will have online access to their consumption data, and will be given guidance and advice to minimise their water consumption.

In partnership with utility technology provider Sensus, the 3-year contract will see Arqiva build and operate the fixed network infrastructure to facilitate the deployment and operation of around 11,000 new smart water meters in and around Norwich.

Sensus smart water meters covering both residential and non-residential properties will transmit hourly usage readings via FlexNet, across the Arqiva network, back to Anglian Water. The data will enable Anglian Water to better understand customer water consumption, and to quickly identify unusual patterns of use that might indicate a burst or a leak.

Anglian Water installed around 10,000 new smart meters ahead of the network going live and remotely collected meter data and meter alarms are now being delivered every day.

At the end of February there were around 11,000 smart meters installed with over 99% successfully connected to the network utilising the 2-way communications functionality.  

The Norwich trial follows a successful earlier project in Newmarket, Anglian Water’s ‘Innovation Shop Window’ – where the company has tested and showcased its latest innovation projects, as it seeks to create the water company of the future.

Three of the key objectives of the Shop Window are to achieve 100 per cent customer satisfaction, ensure zero bursts or leakage and reduce water consumption to 80 litres per head, per day. The Newmarket trial demonstrated the contribution that fixed network smart water metering can make towards these goals.

Paul Glass, Anglian Water’s Programme Manager for the smart metering initiative, said:

“Anglian Water believes that our customers would benefit from smart water meters. Smart meter data will show customers not only how much they use compared to others like them, but will also show the customer when defects occur in their plumbing, such as a leak on the supply pipe or a leaky loo. This information will help customers save water and cut their water bill.

“The information would also help us to target leakage reduction on our network which, coupled with reduced demand from our customers, will help to conserve the finite water resources in an area of fast growth and changing climate.”

He added that Arqiva and Sensus had succeeded in creating a stable platform to generate data for customers in Newmarket- Anglian is confident that this success will be repeated for customers in its other trial in Norwich. The water company will use the information from the trials to discuss with a wider application of smart water meters with Ofwat.

Sean Weir, Director Smart M2M at Arqiva, said previous trials in other regions had clearly demonstrated the business value that a secure, reliable and resilient network with clear service levels can deliver. “The management of our water resources is critical and the Arqiva and Sensus partnership provides technology that can help water companies to gain much clearer insight into their own networks”, he said.