04 June 2018

Sensus' FlexNet base stations provide the comms links between the utility provider and its metering endpoints.

Arqiva and utility technology provider Sensus will build and operate fixed network infrastructure to facilitate the deployment of thousands of new smart water meters for Anglian Water.

As part of a three-year contract, Sensus’ FlexNet two-way communication solution will be used in both residential and non-residential properties to transmit hourly usage readings via Arqiva’s network back to Anglian Water.

The data will enable the firm to better understand water consumption, and to quickly identify unusual patterns of use that might indicate a burst or a leak.

It’s claimed this proactive method of identifying leaks means Anglian Water’s teams can get out and fix them sooner. 

The company installed around 10,000 new smart meters as part of a trial ahead of the network going live.

Customers taking part in the trial have online access to their consumption data, and will be given guidance and advice to minimise their water consumption. 

Arqiva says that at the end of February, there were around 11,000 meters installed with more than 99 per cent successfully connected to the network utilising the two-way communications functionality. 

It adds that this functionality enables Anglian Water to remotely reconfigure meters to deliver more frequent meter readings (every 15 minutes) to enable greater accuracy in identifying leakages. 

The Norwich trial follows a successful earlier project in Newmarket, Anglian Water’s so-called ‘Innovation Shop Window’.

Three of the key objectives here are to achieve 100 per cent customer satisfaction, ensure zero bursts or leakages, 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.