Smart meters can help put the plug in billions of litres of wasted water

The UK is facing an increasingly urgent challenge: how we protect and sustainably manage one of our most valuable natural resources – clean water – in the face of growing demand and mounting pressure on supply. Following the Government’s recent white paper on the future of the UK water industry, it’s clear that addressing water scarcity, leakage and efficiency is now firmly on the national agenda.

 

Responding to the announcement, Ben Etherington, Commercial Director (Water) at Calisen, welcomed the Government’s focus on long-term solutions to the UK’s water crisis.

 

“It’s really heartening to see collective efforts to address the impending water crisis and the quality of water provision being taken seriously by the Government. This is a fundamental issue that has quite rightly gripped the country,” he said.

 

While the challenge is complex – the Cunliffe report alone runs to over 460 pages and includes 88 recommendations – technology, data and analytics must play a central role. Estimates suggest that billions of litres of water are wasted every day, largely through leakage across the water network, but also through undetected leaks in homes and businesses.

 

This is where smart water meters can make a measurable difference.

 

How smart meters reduce water waste

 

Smart meters provide near real-time data on water usage, enabling both water companies and consumers to spot unusual patterns quickly. In practice, this means leaks can be identified and resolved far sooner than with traditional metering, significantly reducing water loss.

 

From Calisen’s global experience working with water companies, smart metering consistently delivers strong results. Smart meters not only help utilities manage supply and demand more effectively, but also empower consumers to better understand and control their own water usage. Where customers are given access to this data, engagement levels are high – and behavioural change follows.

 

“We know from our smart metering work that smart meters quickly identify leaks. They also give consumers the power to manage their own usage, while providing invaluable insight at scale for water companies responsible for ensuring we have the water we need,” Ben added.

 

Turning data into action

 

The real power of smart meters lies in what can be done with the data. At Calisen, specialist teams combine advanced data analytics with behavioural science to translate insights into action – both in the home and across the wider network.

 

At one water company, this approach delivered a 3.5 megalitre per day reduction in water use, alongside a further 1.65 megalitre per day saving in customer-side leakage – the equivalent of roughly two Olympic-sized swimming pools every day.

 

A smarter approach to water efficiency

 

While investment in new infrastructure, such as reservoirs, remains important, it is equally critical to maximise the water supply we already have. Reducing leakage, improving water efficiency and using smart meter technology more effectively must all be part of the solution.

 

The UK is home to world-leading technology, data science and engineering expertise. By embracing smart metering, water efficiency technology and data-driven insights, we can make meaningful progress towards the sustainable provision of clean water – now and for the future.