The delivery of an end-to-end meter-as-a-service solution by Connexin will cover smart water metering requirements across the counties of Essex and Suffolk.
UK water utility Essex & Suffolk Water is working with digital technology provider Connexin to implement an Internet of Things (IoT) advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) to manage the rollout of smart water meters.
The agreement will see meters deployed across the Essex and Suffolk regions and it marks the third major smart water meter win for Connexin after Yorkshire Water and Severn Trent Water.
Connexin claims the IoT metering award is the largest of its kind in the UK water utility sector. The delivery of an end-to-end meter-as-a-service solution will cover smart water metering requirements across Essex and Suffolk, while also supporting Ofwat’s per capita consumption (PCC) and leakage targets. The water company has also committed to ensuring that all water meters are smart by 2035.
Installation of Connexin’s low-powered and long-range LoRaWAN network infrastructure will enable communications with Temetra’s Head End System (HES), sending data from smart water meters via the Connexin AMI network infrastructure to effectively analyse reports from across the network remotely in real-time.
“We are passionate about the environment and our targets to reduce both consumption and leakage, creating a more water-efficient system for our customers”
Connexin will install 164,000 Itron water meters by the end of 2025, 612,000 meters by 2030 and up to one million meters in total by 2035.
In the next 11 years, Connexin will provide a wireless communications network for up to one million households and businesses, meaning remote access to hourly water meter readings, this will increase visibility of usage and help customers take control of their bills. The Connexin network will support the water company in identifying and reducing household leakage across Essex and Suffolk; reducing the amount of water wasted across some of the country’s most water-stressed regions.
“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,” said Gary Adams, head of the Smart Transformation Programme at Essex & Suffolk Water.
He added: “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.
“Securing the largest UK water metering contract is a commitment to the wellbeing of our communities and the conservation of our most precious resource”
“We know that approximately 18 per cent 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.”
Connexin has been awarded a contract of up to 15 years to provide the new infrastructure, five years initially with the option to extend for a further 10 years.
“Securing the largest UK water metering contract is a commitment to the wellbeing of our communities and the conservation of our most precious resource,” said Dan Preece, vice president of water and utilities at Connexin, said: “Together we are paving the way for a more connected, efficient, and responsible world – one drop at a time.”
The Asset Management Period 8 (AMP8) commences on 1 April 2025, affecting all water companies within England and Wales. The purpose of AMP periods, set by industry regulator Ofwat, is to increase efficiency and service levels within the sector. It is anticipated that AMP8 will transform the water industry’s commitments towards climate change and customer expectations on service, society, and the environment.
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How does Connexin's LoRaWAN network improve smart water meter communication?What role does smart metering play in reducing water leakage in Essex and Suffolk?How will hourly water usage data help customers manage their water consumption?What are the environmental benefits of Essex & Suffolk Water's smart meter rollout?How does the meter-as-a-service model support Ofwat’s consumption and leakage targets?