Connected Technology Revolutionizing Water Utilities: Smart Metering Drives Efficiency & Sustainability

Globally, the adoption of smart metering in the water sector is accelerating. Revenue share of AMI and AMR—advanced meter infrastructure and automated meter reading—rose from 28.2% in 2012 to 46.7% in 2020.

Water scarcity, leakage detection, and the need for precise billing and asset management are the primary catalysts for this shift, according to Matthew Margetts, director of sales and marketing at Smarter Technologies.

Post‑pandemic economic recovery has spurred digital investment, with the global smart water‑meter market projected to grow 7.7% annually from 2020 to 2026. A report by Global Industry Analysts predicts that smart water‑meter investments will rise from US$2.9 billion (€2.47 billion) in 2020 to $4.6 billion (€3.93 billion) by 2026, led by the United States, Canada, China, Japan, and Germany.

With water leakages costing the industry $39 billion (€33.28 billion) a year in lost revenue, connected technology is the decisive driver for utilities, local governments, and businesses worldwide.

The drivers behind smart‑meter investment include:

• Addressing water scarcity
• Detecting leakages
• Eliminating non‑revenue water
• Updating aging infrastructure
• Managing rapid urbanisation
• Enacting supportive legislation
• Promoting water conservation
• Improving operational savings
• Ensuring accurate water bills
• Advancing smart‑city development

AMR for water suppliers

In a recent interview, Mark Cooper, head of smart metering at Thames Water, stated that metering is “absolutely at the heart of water resource management plans”, reducing abstraction and improving resilience. Thames Water serves most of Greater London and beyond.

Over the past six years, the company has increased its smart water‑meter penetration from around 34% to 49%, recently reaching the milestone of half a million devices. The overarching goal is to reduce environmental extraction and secure water supplies for future generations.

The benefits of AMRs

The key distinction between a traditional meter and an AMR water meter lies in the method and frequency of data collection. Real‑time AMR data enables customers and utilities to act with precision, transforming costs and consumption.

Cost‑effectiveness

Re‑retrofitting existing meters with AMR technology is a far simpler and more affordable transition than a full system overhaul, making it an attractive option for many providers.

Preserving precious resources

AMR data empowers households and businesses to reduce usage and smooth peak demand. Continuous flow readings can reveal leaks that otherwise go unnoticed. Greater insight into daily consumption patterns encourages behavioral change, a critical advantage in water‑stressed regions.

For utilities, integrating smart‑meter data with acoustic logging and other sensors sharpens leak‑targeting across networks, helping to curb environmental withdrawals. Aggregated data analysis reveals where water is consumed and wasted, informing targeted interventions.

Saving human resources

Manual meter reading is time‑consuming and hazardous in hard‑to‑reach locations. Automation frees staff time and enhances safety.

Customer engagement

Smart metering facilitates deeper customer engagement by delivering actionable consumption data. Consumers gain control over their water use and confidence in billing accuracy.

Given these advantages, it’s unsurprising that utilities worldwide are adopting AMR technology as a low‑friction solution to slash operating costs and curb consumption. Partnering with an experienced AMR provider smooths the transition and enhances outcomes for all stakeholders.

The author is Matthew Margetts, director of sales and marketing at Smarter Technologies.

About the author

Matthew Margetts has worked for blue‑chip firms such as AppNexus, AOL/Verizon, and Microsoft across the UK, Far East, and Australia.