Hunter Water will trial advanced digital water meters in targeted parts of its supply area to explore how detailed and frequent consumption data can help customers save water and improve network management.
Leading Australian and New Zealand metering provider Intellihub will supply the digital water meters for the pilot and securely connect the data and communications platforms into Hunter Water’s systems.
Hunter Water is one of the largest water providers in NSW, supplying water and wastewater services to more than 600,000 people across its supply area.
The pilot project will involve the installation of digital water meters at 500 residential and business premises.
First of its kind program across the Hunter Water supply area
Intellihub GM Smart Water, Inge Diamond said new digital meters are 21st-century technology that provide faster and more valuable data to help customers and utilities.
“Digital meters have become a crucial part of the energy transition taking place around the world,” Ms Diamond said.
“They can bring these same benefits to water utilities and their customers.
“Across Australia, digital water meters have already helped to save millions of litres of water and significantly reduce costs for customers, while streamlining operations for network operators.
“We look forward to working with Hunter Water to help them unlock the benefits from digital meter technology and data.”
The digital meters will help Hunter Water detect water leaks at a customer’s home or business and alert customers earlier with a suggested course of action so they can save water and better manage costs.
Up to 50 local businesses will also take part in the trial to see how digital meters and 30-minute consumption data can help them use water more efficiently and drive down business costs.
The new technology will also help Hunter Water identify breaks or leaks in the water distribution network, allowing it to respond earlier, further reducing water losses.
Hunter Water Executive Manager Customer Service, Matt Hingston, said access to more detailed, timely water consumption data is key to better serving their customers.
“New digital water meters can record data every 30 minutes, and at the end of day, send that data back to us over secure communication networks,” Mr Hingston said.
“That information means we could detect high consumption or water leaks much faster and then advise customers much sooner so they can act, saving precious drinking water and helping the environment.
“This technology trial will help us continue to be efficient and keep our customers’ bills as low as possible.”
Greater insights and data driven forecasting
Intellihub will assess a range of leading digital metering and cloud technology as part of the pilot project to help provide the best and most appropriate solution for Hunter Water and its customers.
Different solutions such as ultrasonic measurement technology, pulse loggers and advanced communications platforms will be tested to see how they perform in local conditions.
The pilot program will give Hunter Water greater insights on data-driven forecasting and data requirements for the different teams in its business.
It will help Hunter Water understand how the data can provide greater visibility and better and faster decision making across its portfolio of assets.
“We are continually looking at new ways to efficiently manage the region’s water supplies for new and existing customers,” Mr Hingston said.
“Digital water meters are a critical tool to help us and our customers use water even more sustainably and better manage costs.”
Smart water system keeps an eye on golf club water use
Hunter Water business customer Belmont Golf and Bowling Club is taking part in the trial to help monitor its water usage across its clubhouse and pro shop.
Intellihub has recently installed a commercial water logger which works with their digital water meter to capture near real-time water consumption.
The club can log on and monitor its baseload and peak water usage and get alerts if there’s any suspected water leaks.
“It’s important for us to make sure we’re using water wisely and it’s not going to waste,” Club General Manager Stuart MacAskill said.
“The logger and digital meters help us monitor our water consumption, so we know if there’s a leak or water is being wasted.”
