Consulting and business services group Mouchel has been appointed by UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR) to lead an industry-wide review in to smart metering.

The Government has recently announced its smart meter initiative for the energy sector and confirmed the target of universal smart metering across the UK by 2020. Energy suppliers face challenging efficiency and carbon targets and increasing competition for customers. Smart meters give customers greater insight into their energy-use behaviour and energy costs in ‘real time’ and supporters believe they hold the key to changing attitudes to energy use.

The UKWIR review will examine the case for the development of similar metering in the water industry and form the basis of guidance on the development of cost-beneficial metering strategies. Intelligent metering could lead to better demand management in the water industry and help to reduce water stress in increasingly dry regions of the UK, ultimately enabling the development of intelligent distribution networks.

Brendan McAndrew, Mouchel’s Strategic Consulting Technical Director, said:

“Mouchel is delighted to have the opportunity to support the UK water industry's research into intelligent metering. Smart metering has the potential to change the way we think about and use drinking water on a daily basis. The twin pressures of population growth and climate change make it all the more important to shift perceptions about the value of this precious resource. With the momentum behind smart metering in the energy sector and the Digital Britain agenda, these are exciting times and Mouchel is keen to play its role in identifying opportunities for the water industry. Water metering is a sensitive issue and an open and objective approach, which takes account of the real costs and benefits, is essential."