Yorkshire Water is set to exchange 1.3 million existing water meters with smart meters, designed to provide service improvements, enhanced customer support and reduce leakage. Netmore, a leading global LoRaWAN network operator, has been selected as the lead partner to deliver the programme.

The meter exchange program is expected to begin in South Yorkshire in 2025, subject to Ofwat’s final determination, due in December 2024.

By converting to smart metering, the water company says it can ensure the security of its water supply is more robust, reduce the amount of chemicals used in water treatment, and reduce carbon emissions in both water treatment and distribution.

The smart meters will also improve leakage detection, benefit customers by providing accurate billing and enable a better understanding of water usage across the region.

Adam Smith, manager of smart networks and metering transformation at Yorkshire Water, said:

“By moving to smart meters we can better understand water demand patterns and target water efficiency activity.

“Smart metering provides greater insight into customer water use and helps ensure all customers are on the best tariff available to them, enhancing the ability to provide more regular and accurate water billing.

“Since the smart meter programme launched in 2022, we have been able to save 500,000 litres of water, just by identifying leakage on customers pipes. The expansion of the project will enable us to continue making these improvements and ultimately provide customers with a better experience.”

The smart meters will predominantly be fitted in the same location as the existing meter. In general, that will be in a meter chamber in the road, footpath or customer’s garden. Or if the meter is internal, it will be fitted next to the first tap of the house, usually under the sink.

Netmore, a leading global LoRaWAN network operator, has been selected as the lead partner to deliver the programme, including the installation, commissioning and maintenance of connected smart meters. Morrison Water Services will work closely with Netmore and customers to deliver the exchange.

Vadim Lyu, Managing Director UK at Netmore Group, said:

“We are honoured to have been selected by Yorkshire Water and are committed meeting the strict requirements to deliver smart metering data that will improve their operational performance, deliver better environmental outcomes, and support regulatory compliance.”

Lee Wood, area director at Morrison Water Services, added:

“I am delighted that we will be working alongside Netmore in delivering Yorkshire Water’s smart metering programme. This is a fantastic opportunity to bring Morrison Water Services’ smart metering capabilities to the region.”

The program is being implemented to exchange existing meters that are reaching the end of their operational life with an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) designed to provide service improvements, enhanced customer support, and usage efficiencies. The contract will be for an initial term of 5 years, plus data services for the meters installed up to 2045.

Under the terms of the award, Netmore will lead a group of suppliers to deliver the end-to-end service, including the delivery, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of connected smart meters. Meters will be connected to Netmore’s LoRaWAN network for the delivery of Data-as-a-Service to Yorkshire Water.

Morrison Water Services, under contract with Netmore, will plan, schedule and work with household and non-household customers to deliver the exchange of the meter and ensure the highest level of customer satisfaction is achieved. Itron and Diehl Metering have been selected as meter providers for the programme.

Netmore will also deploy and densify network coverage in the region directly and with partners to satisfy service levels required for Yorkshire Water to achieve targeted service improvements.

The new programme will run concurrently with smart meter deployments that began in 2022 when Netmore was awarded AMI frameworks by Yorkshire Water for the delivery of LoRaWAN network services and provisioning of meters for up to 360,000 households, including new developments and Domestic Metered Optants.

Ove Anebygd, CEO, Netmore Group commented:

“This deal is an exciting new milestone for Netmore as we continue to expand our water utility initiatives across Europe and at a time when utilities and municipalities around the world are migrating to sensor-based solutions capable of providing new and valuable datasets for measuring and conserving water for their customers and to address environmental concerns. We are once again very proud that Yorkshire Water, one of UK’s leading water utilities, has trusted Netmore to lead their AMI initiatives.”

Netmore’s growing presence across Europe, the United States, and the Asia Pacific Region includes dedicated regional resources with a deep understanding of local markets, regulations, and customer requirements in support of one of the largest global installed bases of water utility AMI networks and contracted smart meters.

Netmore group’s main owner is the Nordic infrastructure investor Polar Structure.