The smart water meter trial, currently being carried out in Reading to test the suitability of a long-range radio-based communications network for connecting smart water meters, has now been extended to include London.

SmartReach, a collaboration of Arqiva, BT, BAE Systems Detica, and Sensus for smart metering communications in Great Britain, is working in partnership with Thames Water to carry out the trial. Long-range radio communications and smart water metering could help water companies better manage networks, reduce leaks and conserve water. By extending the trial to London, the effectiveness of the communication system with different housing stock and difficult to reach, underground meter locations can be assessed.

Dr Piers Clark, commercial director at Thames Water, said: "As water becomes an increasingly precious resource, smart water metering will play a critical role in helping the water industry to better manage consumption and leakage. Based on the current trial with SmartReach in Reading, we believe that long-range radio offers a simple, quick, non-obtrusive and efficient means of building a Smart Water Meter network. The system promises far more available data on water flows that will help Thames Water to manage consumer demand and pinpoint leakages. Extending the scope of the trial to London will provide further valuable data."

David Green, smart metering sales director for Arqiva, said: "We are delighted to extend the smart metering trial with Thames Water. It is demonstrating the importance of smart meters to the water industry and proving the suitability of Long-Range Radio as a communications solution for smart water, smart meters and smart grids."

The trial will help ensure that the utility companies can connect smart meters to the network first time and that communication can be established with all meters. These are critical factors in successfully meeting the Government's deadline of 2019 for the deployment of smart energy meters to all homes and small premises.