Steel City goes digital as Sheffield gets first water smart meters

Yorkshire Water’s five-year plan to roll-out smart meters is underway, with customers in Sheffield receiving calls to let them know they will be the first in the region to receive them. 

The Yorkshire-wide 1.3-million-meter exchange programme starts in Sheffield in January 2025.  It will see the installation of smart water meters in homes and businesses across the region, designed to enhance customer support, provide service improvements and reduce leakage. 

The installation of smart meters will give customers real-time visibility of their water usage across the day.  When their meter is active, they will be able to see their water usage on their online account and understand how much water they are using.  

Yorkshire Water is working towards halving leakage across the network by 2050.  Smart metering will give greater visibility of what is happening across the network in hourly readings. Customers will be able to see unusual or unexpected readings on their smart meters and Yorkshire Water will be able to detect leakages early, before they become bursts, which can be both costly and disruptive. 

Real-time visibility will help to save water and reduce customers’ bills.  To date, customers don’t really know how much water they are using or have any knowledge about peak times.  Smart meters give real-time readings which will help Yorkshire Water and their customers to understand what they are using, how to save water and reduce their bills. 

James Wilson, business implementation manager, Yorkshire Water, said: “Investing in asset health in this scale will help to create a smart, resilient and calm water network.  By converting to smart metering, Yorkshire Water can make sure its water supply is robust, efficient and sustainable. We can better understand water demand and target water efficiency. 

“For customers, smart meters will help with early leakage detection, provide accurate billing and bring a better understanding of their water usage across the region.  Our contract partners, Morrisons Water Services (MWS) have started contacting customers in the Sheffield area, to let them know when we will start the smart meter exchange.  We would recommend customers register for an online account, if they don’t already have one.” 

In most cases, new smart meters will be fitted in the same location as the existing meter.  In general, smart meters will be in meter chambers in the road, footpath or garden.  If meters are internal, they will be fitted next to the first tap of the house, usually under the sink.  It is customers who have internal meters fitted that will be contacted first about getting their meter upgraded. 

James Wilson added: “Water meters are far more stable and reliable than earlier energy smart meters.  We also watched what other water companies were doing and took on the learnings of what did and didn’t work well.   

“We started our smart meter programme journey in 2022 and since that date we have saved 1,000,000 litres of water, just by identifying leaks in customers’ pipes.  As the smart meter exchange continues, we will be able to continue with these improvements and be able to provide our customers with a better, more reliable service.” 

Netmore has been selected to provide the wireless network infrastructure for the remote reading of the smart water meters. This partnership will enable seamless and secure data transmission, supporting Yorkshire Water’s targeted service improvements, enhanced customer support, and usage efficiencies. The project, which will span several years, involves leveraging existing towers and rooftops across Sheffield to create a robust network. The initiative is part of a broader effort to modernise water management and improve efficiency for both consumers and service providers. 

Dominic Murphy, director of network delivery at Netmore, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with Yorkshire Water on this important project over the next few years. In Sheffield, we’re collaborating with our infrastructure partner, local businesses, and residents to create a strong and reliable network using both existing towers and rooftops, ensuring comprehensive coverage for critical resource management.” 

Yorkshire Water operates a Priority Services Registers (PSR) a useful and free services for customers who may need a little extra help.  The service offers accessible bills such as braille, large print or over the phone.  PSR customers receive bottled water if there is an interruption to service and we can set up a calling system for anyone concerned about unwanted callers.  Customers can also nominate someone else to manage their account on their behalf.  Visit the Yorkshire Water website for details here:  www.yorkshirewater.com/bill-account/priority-services-register/ 

Some smart meter stats and facts:

Yorkshire Water has 60%-meter penetration. 

1.55 million customers with meters 

1.3-million-meter exchanges to roll out  

165,000 meters installed in new developments and existing homes. 

91% of the existing meter network will reach the end of its operational life by 2030. 

All water companies have a target to reduce leakages by 50% by 2050. 

This is a five-year programme starting in 2025 – 2030. 

27.7% reduction in leakage 

8.9% reduction in water consumption per capita 

Increased early detection will lead to an increased efficiency in service delivery. 

Meter exchange begins with 30,000 in Sheffield and south Yorkshire in 2025 and finishes with 51,000 n Huddersfield in 2030 providing 1.55 million smart meters on completion.