Smart water meters could reduce water use

Water meters could follow the smart energy meters into homes.

UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR) has commissioned an industry-wide review into smart metering in order to change attitudes about energy use.

In the White Paper for Climate Change announced by the Environment Secretary Ed Miliband last week, the Government set a target of universal smart metering for energy by 2020 and UKWIR has asked consulting and business services group Mouchel to examine the need for a similar strategy in the water industry.

Smart meters allow consumers to track how much energy they are using and can lead to reductions in usage, cutting bills and carbon emissions.

The UK has a number of regions where water resources are struggling to keep up with demand and although any universal smart metering system would cost billions to install (the energy systems are expected to cost £7 billion by 2020), it is hoped smart meters would reduce demand for water.

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."

According to the WWF, only 38 percent of the UK’s water use is from its own resources, with the rest being imported from other countries.

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