Using smart meter data to meet ambitious leakage targets

Published On 23/03/2025

The need to conserve precious water supplies has never been more pressing. Growing water demands coupled with heightened, climate change induced drought risk has compounded existing water resources challenges.

In order to secure a resilient water supply, water companies in the UK have been tasked with reducing leakage by 50% from 2017-18 levels by 2050. This target comes at a time where the sector is seeing critical technological improvements, increasing the availability of leakage data in terms of type, quantity, quality and immediacy of access.

Our recently completed project, A deep dive into leakage using smart meter data (24/WM/08/78), explores new methodologies and computing tools for detecting and analysing leaks. The research pays particular focus to the use of smart meter data, allowing water companies to make immediate use of these valuable insights.

To read the report click here.

All data analysed in this study was provided by Anglian Water. The project was delivered by HR Wallingford. The UKWIR Project Manager was Neil Harper. The project steering group was formed by representatives from across water companies and the subject matter expert was Dennis Dellow