Severn Trent Water has enlisted the services of IoT and smart technology providers Connexin and Itron to digitally transform its water network in Coventry and Warwickshire
The project, which is estimated to be worth £20 million, comes as part of Severn Trent Water’s Green Recovery Programme, and will see Connexin and Itron roll out a new smart water network, beginning in March 2022.
This will include the installation of over 150,000 Itron LoRaWAN-enabled smart water meters, along with a large-scale, carrier-grade LoRaWAN network.
These solutions will enable Severn Trent Water to effectively and remotely gather, access and analyse data from across the network in real-time.
Access to real-time data on water usage, in turn, will help the regional utilities provider improve services, reduce costs for both customers and the provider, and help protect the environment.
Through this partnership, Severn Trent Water can monitor consumption more accurately to ensure customers are being charged correctly, identify leaks or burst pipes faster, and address these at the earliest point.
Additionally, emission and monitor asset conditions can be monitored to ensure the network is operating effectively, which reduces repair and damage costs.
Data capabilities such as these allow utilities companies to reduce wasted resources, through leveraging improved monitoring of how much water is exactly being used.
Tech Leader Profile: leading utilities IT strategy as CIO of Northumbrian Water
“We’re really excited to have Connexin and Itron on board to help us drive this ambitious and exciting project for the region,” said Green Recovery Project lead, Anthony Hickinbottom.
“With the expertise and knowledge between them, they will play a vital role in ensuring we’re implementing a smart meter data network that will bring with it a whole host of benefits that could also save our customers money.
“We all have a vital role in making sure we’re looking after water and doing right by it. This project will give us valuable learnings and insight in shaping how the industry can better understand where water is used, and make sure we’re looking after it for the future.”
Ralph Varcoe, managing director for IoT at Connexin, commented: “IoT and smart technologies have a vital role to play in helping create more efficient water networks which benefit providers, customers and the environment.
“We are thrilled to have been chosen by Severn Trent Water to help it on this important project to create a smarter, greener water network for the people of Coventry and Warwickshire. Through our team’s and Itron’s expertise in the sector, we can ensure we create a modern network that provides better results for everyone.”
Justin Patrick, senior vice-president, device solutions at Itron, added: “Itron has decades of experience helping water utilities improve their operations through advanced metering solutions.
“We look forward to collaborating with Seven Trent to deploy our smart water metering technology to enhance operational efficiency and conserve precious water resources.”
