UK-based smart technology and digital provider Connexin has been selected by Essex & Suffolk Water for the advanced water metering infrastructure (AMI) framework contract, to manage the roll-out of smart meters across the Essex and Suffolk supply regions.
The agreement is the third major smart water meter win for Connexin having already secured Yorkshire Water and Severn Trent Water.
The new AMI IoT metering award is the largest of its kind in the UK water utility sector. The delivery of an end-to-end ‘Meter as a Service’ solution will cover smart water metering requirements across Essex and Suffolk, while also supporting Ofwat’s per capita consumption (PCC) and leakage targets. The water company has also committed to ensuring that all water meters are “smart” by 2035.
Installation of Connexin’s low-powered and long-range LoRaWAN network infrastructure will enable communications with Temetra’s Head End System (HES), sending data from smart water meters via the Connexin AMI network infrastructure to effectively analyse reports from across the network remotely in real-time. Connexin will install 164,000 Itron water meters by the end of 2025, 612,000 meters by 2030 and up to one million meters in total by 2035.
In the next 11 years, Connexin will provide a wireless communications network for up to one million households and businesses, meaning remote access to hourly water meter readings, this will increase visibility of usage and help customers take control of their bills. The Connexin network will support the water company in identifying and reducing household leakage across Essex and Suffolk; reducing the amount of water wasted across some of the country’s most water-stressed regions.
Gary Adams, Head of the Smart Transformation Programme at Essex & Suffolk Water, said:
“Our partnership with Connexin is a cornerstone in supporting our smart meter rollout ambition in these regions and we are excited to bring their extensive knowledge and experience into our programme of work.
“We are passionate about the environment and our targets to reduce both consumption and leakage, creating a more water-efficient system for our customers. Our rollout of smart metering will support this and provide valuable insight in shaping how the industry can better understand where water is used, and make sure we’re looking after it for the future.
“We know that approximately 18% of our domestic customers have a leak at their property which has a direct impact on the value of their bill. Through this smart connectivity, we will be able to detect customer side leakage more precisely and quicker than before supporting our customers in keeping their bills as low as possible. The hourly data will also allow us to work with our customers to demonstrate how much water they are using and provide guidance on how to reduce it to help improve people’s lives and safeguard our environment.”
Connexin has been awarded a contract of up to 15 years to provide the new infrastructure, five years initially with the option to extend for a further 10 years.
Dan Preece, Vice President of Water & Utilities at Connexin, said:
“We have proved once again we are a leader in smart water infrastructure. Securing the largest UK water metering contract is a commitment to the well-being of our communities and the conservation of our most precious resource. Together we are paving the way for a more connected, efficient, and responsible world – one drop at a time.”
The Asset Management Period 8 (AMP8) commences on 1 April 2025, affecting all water companies within England & Wales. The purpose of AMP periods, set by industry regulator Ofwat, is to increase efficiency and service levels within the sector. It is anticipated that AMP8 will transform the water industry’s commitments towards climate change and customer expectations on service, society, and the environment.
