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Innovation in action in smart water meter experiments

9 January 2024

Innovation is in action across the motu with trials of new smart water meters by our Citycare Water Digital Services team.

In Auckland we a trialling a new type of smart water meter which connects to the street lightning network to send wireless water usage data. The light poles are ‘digitally enabled’ and can provide a wireless connection using radio waves rather than the traditional telecommunications company technology.

Our Digital Services Team is using the trial to test how we might be able to roll out smart water meter solutions to cities and towns that have a similar smart light pole network for radio waves. The team is experimenting with a variety of communications systems including radio frequencies.

In Christchurch a test rig for smart meter technology is operating at Citycare Water’s Hazeldean Road depot to showcase eight different set-ups within eight tobies.

This rig enables our teams to become more familiar with installing particular brands of smart meters. Every smart meter has unique attributes and the rig enhances our understanding of the performance of different types of smart meters to help us assess which brands best suit our customers’ needs and their water network.

Customers can see the smart water meters in action and have informed discussions about their operation.

2024 is shaping up to be a year of growth for Digital Services as we go to market with a range of tested and proven new technologies and customer network solutions.