Smart meter trial aims to protect vulnerable water supplies

A pilot in Rāwene is testing whether smart water meters can help to protect one of the district’s most drought-sensitive water supplies and save customers from unexpected bills.

Far North District Council contracted Ventia to install 275 of the smart meters across the township, replacing traditional mechanical meters before the pilot went live on 1 August. The smart meter network and sensor technology is led by Neura New Zealand and WSP.

While the old mechanical meters provide accurate information, they must be read on-site every six months. By contrast, smart meters send information about water flow continuously. This way, unusual water consumption on a property, most often a leak, is identified quickly.

The council’s Head of Infrastructure Transition, Tanya Proctor, says 16 leaks were detected within the first week of the meters going live. “Previously, a household might not discover a leak on their property until their meters are read manually, giving it several months to spiral out of control.

“This innovation allows us to act faster, preventing small leaks growing to become a major cost for residents or council teams, and it reduces unnecessary drain on vulnerable water sources.”

She says it is especially important as the council prepares for the drier conditions forecast for the coming months due to strengthening El Niño conditions.

“Smart water meters will help reduce consumption and avoid water restrictions for as long as possible. Having a better understanding of water use also helps us plan for future demand as populations and climate challenges grow.”

The council’s next step is to roll out a customer app to go with the meters, so households can see their water use in real time. The app will also provide alerts about possible leaks, giving residents greater visibility and control over their water bills.

Given the pilot’s promising results so far, the council is investigating a future roll-out of the smart meters in Ōpononi and Ōmāpere. Both townships are also supplied by very vulnerable water sources, which face additional pressure from high tourist numbers.