The water industry stands at a crossroads, where the path forward demands more than just incremental steps—it requires a bold, strategic leap into smart metering. With regulatory pressures mounting, costs rising, and sustainability becoming non-negotiable, water companies can no longer afford to dabble in half-measures. The stakes are too high, and the margin for error too slim. This is where Horizon Water Infrastructure steps in, advocating for a do it once, do it right approach that could redefine the sector’s trajectory.
Horizon Water Infrastructure doesn’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead, they champion a bespoke, end-to-end approach, tailoring smart metering programmes to each water company’s unique needs. Through their Metering-as-a-Service (MaaS) model, they claim to lead, design, deliver, and fund best-in-class smart meter programmes. This isn’t just about getting smart metering right the first time; it’s about ensuring long-term efficiency, resilience, and cost-effectiveness.
The lessons from the energy sector and early adopters in the water industry are clear: smart metering programmes can deliver significant operational, financial, and customer benefits—but only when implemented correctly. Where rollouts have faltered, it’s often due to fragmented deployment, underestimated complexities, and budgetary constraints. Water companies must learn from these missteps to avoid similar pitfalls.
The consequences of a poorly executed smart metering programme are significant. Inconsistent data collection leads to poor network insights, inaccurate billing, and frustrated customers. Cost overruns arise from unplanned expenses due to rework, upgrades, or scaling failures. Regulatory non-compliance can result in missed Ofwat targets and potential penalties. Customer backlash occurs when unclear communication, billing disputes, or ineffective engagement erode trust. Moreover, unmet battery life expectations have plagued early deployments, leading to unexpected replacement costs and operational disruption. Simply put, there is no room for trial and error when it comes to smart water metering at scale.
Horizon Water Infrastructure advocates for a holistic programme design that prioritises long-term efficiency over short-term fixes. Their approach is supplier-agnostic, ensuring the right technology is selected for compatibility, scalability, and regulatory compliance. They emphasise the importance of planning for full network integration to avoid data silos and future-proofing investments to adapt to evolving policies, customer needs, and sustainability goals.
Financial constraints are one of the biggest barriers to smart metering adoption. Horizon Water Infrastructure’s MaaS model addresses this by providing off-balance-sheet financing, allowing water companies to invest without impacting capital budgets. This model reduces financial risk by shifting the burden of asset ownership and ensuring long-term operational efficiency. Phased deployments enable water companies to align investment with proven impact and scale effectively.
The real power of smart metering lies in data analytics, according to Horizon Water Infrastructure. However, without the right infrastructure, valuable insights can go untapped. Water companies should strive for full visibility into consumption, leaks, and network performance. This empowers customers with real-time usage data, helping to reduce demand. AI and machine learning can drive efficiencies by detecting issues before they escalate. Strengthening customer relationships through proactive engagement—offering personalised insights, automated alerts, and tailored conservation advice—builds trust and drives long-term behavioural change.
Horizon Water Infrastructure’s do it once, do it right mindset is not just about avoiding costly mistakes; it’s about building a sustainable, efficient water management system that delivers long-term value. Smart metering is an essential tool, but only if implemented with strategic foresight, robust execution, and financial sustainability.
As the water industry grapples with these challenges, Horizon Water Infrastructure’s approach could set a new standard for best-in-class smart metering. The question now is whether the sector will rise to the occasion and embrace a future where smart metering is not just an option, but a necessity.