Digital metering delivers savings now and supports a resilient and sustainable water future for the Lower Hunter
Hunter Water provides drinking water, wastewater, recycled water and some stormwater services to a population of more than 630,000 people in homes and businesses across the Lower Hunter region. Its water supply network spans 10,000 kilometers of water and sewer mains, with an asset base of more than $2.5 billion worth of infrastructure. Hunter Water engaged SUMS for its water metering solutions in 2012, focused initially on delivering water and cost savings for schools. Since then, the partnership has expanded to water efficiency programs across the network, resulting in millions of resource and cost savings annually.
Collaboration at the heart of water conservation
The Lower Hunter region water supply network covers the areas of Cessnock, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Dungog and small parts of Singleton. Hunter Water embraces smart technology, including SUMS digital water metering solutions, to help achieve its water conservation goals.
From schools, small businesses to large industry customers, collaboration lies at the heart of Hunter Water’s water efficiency programs. Vast data sets and insights also contribute to forecasting, benchmarking, usage patterns, and sustainability development goals that benefit the regions’s people, businesses and communities.
Large customer digital metering program
Hunter Water works closely with its large customers (water users consuming >10ML per year). By using SUMS smart data logging devices, customers gain visibility and understanding of their water use, find efficiencies, and can reduce water-waste and energy costs too.
Find and fix leaks program
Using a mix of temporary and permanent SUMS smart data loggers, Hunter Water can find, track and resolve customer leaks quickly.
Water Efficiency Management Plans (WEMPs)
Hunter Water’s WEMPs assist non-residential customers to understand their water consumption so they can make efficient and lasting change. The SUMS loggers play a critical role to provide real-time data on sub-meters throughout a site. This assists the customer to implement, measure and benchmark water saving efforts.
Stephen Askew, Water Conservation Program Lead at Hunter Water, says:
In 2012 SUMS won a tender to install data loggers in schools. Fast forward, our partnership with SUMS benefits our entire network, monitoring all of our 230 large customers and providing essential data points and insights that continue to help us conserve water, improve operations/planning, and deliver an enhanced customer experience.
SUMS Managing Director, Paul Marsh adds: ‘It’s fantastic to see SUMS technology solutions help the region save water, improve operations/planning, enhance business performance and inspire community engagement. We are very proud of our relationship with Hunter Water and the benefits that it has delivered to the community and Hunter Water.‘
Hunter Water is working closely with its customers, partners and suppliers to help create a sustainable water future.
View Hunter Water tips and useful links
- Saving Water in Business
- Water Efficiency Management Plans (WEMPs)
- Best Practice Guidelines
- Smart Water Choices
