Vodafone and South East Water trial NB-IoT to reduce water leaks

A pilot project is currently underway in Kent and will run for a year. The two companies working with partners develop and connect specialist digital water meters, sensors and acoustic loggers on underground mains water pipes via Vodafone’s NB-IoT network. Acoustic loggers detect the noise of escaping water within the network, allowing leaks to be detected and their precise location to be pinpointed. The resulting data will be analysed and monitored, alerting South East Water immediately if there’s a leak. The two companies claim that this is the first time that NB-IoT has been used in the UK as part of a smart water network.

NB-IoT (Narrowband Internet of Things) provides wide coverage and deep in-building/underground penetration, by transmitting on a very narrow frequency band. It operates at low power, allowing batteries within NB-IoT sensors to last up to 10 years on a single charge.

There is a need for innovation approaches within the water sector, as Ofwat, the industry regulator, is requiring that all water companies reduce their water leakage by 15 per cent by 2025 and the head of the Environmental Agency, Sir James Bevan, warned back in March that due to climate change and population growth in around 20-25 years, “unless we take action” English water demand will outstrip supply (as reported by the BBC).