Unlocking the power of smart water metering in AMP8

The UK water sector is undergoing a major transformation. With AMP8 (Asset Management Period 8) driving the widespread adoption of smart metering between 2025 and 2030, water companies are moving from traditional metering to near real-time data collection. This shift will bring big opportunities – but also new challenges, from managing increased data volumes, to integrating systems, and keeping on top of evolving regulations. When done right, smart metering can deliver significant operational, financial, and environmental outcomes. The key is a strategic approach that turns data into real-world impact.

Managing increased data transmission

The transition to smart meters will significantly increase data transmission rates. Water companies will move from biannual or quarterly readings to near real-time collection, potentially every 15 minutes. This high-frequency, granular data offers transformative insights, enabling proactive network management, real-time leak detection, and consumption optimisation.

But with more data comes new challenges. Managing and processing such large volumes isn’t straightforward, and the long-term costs add up. Cloud migration, storage, and ongoing service expenses all need to be factored in, along with increased investment in cyber security, robust data management and IT support.

Traditionally, smart metering investments have focused heavily on upfront capital expenditure (CAPEX) to meet installation targets and data transmission expectations. Now, with cloud-based platforms, many costs are shifting to the operational expenditure (OPEX) category. Ofwat’s TOTEX (total expenditure) approach encourages water companies to strike a balance between CAPEX and OPEX, making it more important than ever to find cost-effective and scalable strategies for managing data.

Seamless system integration

To fully realise the benefits of smart metering, seamless integration across systems and applications is essential. The success of any smart metering programme depends on making sure key platforms work together efficiently. At a high level, this includes advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) for real-time network data management, meter data management systems (MDMS) for processing and storing large-scale meter data, and cloud platforms for rapid scalability and easy data access.

Integration with customer-facing applications is key to ensuring accurate, transparent billing and meaningful customer engagement. Geospatial and asset management tools help plan and maintain networks, while hydraulic modelling and digital twins allow water companies to simulate network behaviour, providing real-time insights to optimise performance. AI-driven analytics and leakage detection enable predictive maintenance, cutting losses and improving efficiency. And, with ever evolving regulations, smooth connections with reporting platforms ensures ongoing compliance.

Without API-driven architectures, real-time data pipelines, and intelligent automation, water companies risk being overwhelmed by the vast amount of data generated. The challenge is not just about deploying smart meters - it’s about creating an integrated, intelligent, and scalable digital water ecosystem. By ensuring seamless connectivity between IoT networks, cloud platforms, and analytics tools, water companies can transform raw data into meaningful insights that drive efficiency, sustainability, and better customer experiences.

Ensuring customer engagement and trust

Smart meters give customers more control over their water use, delivering them real-time insights to make informed decisions about consumption, efficiency and conservation. But to build trust, clear and transparent communication is essential.

To maximise consumer engagement, water companies need to highlight the real benefits of smart technology – lower bills, better water efficiency, and a positive impact on sustainability. By making sure customers see and understand how smart meters make a real difference in everyday life, utilities can drive behavioural change and increase customer buy-in.

Of course, data privacy and security remain key concerns. Customers want assurance that their data is safe and being handled responsibly. A transparent, customer-first approach will be essential to building confidence and ensuring smart metering adoption delivers positive outcomes for everyone.

Achieving successful smart water outcomes

AMP8 presents a pivotal opportunity for smart water metering in the UK. With circa 10 million smart meters set for deployment, water companies have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to revolutionise water management. But implementing smart metering is just the start. To truly reap the benefits of lower leakage, reduced operational costs, improved sustainability, and better customer outcomes, they need a secure, scalable digital foundation. This is where CGI’s proven digital backbone approach comes in.

We support utilities in navigating the complexities of smart metering with end-to-end expertise in data management, system integration, and cyber security. We help our clients integrate smart metering seamlessly into their digital strategies, ensuring efficient data capture, processing, and action. Our solutions enable water companies to maximise the potential of smart meters, driving operational excellence, sustainability, and improving customer engagement.

Get in touch to learn how CGI can help your organisation achieve better water management outcomes.