Water Corporation will be delivering WA’s largest smart water meter pilot as more than 16,000 Perth properties are to receive digital smart water meters.

These smart meters can wirelessly transmit water-use data through an online Water Corporation account to provide customers with an hourly overview of their water consumption.

This technology will identify high or unusual water use patterns, alerting consumers of leaks — making it easer for them to save water and money.

WA Water Minister Simone McGurk stated that people are more likely to take actions to reduce their water consumption once empowered with information relating to their current water use.

“This is one of the main advantages of smart meters. They transmit near real-time data, which can be presented through an online account to show people when and how much water they use throughout the day.

“They are also effective in detecting household leaks, helping save valuable drinking water, and reducing the potential for bill shock.

“Through this pilot we’ll gain valuable insights into how to best utilise smart meters in Perth. This will inform the pace and scale of future installations, and help Water Corporation on its journey to become a leading digital utility,” said McGurk.

Water Corporation customers in West Perth will be the first to receive this rollout as 250 smart water meters will be installed in September 2023 under the new metropolitan pilot.

Other participating suburbs will be announced later in the year as the other installations are set to continue from October 2023 onwards.

These meters will provide important insights on the benefits of this technology. For example, how the data obtained can help to alter water-use behaviours and which meters operate best according to local conditions.

Western Australia needs to prioritise water conservation as the average rainfall across the southern part of the state has fallen by 20 per cent since the 1970s, resulting in an 80 per cent reduction in dam inflows and an increase in Perth’s reliance on climate-resilient water sources such as desalination.

Smart water meters will make it easier for locals to use water more efficiently.

Water Corporation will not be charging participants for the meters and customers will gain access to their accounts by June 2024.

The pilot is set for completion in June 2025.