Smart water meter trial to help save water

• First stage of smart water meter trial a success in Kalgoorlie-Boulder
• Enables early detection of leaks and improved tracking of water use

The first stage of a trial to install and monitor new 'smart' water meters at 24 households in Kalgoorlie-Boulder has been completed successfully, paving the way for the second phase of the water saving program.

Speaking in Kalgoorlie-Boulder today, Water Minister Bill Marmion said he was impressed with the new meters that were assisting Water Corporation customers to save water and detect leaks.

"Smart meters record water use every hour, which means the corporation can detect any unusual increases in demand and inform the customer to check for potential leaks," Mr Marmion said.

"During the trial, the corporation detected a water leak at a property, and this not only saved precious water going to waste but also the customer an increase of about $120 on their next water bill."

The Minister said work to install all households in Kalgoorlie-Boulder with a smart meter had almost been completed.

"Now the first stage of the trial has finished, the next step is to connect every new smart meter that is being installed to the online network," he said.

"Devices called 'collectors' are being installed that will transfer data from the smart meters and feed it back to the corporation. These works are due to be completed by mid-November and the whole trial to be finished by mid-2012."

Mr Marmion said following the trial the new smart meters and advanced metering infrastructure would become the corporation's normal operation for Kalgoorlie-Boulder. The total cost of the project is $4million which is a combination of Water Corporation and Federal grant funding.

       Fact File

• Smart meters record water use every hour which allows the detection of potential leaks
• The technology is aimed at improving water efficiency in the area
• Water use in Kalgoorlie-Boulder is expected to reduce by 12 per cent, or more than one billion litres per year

Minister's office - 9220 5000