Smart Places – Water Insights

Introduction

Australia is the world’s driest inhabited continent, yet it supports many industries, cities, and ecosystems that all depend on water (AdaptNSW 2022a).   

It’s important for us to be wise about how we use water. To do this, we need to know about how and where people use water at home. That way, we can make plans to save water in the most efficient ways. The goal is to help people understand how they use water and make changes.  

This pilot will gather data in 250 households in Greater Sydney. It will monitor water use from tap water, rainwater tanks and recycled water. With this information, we can make better forecasts about how much water we'll need in the future. We can also check how robust our water efficiency plans are and use the insights to teach people about water use. 

Challenge 

Water is a precious resource and needs to be managed efficiently. Doing so protects the social, environmental and economic wellbeing of NSW.  

There needs to be a better understanding of how and where residential water is used. Water conservation programs and initiatives can be targeted more precisely as a result. This leads to improved engagement in customer water use behaviours.  

Digital technology and analytical insights are needed to:  

• provide data on residential water use, improving water demand forecasting  

• inform development and assessment of water efficiency program effectiveness (such as BASIX). 

This helps future water restriction initiatives to assess the potential for alternative water sources, such as household greywater reuse.  

Solution  

This project will install smart water meters in 250 households in Greater Sydney. The smart water meters will track everyday water usage. This includes showers, bathtubs, washing machines, bathroom and kitchen sinks. 

The data collected will provide insights into residential water use. This will help inform water demand forecasting, and will aid the design and evaluation of water efficiency programs. 

This project will inform opportunities for greater use of digital metering. It will lead to greater customer engagement across the network. 

Expected outcomes  

Smart Places outcome areas:

• collaboration and connection
• environmental quality.

The project will deliver more robust water demand forecasts and a reduction in water use, improving water efficiency as a result. 

Outcomes of the project will also include greater understanding and awareness of water efficiency initiatives among agencies and the community. 

Resources

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