Northern Ireland Water is expanding its use of smart metering technology across commercial properties following a series of successful trials with SUEZ.
The initiative builds on an initial deployment at Queen’s University Belfast, where SUEZ’s Wize network, combined with smart meters from Diehl Metering, demonstrated strong performance. The trial achieved connectivity rates of up to 99% across the city, from Belfast Harbour to the South Lagan Valley, highlighting the system’s ability to operate reliably in varied urban environments.
Encouraged by these results, Northern Ireland Water launched a second phase in the first quarter of 2024, targeting high-use commercial customers. Around 200 Wize smart meters were installed at the Boucher Road Industrial Estate in Belfast. Connectivity rates improved further, reaching 99.8%, reinforcing confidence in the technology’s reliability and suitability for large-scale deployment.
A third phase is now underway in Omagh, where approximately 800 commercial customers are being equipped with smart meters. The rollout presents a more demanding test of the network, as the town’s location in an agricultural basin surrounded by hills and the Sperrin Mountains creates challenging conditions for low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) communications.
SUEZ said the project demonstrates the robustness of the Wize system in complex terrains as well as dense urban settings.
“We have found Northern Ireland Water to be an excellent partner on this project,” said Dr Yang Fu, Technical Manager at SUEZ. “Their commitment to improving service efficiency and sustainable water management aligns closely with our goals for digital technology.”
Northern Ireland Water has previously trialled a range of smart metering solutions. However, the consistent performance of Wize technology, particularly in delivering near real-time data, has been identified as a key advantage. This data supports faster leak detection, improved demand monitoring, and more accurate billing for commercial customers.
According to the utility, these capabilities are central to improving operational efficiency and supporting long-term water management objectives.
Daniel Bermingham for Northern Ireland Water said the technology is already helping to shape its future strategy:
“Throughout the various phases of our smart metering rollout, Wize technology has proven to be exemplary in both signal range and reliability. It has enabled NI Water to develop a long-term, cost-effective smart metering strategy, with near real-time data proving invaluable for managing water supply and demand. SUEZ has proven to be an excellent delivery partner.”
The ongoing rollout marks a significant step in Northern Ireland Water’s digital transformation efforts, as utilities increasingly adopt smart technologies to improve performance, resilience, and sustainability.
