Severn Trent's £200m Pact Sets Europe's Smart Water Pace

Severn Trent and Netmore roll out 1M smart meters to cut waste and redefine water management

2 Sep 2025

Britain's water system is about to get a major digital upgrade. Severn Trent has struck a £200 million deal with Netmore to install one million smart water meters, a rollout billed as one of Europe's most ambitious infrastructure projects.

The goal is simple but urgent: waste less and manage better. With real-time insights into usage, the technology is expected to cut leakage by 16 percent and bring down consumption by 7 percent within the decade. Regulators are tightening standards, climate pressures are rising, and traditional fixes no longer go far enough.

This is where a coalition of tech partners comes in. Netmore, which runs the UK's largest LoRaWAN network, will lead the push. Meter makers Itron and Diehl will supply the hardware, while Vodafone's loT platform strengthens connectivity. By blending two network systems, the consortium hopes to guarantee coverage and resilience even as demand grows.

"This is no longer about pilots or experiments," Netmore said in a statement. "A hybrid network solution is now a necessity for utilities that want to stay ahead." It is a pointed reminder that the industry has reached a turning point, moving from small trials to sweeping adoption.

Analysts say the deal could reset expectations across Europe. By bringing in multiple players rather than a single supplier, Severn Trent is building a framework designed to withstand regulatory scrutiny and rapid technological shifts. The complexity of managing two networks and the thorny issue of data security remain challenges, but optimism outweighs doubt.

If the rollout succeeds, it will not just secure the UK's water future. It could offer a blueprint for how collaboration and innovation can tackle one of the continent's most pressing environmental challenges.