Who
United Utilities, Persimmon Homes, Diehl Metering, Vodafone
What
Groundbreaker and INSUduct
Where
The Heath, SandbachWhen
Circa 2015–2019
At a glance
Smart Meter Pilot at new residential development
Above-ground meter location for stronger data transmission
Designed-out leakage risks for long-term water savings
Seamless collaboration between water company, housebuilder, and technology partners
Fully compliant with WaterUK/HBF best practice guidelines
Supported United Utilities’ policy for preferred meter locations
Smarter Metering, Stronger Connections
Future-ready installations that cut leakage risks and deliver reliable data.
The Problem
At The Heath residential development in Sandbach, United Utilities launched a Smart Meter Pilot to test new ways of reducing water use. The objectives were clear:
Relocate meters to design out potential leakage points
Improve data transmission reliability for smarter consumption insights
Traditional below-ground meter locations posed challenges, risking leakage and making consistent, cost-efficient data collection difficult. A new solution was needed that could deliver both resilience and accuracy.
The Solution
Groundbreaker Systems supplied the Groundbreaker and INSUduct system both compliant with WaterUK/HBF best practice guidelines.
By moving the meters above ground, the project achieved:
Stronger connections: Consistent NBIoT data transmission, reducing the cost of meter data collection and enabling future digital solutions such as LoRa.
Leak-free installations: Redesigned service entry points lowered the risk of leakage for homeowners and the network.
Granular insights: Smart meter data provided detailed visibility of per capita consumption (p.c.c.), supporting water efficiency goals.
Collaboration was key: United Utilities worked alongside Persimmon Homes, supported by HBF, with Diehl Metering and Vodafone delivering the technology backbone.
The Result
The pilot was a resounding success, delivering reliable smart meter performance, reduced leakage risk, and robust data capture. The outcomes helped shape United Utilities’ preferred meter location policy, demonstrating how innovative design and strong partnerships can future-proof water infrastructure.
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