Smart technology and digital provider Connexin has signed a licence agreement with Southend-on-Sea City Council to install Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN) gateways on existing infrastructure across the city. This forms part of the region’s smart water metering programme to enable smart technologies that will benefit both residents and the environment, delivered in partnership with Essex & Suffolk Water.
Under the agreement, Connexin will install wireless gateways on existing streetlights where possible, minimising the need for new poles and avoiding unnecessary construction. By working with the Council to access existing infrastructure, disruption to residents will be reduced and a smoother, more efficient rollout of the new network is ensured.
The new LoRaWAN network will support the transfer of data from up to 700,000 smart water meters being installed across Essex & Suffolk by 2035. These meters will send data from households across the region to Essex & Suffolk Water, enabling the water company to remotely monitor usage in near-real time, detect leaks early, and respond quickly, a major step forward in reducing water waste in some of the most water-stressed regions in the UK.
Dan Preece, Vice President of Water & Utilities at Connexin said: “This agreement with Southend-on-Sea City Council is a fantastic example of how collaboration can drive innovation. Wherever possible, we want to partner with local authorities in this way. By utilising existing infrastructure, we can minimise construction and reduce disruption to the environment. This not only supports better water management but also lays the groundwork for smarter cities, making the region more sustainable and better connected.”
In addition to operational benefits for the water utility company, residents will gain greater visibility and control over their water usage. A free app provided by Essex & Suffolk Water allows customers to check their smart water meter readings on an hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly basis. On average, households with smart meters reduce consumption up to 20%, helping to reduce bills and environmental impact. On top of this, because customers are billed on what they actually use rather than predicted usage, the system also ensures fairer and more accurate billing.
Cllr Daniel Cowan, Leader of Southend-on-Sea City Council, said: “This is a smart, resident-first solution. By using the infrastructure we already have, like streetlights, we’ve avoided our streets being cluttered with lots of new masts [poles]. This digital network allows us a faster, smarter, and more cost-effective way with potential to do more to improve our services in the region.”
Dominic Butcher, Metering Strategy Manager for Essex & Suffolk Water, said: “We’re pleased that through hard work and collaboration we have set the foundations of a strong, long-lasting working relationship with both Southend-on-Sea City Council and Connexin, and residents will soon feel the benefits of smart water meters.”
The new LoRaWAN network in Southend-on-Sea paves the way for innovative smart applications that will bring lasting benefits to local communities and the environment, ranging from air quality monitoring and smart lighting to early flood detection.
