The Silent Revolution of Smart Metering

As the integrated water service undergoes digital transformation, smart metering is playing an increasingly central role, evolving from a simple measuring tool to a smart infrastructure. The project implemented by the the Abruzzo Integrated Water Services Company, SASI SpA, as part of Mission 2 of the PNRR serves as a concrete example of this evolution, with projects totaling over 17 million euros aimed at digitizing, monitoring, and reducing leaks in the water network.

The initiative is aimed at reducing leaks and digitizing distribution networks and has involved 16 municipalities, including the installation of 20,000 ultrasonic smart meters with NB-IoT technology, for a total investment of 3.9 million euros, completed in accordance with the schedule and targets set by the PNRR.

The project is based on the integration of the operator’s expertise, measurement technology, and the software platform. The SSM-AQUO ultrasonic meters by Pietro Fiorentini enable the timely collection of consumption data, while the TAMM platform developed by Terranova allows for its integration with SASI’s management, commercial, and GIS systems, ensuring scalability, data security, and operational continuity.

The benefits are primarily felt at the operational level. The daily availability of reliable data has reduced manual meter reading activities and improved the billing process. Today, the system records over 19,500 daily data transmissions and has already supported the issuance of more than 70,000 bills based on actual consumption.

Automated meter reading and beyond: access to constantly updated data enables the timely detection of hidden leaks, abnormal consumption, and network issues, supporting predictive maintenance strategies and more effective planning of interventions. The data becomes a decision-making tool to support leak reduction and resource optimization.

The relationship with users is also evolving. The ability to access detailed information on consumption and to receive alerts in the event of anomalies fosters greater awareness in the use of this resource. This transparency helps strengthen the relationship of trust between the utility provider and citizens, promoting more sustainable behaviors and a reduction in waste.

In a context characterized by extensive networks and complex territories, the digitization of metering remains a key enabler for building more efficient, resilient, and sustainable water systems. The SASI case demonstrates the true value of smart meters: not only their ability to measure water, but also the potential to transform data into knowledge, knowledge into awareness, and awareness into decisions capable of generating tangible benefits for the utility, users, and the community.