The problem
Silo previously operated on a communal water billing system where the total cost of hot and cold water was distributed by unit entitlement amongst all apartment owners via body corporate fees. This caused a lack of accountability, with residents having no financial incentive to reduce consumption; hidden leaks that went undetected without real-time monitoring; and increasing costs, with Watercare (Auckland's water utility) announcing annual price rises.
What we did
Smart Metering installed ultrasonic smart water meters on both hot and cold water lines throughout the building, enabling automated real-time usage tracking for each unit. The system provides accurate meter reads daily and immediately flagged discrepancies in water usage within the building.
The outcome
One apartment alone was found to be wasting 5,500 litres per day due to an undetected leak, an issue that would have gone unnoticed without real-time monitoring. Leaks were promptly identified and addressed, delivering significant cost savings, increased resident awareness and responsibility, and reduced water waste. With automated invoicing, residents now receive clear, transparent bills based on actual consumption, and the user-pays model ensures fairness while promoting sustainable water use across the community.