Rome, March 22, 2022 – A new generation of smart meters – if deployed on a large scale – could help dramatically cut water consumption and waste in Italy. The new meters, equipped with a communication system that detects consumption remotely, identify any leaks and inefficient uses, supporting the provision of services to ensure network efficiency, as well as water balancing.

Francesco Hensemberger, Chief Customer Officer of MeteRSit (a SIT Group subsidiary specialised in the development, production and marketing of smart meters for gas and hydrogen metering with thermo-mass measuring system) outlined this fact at the presentation of the 2022 edition of the Water White Paper 2022 promoted by the “Community Valore Acqua per l’Italia” of The European House – Ambrosetti, of which SIT is a partner.

The introduction of these technologies, according to SIT – will make customers aware of their consumption levels, with a major knock-on effect for cutting waste and consequently on water saving.

“The process of replacing old analogue meters has already begun,” Hensemberger notes, “and will probably be accelerated thanks to the PNRR (National Recovery Plan), whose actions include the digitisation of the water network, with the goal of cutting losses and optimising consumption.”

However, regulatory hurdles remain that could slow the deployment of these technologies or reduce their positive impact. “The release of the new meters, highlighted the MeteRSit executive, “should be accompanied by technical regulations and standards defined and designed to maximise efficiency and cut waste, as established at the time by ARERA for gas networks“.

SIT entered the water meter market at the end of 2020 with the acquisition of the Portuguese company Janz, an established European market player.

SIT’s Board of Directors today approved the results for 2021. These results highlight the acceleration of energy transition operations.