South East Water hits 200,000 digital meter milestone
South East Water has reached a major milestone in its digital water rollout, with 200,000 digital meters now installed across Melbourne’s south-east and the Mornington Peninsula. This is the largest rollout of its kind in Australia and is helping customers better manage their water use.
The $272 million program, delivered over 6 years, is replacing analogue meters with smart technology that provides real-time data, leak detection and usage insights. The program now includes larger meters for commercial customers and larger properties.
The rollout is supported by South East Water’s trusted partner, Service Stream, whose trained team carries out meter exchanges and plays a key role in successful installations.
Since starting the rollout in 2018, South East Water’s digital meters have saved an estimated 3.1 billion litres of drinking water and around $14.1 million in reduced customer bills as at June 2025. These savings show how smart technology is delivering real value for customers and helping protect Victoria’s water supply.
Once complete by 2029, the program is expected to save up to 5 billion litres of drinking water each year.
The rollout is also improving customer experience and helping households avoid bill shock. It’s strengthening South East Water’s network performance and climate resilience, with vibration-sensing meters detecting leaks before they become bursts.
South East Water’s innovative leak detection technology, Sotto®, is integrated within some of these digital meters and is now installed in more than 100,000 locations.
A further 350,000 sensors are planned over the next four years to continue reducing water losses and improving network efficiency.
Expanding the use of digital meters and sensors forms part of South East Water’s Price Submission 2023–28 and aligns with the Victorian Government’s goals for water efficiency and digital transformation.
South East Water’s smart network also includes working with its 100 biggest water users across 400 sites through the DEECA WaterSmart Program. Between March and June 2025, the program saved 36.5 million litres of water.
For more information, visit New to digital meters.
Quotes attributable to South East Water Managing Director, Carla Purcell
“This is the largest digital water meter program in Australia, which has been designed and developed by our local experts at South East Water. Innovation such as this, shows the skills and capability that we have in Victoria, to tackle some of the water industries biggest challenges.
“We’re innovating with purpose to help our customers manage their water use, avoid bill shock and protect our precious drinking water for the future.”
Quotes attributable to Service Stream Executive Director, David Zropf
“Service Stream have a long and successful history with South East Water and are proud to be recognising this milestone of 200,000 digital meters installed on the Network. This important program will provide significant value to the customers of South East Water through improved network visibility, billing accuracy and leak management.
“We look forward to contributing to the successful installation of the remaining digital meters in the program. We would like to acknowledge the meter technicians and operational team who have been instrumental in delivering this work with outstanding quality and safety outcomes whilst minimising disruptions to customers.”
Quotes attributable to Mornington Yacht Club Manager, Sarah Grant
“Mornington Yacht Club was proud to host South East Water’s 200,000th digital meter installation.
“The new meter supports mart water use, early leak alerts and improved efficiency for the club and community.”
Photo 1 L-R: Colin Hood (Service Stream), Michael Lewis (Service Stream), Sarah Grant (Mornington Yacht Club), Carla Purcell (South East Water), Andrew Forster-Knight (South East Water), Emma Henderson (South East Water), Nicholas Lamey (Service Stream), and Adam Maksymczuk (Service Stream) at Mornington Yacht Club for the 200,000th digital meter install.
Photo 2 L-R: The 200,000th digital meter install at Mornington Yacht Club.
Photo 3 L-R: Andrew Forster-Knight (SEW) with Nicholas Lamey (Service Stream)
Media contact: media@sew.com.au