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# SME Water Ltd

Delivering contemporary network solutions to the water industry.

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://sme-water.co.uk/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [100 times faster!? Big wins for Sonar development in 2026](https://sme-water.co.uk/100-times-faster-big-wins-for-sonar-development-in-2026/) - 100 times faster!? Big wins for Sonar development in 2026IntroductionSonar is SME Water’s acoustic noise logging analysis suite. By combining water network data from GIS with deployment and fleet status data from logger suppliers, we’re able to offer our clients insights including: Maximum achievable acoustic coverage Optimised logger deployment plans Fixed network logging performance analysis
- [Project Capillary – unlocking the potential for sub-DMA analysis](https://sme-water.co.uk/project-capillary-unlocking-the-potential-for-sub-dma-analysis/) - Project Capillary – unlocking the potential for sub-DMA analysisIntroductionAs part of our learning and development assignment this year, I was interested in attempting to find a way to effectively create a process for analysing client data at a sub-DMA level. As we expand our client base as well as our number of products, it can
- [From Assignment to Productionised Data Science Delivery System: DSquared Transient Population Demand Pilot](https://sme-water.co.uk/from-assignment-to-productionised-data-science-delivery-system-dsquared-transient-population-demand-pilot/) - From Assignment to Productionised Data Science Delivery System: DSquared Transient Population Demand PilotIntroductionIn this blog, I want to reflect on my assignment on productionising data science delivery. The aim was to explore how data science work can move beyond exploratory notebooks and become a structured, repeatable and explainable workflow. I used transient population demand in
- [How SME Water creates space for ideas to thrive](https://sme-water.co.uk/how-sme-water-creates-space-for-ideas-to-thrive/) - How SME Water creates space for ideas to thriveIntroductionMost of our monthly blogs focus on a particular area of expertise, whether that’s leakage reduction, pressure management, acoustic monitoring or the data analytics that support those activities. They are typically written by the people delivering that work, sharing insights from their own projects and experiences. So,
- [A Smarter Approach to Time Series Analysis in Water Networks](https://sme-water.co.uk/a-smarter-approach-to-time-series-analysis-in-water-networks/) - A Smarter Approach to Time Series Analysis in Water NetworksIntroductionWater distribution networks generate vast amounts of time series data every day through sensors measuring flow, pressure, and demand patterns. However, selecting the right analytical technique for a specific operational problem is often challenging due to the wide range of available methods and varying data characteristics.
- [Understanding and predicting customer consumption to help reduce DMA leakage](https://sme-water.co.uk/understanding-and-predicting-customer-consumption-to-help-reduce-dma-leakage/) - Understanding and predicting customer consumption to help reduce DMA leakageWith our Managing Director, Stuart Mawditt, and Technical Delivery Manager, Edwin Williams, heading to Rio de Janeiro next week to present at IWA Water Loss 2026, this month’s company blog shares the abstract of their paper on the Paradigm Club Project – highlighting how improved understanding
- [​​Household evolution: How changes in behaviour can impact domestic water demand​](https://sme-water.co.uk/household-evolution-how-changes-in-behaviour-can-impact-domestic-water-demand/) - ​​Household evolution: How changes in behaviour can impact domestic water demand​IntroductionWe all use water. All day. Every day. And in the UK, we are lucky enough that we can take using clean, running water from a tap, for granted. For this reason, most of us probably don’t think too much about how and when we
- [Speeding up Sonar with Multi-Core Processing​](https://sme-water.co.uk/speeding-up-sonar-with-multi-core-processing/) - Speeding up Sonar with Multi-Core Processing​IntroductionIn my previous blog, I outlined a distributed computing system which I’d developed to run our Sonar acoustic analysis software across multiple servers concurrently, reducing overall processing time by sharing the load. Since then, Sonar has got even faster thanks to a further development to fully support multi-core processing. In this blog post, I’ll explain what
- [Project Octo-snap and parallel computing](https://sme-water.co.uk/octo-snap-parallel-computing/) - Project Octo-snap and parallel computingIntroductionOnce per year at SME Water we each take on an ‘Assignment’. This is a research project undertaken in our learning and development time to further our skills in an area of interest. In this blog, I’ll share some of what I’ve learned and achieved this year while developing a distributed
- [Understanding Pressure Transients: Unlocking Hidden Insights in Water Networks](https://sme-water.co.uk/understanding-pressure-transients-unlocking-hidden-insights-in-water-networks/) - Understanding Pressure Transients: Unlocking Hidden Insights in Water NetworksIntroductionEvery water network from urban distribution pipelines to groundwater wells experience changes in pressure. Water companies often focus on flow rates, demand forecasting, and system efficiency but one of the most dynamic, least understood phenomena in their networks is the pressure transient. As part of a Knowledge
- [Pressure Management as part of Northumbrian Water's AMP7 Strategy](https://sme-water.co.uk/pressure-management-as-part-of-northumbrian-waters-amp7-strategy/) - Pressure Management as part of Northumbrian Water’s AMP7 StrategyWater pressure has been shown to have a considerable impact on leakage and burst performance of networks, and it is generally accepted that by reducing excess pressure and minimising the range of pressure on the network this will improve asset performance. One way to achieve this is
- [Pressure Management in South Staffs Water](https://sme-water.co.uk/pressure-management-in-south-staffs-water/) - Pressure Management in South Staffs WaterOne of our blogs from earlier this year detailed a project we had undertaken for Northumbrian Water, where we were approached to help understand opportunities for new pressure management schemes on its network. On the back of the success of this project, we rolled out our analysis to other water
- [Network insights from critical point data](https://sme-water.co.uk/network-insights-from-critical-point-data/) - Network insights from critical point dataWe’re currently working with one of our clients to evaluate pressure management opportunities and, as part of this work, we must gain an understanding of potential losses in pressure with the flow of water through the network. To do this, we look at the difference between the total pressure head
- [Chilly transducers and erroneous results](https://sme-water.co.uk/chilly-transducers-and-erroneous-results/) - Chilly transducers and erroneous resultsIntroduction We found an interesting occurrence recently while conducting some pressure analysis for a client. The project involved pressure sensors being installed in dual boundary boxes and comparisons being drawn with the pressures being recorded at the nearest hydrant on the network. We aimed to determine how effectively logging at a
- [​​Understanding pressure logging​](https://sme-water.co.uk/understanding-pressure-logging/) - ​​Understanding pressure logging​IntroductionAs our Dynamo club project starts to take shape we are working with our clients to understand the opportunities that pressure logging can bring to our water networks. This includes going back to basics to make sure we have a full understanding of the functions of pressure loggers before we can move onto
- [Trust over hype: Building analytics that inspire confidence](https://sme-water.co.uk/trust-over-hype-building-analytics-that-inspire-confidence/) - Trust over hype: Building analytics that inspire confidenceIntroductionWater companies are collecting more data than ever before. Network sensors, smart meters, telemetry systems, and cloud platforms are generating a continuous stream of operational insight. Much of this data exists to meet regulatory commitments and improve performance, particularly around leakage. But data alone doesn’t drive decisions. People
- [Time Series Clustering: A Framework for understanding DMA-level demand](https://sme-water.co.uk/time-series-clustering-a-framework-for-understanding-dma-level-demand/) - Time Series Clustering: A Framework for understanding DMA-level demandIntroductionWater networks generate large amounts of time-stamped data: smart meters, sensors, and other SCADA systems. At household and DMA level, these data capture rich diurnal behaviour: sharp morning surges, evening peaks, and systematic calendar effects such as weekday-weekend differences, school holidays and seasonal use (for example, outdoor
- [Three years of collaboration with the Paradigm Club Project](https://sme-water.co.uk/three-years-of-collaboration-with-the-paradigm-club-project/) - Three years of collaboration with the Paradigm Club ProjectIntroductionIt’s amazing how fast three years fly by when you look back. This month marks the end of the third year since the Paradigm Club Project got underway and, though the Club Project is coming to an end, Paradigm has successfully demonstrated its value to the future
- [The scale of the challenge: England’s looming water deficit​](https://sme-water.co.uk/the-scale-of-the-challenge-englands-looming-water-deficit/) - The scale of the challenge: England’s looming water deficit​IntroductionLast month, the Environment Agency (EA) published its National Framework for Water Resources, a report published every five years that sets out the actions required by water companies, regulators, businesses, and the public to best manage water usage into the future. The report made for interesting reading.
- [Developing great people: Using Bloom’s Taxonomy to support learning and development](https://sme-water.co.uk/developing-great-people-using-blooms-taxonomy-to-support-learning-and-development/) - Developing great people: Using Bloom’s Taxonomy to support learning and developmentIntroductionAt SME Water, we’re proud to support UK water companies with data products that help monitor, manage, and reduce leakage. But the more we work with operational teams, analysts, and strategic leaders, the more we realise that better systems alone aren’t enough. Leakage performance doesn’t
- [Frozen Fallout: Analysing the impact of freeze-thaw on DMAs](https://sme-water.co.uk/frozen-fallout-analysing-the-impact-of-freeze-thaw-on-dmas/) - Frozen Fallout: Analysing the impact of freeze-thaw on DMAsIntroductionIn our most recent Paradigm user group in February, we shared some interesting analysis with our clients on how the cold snap throughout the first couple of weeks in 2025 impacted leakage within their DMAs. The resulting freeze thaw event in January was unusual as it affected
- [CLU Hybrid – A Multi Method Approach to Imputation and Forecasting](https://sme-water.co.uk/clu-hybrid-a-multi-method-approach-to-imputation-and-forecasting/) - CLU Hybrid – A Multi Method Approach to Imputation and ForecastingIntroductionIn our previous blog, we discussed the importance of time series data across various domains, from finance to the water industry, and highlighted the challenges of missing data and accurate forecasting. We reviewed both traditional and modern time series analysis techniques and recognized that no
- [DMA Operability: A green light for leakage targeting?](https://sme-water.co.uk/dma-operability-a-green-light-for-leakage-targeting/) - DMA Operability: A green light for leakage targeting?DMA OperabilitySince the creation of DMA leakage calculations, analysts have needed a method of understanding whether the numbers they are calculating are reliable. This is typically undertaken in the UK using a Per Capita Consumption (PCC) test, where daily leakage is calculated using a minimum night flow water
- [Beyond the Black Box: Creating Clear and Effective Analysis Tools](https://sme-water.co.uk/beyond-the-black-box-creating-clear-and-effective-analysis-tools/) - Beyond the Black Box: Creating Clear and Effective Analysis Tools“It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts.” – Sherlock Holmes ‘A Scandal in Bohemia’ by Arthur Conan Doyle IntroductionAt the recent UK Leakage conference, Jeremy Heath, Innovation
- [Mastering Change: Fundamentals of Change Management](https://sme-water.co.uk/mastering-change-fundamentals-of-change-management/) - Mastering Change: Fundamentals of Change ManagementIntroductionAs providers of contemporary network solutions to the water industry here at SME Water, it is important we recognise and factor how to support the successful integration of change into business as usual for the companies we collaborate with. Change management can be challenging, with the scale of change varying
- [​​A dilemma in demand – Balancing modelling and forecasting requirements to create a robust solution​](https://sme-water.co.uk/a-dilemma-in-demand-balancing-modelling-and-forecasting-requirements-to-create-a-robust-solution/) - ​​A dilemma in demand – Balancing modelling and forecasting requirements to create a robust solution​IntroductionWater companies rely heavily on demand modelling and forecasting to ensure the efficient management of water resources. These models help balance water production and supply with customer consumption, infrastructure optimisation and to help meet regulatory targets such as leakage reduction. However,
- [Optimising Acoustic Logger Deployment with Genetic Algorithms](https://sme-water.co.uk/optimising-acoustic-logger-deployment-with-genetic-algorithms/) - Optimising Acoustic Logger Deployment with Genetic AlgorithmsIntroductionOnce per year at SME Water we each take on an ‘Assignment’. This is a self-selected research project undertaken in our learning and development time to further our skills in an area of interest. In this blog, I’ll share some of what I’ve learned this year about optimisation algorithms
- [A Survey of Time Series Analysis Methods and Approaches](https://sme-water.co.uk/a-survey-of-time-series-analysis-methods-and-approaches/) - A Survey of Time Series Analysis Methods and ApproachesIntroductionTime series refers to data collected with respect to time and Time series analysis pertains to the methods and techniques we employ to understand and analyse time series data. The need to understand the universe, physical systems and processes over time has made time series analysis a
- [Further Investigation Into the Effect of Climate on UK Water Main Burst Rate](https://sme-water.co.uk/further-investigation-into-the-effect-of-climate-on-uk-water-main-burst-rate/) - Further Investigation Into the Effect of Climate on UK Water Main Burst RateInvestigation aimsAs has been shared in a string of LinkedIn posts over the past couple of months, we at SME Water have been embroiled in our annual assignments for the first part of 2024. This year I wanted to develop some exploratory work
- [What is the difference between the Paradigm Rating and the Weekly Workstreams?](https://sme-water.co.uk/what-is-the-difference-between-the-paradigm-rating-and-the-weekly-workstreams/) - In this blog, we provide answers to the commonly asked question about Paradigm: What is the difference between the Paradigm Rating and the Weekly Workstreams?
- [Personal and Professional Development For Strategic Leadership](https://sme-water.co.uk/personal-and-professional-development-for-strategic-leadership/) - Explore the concepts of personal and professional development and unlock strategic leadership excellence with this SME Water guide on personal and professional development.
- [Acoustic Network Coverage](https://sme-water.co.uk/acoustic-network-coverage/) - Acoustic Network CoverageIntroductionI’ve recently been working on how we can help our clients understand the ‘coverage’ of their water distribution network by acoustic noise loggers. As each sensor can ‘hear’ bursts for a given distance along a pipe (depending on material) we can imagine using a highlighter pen to draw this coverage on a map,
- [Using Principal Component Analysis to improve the Paradigm model](https://sme-water.co.uk/using-principal-component-analysis-to-improve-the-paradigm-model/) - Using Principal Component Analysis to deliver improvements to the Paradigm model, specifically, the household component for improved DMA analysis accuracy.
- [AI in 2023: ‘Data from Star Trek’ or ‘Holly from Red Dwarf’?](https://sme-water.co.uk/ai-in-2023-data-from-star-trek-or-holly-from-red-dwarf/) - Discover how you can use real-world A.I with Microsoft's 'Copilot' for efficient coding and accelerated data analysis. Join us on a journey through the present and future of AI.
- [Is the ground beneath your feet causing leakage?](https://sme-water.co.uk/is-the-ground-beneath-your-feet-causing-leakage/) - Is the ground beneath your feet causing leakage?Introduction 2022 leakage Overall, 2022 was a challenging year for water companies across the UK. There was very little rainfall from January to October, which lead to 11 of the 14 Environment Agency areas being put into drought measures. Coupled with this July and August saw spikes in
- [Skill Set vs. Mindset – Why Mindset Matters More as You Advance](https://sme-water.co.uk/skill-set-vs-mindset/) - Explore the balance of skill set vs. mindset in your career. Learn why mindset matters as you advance and discover the power of cultivating the right mindset for success.
- [Using Miro for Project Delivery: Promoting Collaboration and Creative Thinking](https://sme-water.co.uk/promoting-collaboration-and-creative-thinking-using-miro/) - Explore ways to improve project collaboration and creativity, streamline teamwork, leverage innovative features, and achieve success using Miro, a visual project management tool.
- [Resilient Data Processes with Azure Blob Storage](https://sme-water.co.uk/resilient-data-processes-with-azure-blob-storage/) - Resilient Data Processes with Azure Blob StorageIntroduction As we grow as a company, we’re continuously assessing how we provision the IT infrastructure which allows us to deliver services and projects for our clients. Cloud services have their advantages and disadvantages, but one area in which they provide a clear win for us is data storage.
- [UK summertime – could the ‘new normal’ be causing more bursts?](https://sme-water.co.uk/uk-summertime-could-the-new-normal-be-causing-more-bursts/) - We investigate whether the hot and dry weather in 2022 had a great enough bearing on soil moisture deficit to increase the number of burst related jobs raised on the network.
- [Strings and bows: The Paradigm Academy](https://sme-water.co.uk/strings-and-bows-the-paradigm-academy/) - Strings and bows: The Paradigm AcademyIntroduction As the unnumbered legions of eagle-eyed SME blog watchers will have no doubt noticed, there has been a lull in the tempo of our company blog posts of late. Throughout 2023, the whole team here at SME Water has been working intensively to develop our new demand forecasting tool,
- [Stakeholder management​](https://sme-water.co.uk/stakeholder-management/) - Stakeholder management​Background Here at SME Water, one of our core values is ‘Partner’, which we define as ‘We develop lasting partnerships with clients and face challenges together.’ Our partnerships are based on the personal relationships we build with our clients, but ensuring we have the processes in place is integral to the long term success
- [How can we identify DMA demand trends that highlight sensitivity to climate?](https://sme-water.co.uk/how-can-we-identify-dma-demand-trends-that-highlight-sensitivity-to-climate/) - How can we identify DMA demand trends that highlight sensitivity to climate?Background As has been well documented in the media, 2022 has been a year of extreme climatic conditions in the UK. Numerous records have been broken, creating a ‘perfect storm’ of issues for many of the water companies across the country. July became the
- [A combined sensor approach to smart water networks](https://sme-water.co.uk/a-combined-sensor-approach-to-smart-water-networks/) - A combined sensor approach to smart water networksOne of the main themes for the UK’s AMP7 has been smart networks, with water companies investing significantly in additional sensors for their distribution networks. However, many water companies are still only achieving partial coverage (around 20-30%) of their networks despite heavy investment in a variety of approaches,
- [Paradigm: Mosque water usage](https://sme-water.co.uk/paradigm-mosque-water-usage/) - Paradigm: Mosque water usageI previously wrote a post about Ramadan – its impact on water consumption and how its effect varies from year to year – (The changing face of Ramadan and water usage). The focus of that study was to investigate the impact that Ramadan has on domestic water usage and, by the end
- [Exploring Auto Regressive models to help predict DMA daily flow](https://sme-water.co.uk/exploring-auto-regressive-models-to-help-predict-dma-daily-flow/) - Exploring Auto Regressive models to help predict DMA daily flowIn time series analysis an Auto Regressive (AR) model is a simple linear regression model used to predict current values from previous values. Along with the simple Moving Average (MA) model it forms the fundamental component of many other more complex models e.g. ARMA and ARIMA
- [Infilling missing elevation data for network modelling](https://sme-water.co.uk/infilling-missing-elevation-data-for-network-modelling/) - Infilling missing elevation data for network modellingHydraulic network modelling is a powerful tool with the potential to provide great insight into the behaviour of water networks and how their operation can be improved. When constructing models, we concern ourselves with ‘links’ through which we can solve for flow rates and the ‘nodes’ between them at
- [The ARMA model and model selection criteria](https://sme-water.co.uk/the-arma-model-and-model-selection-criteria/) - The ARMA model and model selection criteriaWe previously looked at using a simple Auto Regressive (AR) model to help predict DMA daily flows and demonstrated how simple models have some, but limited, capability in predicting values. When using simple one-order models, such as the Auto Regressive (AR) or Moving Average (MA) models, we can simply
- [The Race to Zero Leakage – Pressure Logging vs Acoustic Logging](https://sme-water.co.uk/the-race-to-zero-leakage-pressure-logging-vs-acoustic-logging/) - The Race to Zero Leakage – Pressure Logging vs Acoustic LoggingOver the past two years, we have seen significant investment by UK water companies in network monitoring as part of their AMP7 strategy to reduce leakage. This has involved large scale deployments of acoustic and pressure logging, with many companies intending to expand this further
- [Understanding signal quality using QGIS heat mapping](https://sme-water.co.uk/understanding-signal-quality-using-qgis-heat-mapping/) - Understanding signal quality using QGIS heat mappingDynamo, our flagship product, relies on frequent pressure data from logged points on the network to ensure it is truly dynamic. This means that the reliable communication of data from pressure loggers is fundamental to the work that we do. Our clients’ logger data is typically sent every 30
- [Applying graph theory to help understand model networks](https://sme-water.co.uk/applying-graph-theory-to-help-understand-model-networks/) - Applying graph theory to help understand model networksWe are currently working on a project for a UK water company which involves building DMA models to conduct network analysis. As part of this process, we have found that concepts from graph theory can be applied both to facilitate data cleansing activities and provide insight into the
- [Unlocking DMA secrets: The benefits of permanently pressure monitored DMAs](https://sme-water.co.uk/unlocking-dma-secrets-the-benefits-of-permanently-pressure-monitored-dmas/) - Unlocking DMA secrets: The benefits of permanently pressure monitored DMAsOver the past couple of years, we have worked with a number of UK water companies to deploy increased pressure logging within District Metered Areas (DMAs) and to then investigate the added benefit to be gained from this extra monitoring. Here we highlight some of the
- [Plan Huerta: An introduction](https://sme-water.co.uk/plan-huerta-an-introduction/) - Plan Huerta: An introductionWe have started working alongside The Phoenix Projects, looking to use our engineering experience and resources to support the valuable work they are doing to improve education and employment opportunities in Honduras, Ecuador, Perú, and Guatemala. The Phoenix Projects work with local teams to implement and maintain sustainable income projects, giving local
- [The benefits of using Dynamo to reduce leakage detection time](https://sme-water.co.uk/the-benefits-of-using-dynamo-to-reduce-leakage-detection-time/) - The benefits of using Dynamo to reduce leakage detection timeOver the past two years, we have been working with Severn Trent Water (STW) to implement Dynamo across their network. This summer, we completed the scheduled deployment of 6000 permanent loggers that measure pressure constantly, helping to build a ‘smart network’ that can detect anomalous data.
- [Choosing a database](https://sme-water.co.uk/choosing-a-database/) - Choosing a databaseWe are currently working with a number of UK water companies on projects which involve building DMA models to conduct network analysis. For this task, we required a generic system which could ingest client GIS data and output functional hydraulic network models. Key requirements included that data transformation and cleansing be as automated
- [Divide & Conquer](https://sme-water.co.uk/divide-conquer/) - Divide & ConquerMany of our recent projects involve the storage and use of flow and pressure data recorded on the water network. As our projects have grown, so have our database storage needs. We noticed we were experiencing a steady but consistent decline in query performance, particularly when accessing data for analysis from our time
- [The changing face of Ramadan and water usage](https://sme-water.co.uk/the-changing-face-of-ramadan-and-water-usage/) - The changing face of Ramadan and water usageThere are over 3 million Muslims living in the UK, which equates to approximately 5% of the total population. The areas with the highest Muslim population are Greater London, West Midlands, Yorkshire, and the North West. Each year, we see a change in water usage in District Metered
- [How suitable is Power BI for mapping data?](https://sme-water.co.uk/how-suitable-is-power-bi-for-mapping-data/) - How suitable is Power BI for mapping data?We have been working with Severn Trent Water on the Dynamo project for almost two years, with a fleet of almost 6000 permanent pressure loggers installed on the network across 5 counties. It has become increasingly important for us to be able to report on fleet health, track
- [Python multiprocessing in Dynamo](https://sme-water.co.uk/python-multiprocessing-in-dynamo/) - Python multiprocessing in DynamoDynamo uses flow and pressure data to provide localised ‘areas of interest’ following a burst occurring. We have recently developed a new version of the system which implements the analysis in such a way that we can detect and localise burst events live throughout the day, as soon as the relevant flow
- [Presenting flow and pressure data in Power BI – Lessons learnt](https://sme-water.co.uk/presenting-flow-and-pressure-data-in-power-bi-lessons-learnt/) - Presenting flow and pressure data in Power BI – Lessons learntBy way of a disclaimer, I would first like to say that I was wholly new to Power BI six months ago and even though I like to think I have come on leaps and bounds since then, the more established users among you may
- [Paradigm: Insights during lockdown](https://sme-water.co.uk/paradigm-insights-during-lockdown/) - Paradigm: Insights during lockdownTo say that the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has changed the world would be an understatement. While the full extent of its impacts on the water industry are still emerging, we decided to look into the impact that the pandemic has had on water consumption in the UK. Using Paradigm, our component demand
- [Using Dynamo to localise demand anomalies](https://sme-water.co.uk/using-dynamo-to-localise-demand-anomalies/) - Using Dynamo to localise demand anomaliesDynamo is an automated tool that is able to identify and localise events on our clients’ networks, including unidentified demand previously reported as leakage. Dynamo analyses the time series data that we receive from our client’s assets, and in doing so, can identify flow and pressure changes on the network
- [Q&A: United Utilities Innovation Lab Experience](https://sme-water.co.uk/qa-united-utilities-innovation-lab-experience/) - Q&A: United Utilities Innovation Lab ExperienceEarlier this year SME Water took part in United Utilities’ Innovation Lab 3 (2020/21). With applications now open for their 2022 Innovation Lab, we interviewed our Managing Director, Stuart Mawditt, to find out more about his experience as a participant and find out how it has benefited the business. Q:
- [Dynamo: Delivering improved network understanding](https://sme-water.co.uk/dynamo-delivering-improved-network-understanding/) - Dynamo: Delivering improved network understandingAs part of our ongoing Dynamo projects we have identified a range of issues on networks for various clients, including bursts, demand anomalies and network configuration issues. We’ve discussed in previous blog entries how Dynamo was designed to continuously monitor flow and pressure data with the aim of providing near real-time
- [Investigating net flow predictability](https://sme-water.co.uk/investigating-net-flow-predictability/) - Investigating net flow predictabilityWhen analysing DMA net flow data, it is important to understand how variable diurnal net flow profiles can be in order to model them as accurately as possible. A clear understanding of which DMAs have consistent and repeatable net flow profiles gives us greater confidence when deriving expected profiles to identify abnormal
- [Not just a leaky loo](https://sme-water.co.uk/not-just-a-leaky-loo/) - Not just a leaky looWater is a precious natural resource. Whilst it feels like it rains nearly every day here in the UK, there is a genuine risk of water scarcity in future years, due to population growth and climate change. Forecasts predict that demand will exceed supply in the next 20-25 years. However, surveys
- [Three things I wish I knew when I started using PostgreSQL](https://sme-water.co.uk/three-things-i-wish-i-knew-when-i-started-using-postgresql/) - Three things I wish I knew when I started using PostgreSQLIt’s been more than nine months since my last blog on PostgreSQL, and we’ve now been using it as a business for over a year. In that time, we’ve continued to discover and make use of some of its more advanced features. We’ve also found
- [Winter readiness for smart networks](https://sme-water.co.uk/winter-readiness-for-smart-networks/) - Winter readiness for smart networksDespite a relatively mild autumn, we have already seen some snow and frost across most of the country and with more wintery days and nights likely on the way, I’m sure most of you have been getting your homes winter ready. There are several ways to help protect your water supply
- [Standardising our data mining processes using CRISP-DM](https://sme-water.co.uk/standardising-our-data-mining-processes-using-crisp-dm/) - Standardising our data mining processes using CRISP-DMIn recent months, we have been adopting the Cross-Industry Standard Process for Data Mining (CRISP-DM) process model. CRISP-DM is a framework that provides a structured approach to planning and delivering data mining/analysis projects. It is a proven, robust, and widely used methodology both in industry and academia. Figure 1
- [Why I think all engineers should learn to code](https://sme-water.co.uk/why-i-think-all-engineers-should-learn-to-code/) - Why I think all engineers should learn to codeFrom a young age, I’ve had an insatiable curiosity about computers. More recently, I’ve been pleased to discover that while working as an engineer this is quite useful. In this blog, I’d like to explain why I think computer skills are now vital for the role and
- [The role of pressure in smart water networks](https://sme-water.co.uk/the-role-of-pressure-in-smart-water-networks/) - The role of pressure in smart water networksAs water companies look to make their networks smarter to meet the AMP7 leakage target, the number of sensors deployed on their networks continues to grow. With the associated data collection and analysis becoming an integral tool for leak detection efforts, this blog will look at how Dynamo
- [Paradigm: Unmasking DMAs through residual analysis](https://sme-water.co.uk/paradigm-unmasking-dmas-through-residual-analysis/) - Paradigm: Unmasking DMAs through residual analysisDMA demand analysis is an integral part of a leakage analyst’s job. Being able to confidently determine whether a sustained increase in night usage within a DMA is due to a rise in leakage or due to an increase in customer consumption is vital. We are currently amidst Ramadan, the
- [The benefits of understanding weekday/weekend customer demand variation](https://sme-water.co.uk/the-benefits-of-understanding-weekday-weekend-customer-demand-variation/) - The benefits of understanding weekday/weekend customer demand variationI have recently been working on the development of our new demand analysis platform, Paradigm. This new product analyses DMA net flow data to derive expected profiles, with the aim of assisting clients with anomaly detection, as well as identifying net flow profiles containing previously unknown customer demand
- [Five reasons to get excited about our new data warehouse](https://sme-water.co.uk/five-reasons-to-get-excited-about-our-new-data-warehouse/) - Five reasons to get excited about our new data warehouseIn the past quarter, we’ve been developing a new data warehouse system to improve how we handle and process our clients’ data. Put simply, a data warehouse is an organised and central store of data which has been transformed so that it is ready to be
- [Predictably Erratic: Water consumption during Liverpool's 2022 CL final appearance](https://sme-water.co.uk/predictably-erratic-water-consumption-during-liverpools-2022-cl-final-appearance/) - Predictably Erratic: Water consumption during Liverpool’s 2022 CL final appearancePlease note: All views expressed in this piece are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the official position of SME Water… not that SME Water has an official position on football. Football. As the wildly overused phrase goes, is ‘a funny old game’. With
- [Demand insights using open source data](https://sme-water.co.uk/demand-insights-using-open-source-data/) - Demand insights using open source dataRecently we posted a short update on how Paradigm has been able to identify unmetered allotments in our clients’ DMAs. We were able to home in on these users thanks to our confidence in the ‘primary’ components that we have set up in Paradigm, which enable us to create accurate
- [PR24 and climate change: A perfect storm heading for the UK Water industry?](https://sme-water.co.uk/pr24-and-climate-change-a-perfect-storm-heading-for-the-uk-water-industry/) - PR24 and climate change: A perfect storm heading for the UK Water industry?AMP8 has presented some challenges for water companies, and recent events in the UK are certainly throwing up some short-term issues for water supply in certain regions, but generally water companies have these events well in hand and the scaremongering in some of
- [Six thinking hats](https://sme-water.co.uk/six-thinking-hats/) - Six thinking hatsBackground Here at SME Water, we hold the ongoing growth and development of our people as a significant and core value. Each individual is allocated a fixed time each month along with a designated mentor to ensure there is continual personal growth and development. As problem solvers and innovators within the UK water
- [Permanent acoustic logging: a technology whose time has come?](https://sme-water.co.uk/permanent-acoustic-logging-a-technology-whose-time-has-come/) - Permanent acoustic logging: a technology whose time has come?Permanent acoustic logging has matured as a leakage detection technology over the last decade and, as such, has been rolled out by a number of water companies during the last AMP cycle. While different hardware manufacturers have taken markedly different approaches to the data being collected, the

## Pages

- [Home](https://sme-water.co.uk/) - Trusted by companies all over the UKTrusted by companies all over the UK We are providers of specialist SaaS solutions to the UK water industry, combining expertise in network management and data science to support operational efficiency and long-term resilience. We work closely with major UK water companies to help reduce leakage and optimise performance
- [Our People](https://sme-water.co.uk/our-people/) - Our peopleOur team of engineers and analysts give us a wealth of experience and diversity of viewpoint, helping us to approach our clients challenges in the right way. As a company, we are dedicated to the development of our people and supporting their career progression. This includes a formal training plan for all permanent staff,
- [Contact Us](https://sme-water.co.uk/contact-us/) - Trusted by companies all over the UK Contact informationUnit B2, Willow House Oaklands Office Park, Hooton, Cheshire, CH66 7NZ +44(0)151 647 4777 contact@sme-water.co.uk LinkedInComplete our short form below and one of the team will be in touch with you soon. "*" indicates required fields EmailThis field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.Your
- [Blog](https://sme-water.co.uk/blog/) - Stay up to date with the latest news and insights into the world of water network analysis. See what we’re working on in realtime. Our team are constantly sharing their learnings, as well as how they relate to the wider challenges we all face. Peruse our regular blog posts here and follow us on LinkedIn
- [Cadence](https://sme-water.co.uk/cadence/) - Cadence is a smarter way to manage your data. Validating and connecting flow, pressure and operational datasets to create a single, trusted version of the truth that powers our analysis platforms: Dynamo, Paradigm and Sonar. By ensuring that every dataset reinforces and contextualises the others, Cadence provides the integrity and clarity needed to build reliable
- [Sonar](https://sme-water.co.uk/sonar/) - Sonar starts by assessing the suitability of DMAs for acoustic logging, identifying where and how acoustic monitoring can deliver the greatest benefit. By utilising optimised deployment plans, showing the siting and number of loggers required to achieve effective coverage, alongside proactive post deployment reviews, Sonar creates a culture of higher engagement and performance across deployment
- [About](https://sme-water.co.uk/about/) - Founded in 2019, we have created an experienced team with a balance across engineering and data science disciplines. We are constantly developing our team’s capabilities through training and recruitment and put a growth mindset at the core of everything we do. ​ We pride ourselves on the relationships we build with our clients, working closely
- [Academy](https://sme-water.co.uk/academy/) - The Academy is a collection of courses made up of videos, articles, quizzes and interactive features that provide our clients with the training materials they need to make the most of our services. In addition to offering training on our analysis platforms, the Academy provides both a grounding in the features of clean water networks
- [Solutions](https://sme-water.co.uk/solutions/) - SME Water has developed a range of specialist services to support the operational efficiency of the UK water industry and promote long term resilience. Through close collaboration with the industry, we have developed three analysis platforms that directly tackle the most pressing challenges in clean water distribution networks. Guided by the PALM framework, Dynamo takes
- [Dynamo](https://sme-water.co.uk/dynamo/) - The Dynamo club project is emulating the success of the Paradigm club project by bringing together industry experts to share their knowledge in the area of pressure analysis, management and control. Through this collaborative approach, Dynamo focuses on addressing the most pressing issues faced by the industry – as decided by the industry. With the
- [Paradigm](https://sme-water.co.uk/paradigm/) - Paradigm gives you a smarter way to manage your areas, categorising DMAs to fully understand what solution is required and the benefit that can be realised. By building a model of expected customer demand behaviour at DMA level, Paradigm allows analysts to confirm whether the net flow is representative of how each area should perform.
- [Our Clients](https://sme-water.co.uk/our-clients/) - Our clientsSince our inception, we’ve worked with some of the biggest players in the water industry. Our collaborative approach to projects has enabled us to build strong and long-lasting relationships. Through these partnerships, we’ve got to grips with the day-to-day concerns of network and performance managers, tailored our data analysis services and created robust solutions
- [Case Studies](https://sme-water.co.uk/case-studies/) - We’re confident in our combined expertise in data management and civil engineering. By understanding both sides of the equation, we’re not only giving you the numbers, we’re finding out the whole story. So, how have our data insight projects actually helped the companies we collaborate with in real terms? These case studies evidence some valuable
- [Book a Trial](https://sme-water.co.uk/book-a-trial/) - Want to understand how Paradigm could deliver insight for your DMAs? We are offering free trials to interested water companies in the UK.Paradigm is being used by companies across the UK to understand their customers demand and target leakage on their water networks. Our revolutionary club project is committed to the long term improvement of
- [Newsletter](https://sme-water.co.uk/newsletter/) - Want us to keep in touch? Get the latest SME Water news and realtime insights delivered straight to your inbox, as well as product updates and exclusive announcements. Your name* Your email*
- [DMA Selection and Opportunity](https://sme-water.co.uk/dma-selection-opportunity/) - As it is not currently feasible for every DMA to be acoustically logged, selecting the right areas to log is essential to maximising return on investment. Radar identifies which areas are most suitable for logging, with reference to levels of existing leakage and how reactive an area is, as well as the material types of
- [Fixed acoustic networks](https://sme-water.co.uk/fixed-acoustic-networks/) - Once a fixed acoustic network has been put into the ground the question becomes: ‘How effectively are the loggers relaying the data they produce and what improvements can be made?‘ To provide an answer to this question Radar, offers a range of options. Firstly, Radar provides an easily navigable deep dive into the status of
- [Lift & Shift](https://sme-water.co.uk/lift-shift/) - Where utilising a Lift & Shift approach, identifying which areas are the most suitable for deployment is a key consideration, as is reviewing how the deployment performed as part of a process of iterative improvement. By ingesting actual deployed locations and comparing against the optimiser results, a robust and automated post-deployment review can be conducted.
- [The Paradigm Method](https://sme-water.co.uk/the-paradigm-method/) - Below is an interactive graph that shows how Paradigm builds up its modelled profile. Click the different components on the graph below to learn more about what they represent and how we calculate them. An explanation for each component will display below the graph. Paradigm Components Household The Household component provides an estimate for the
- [Paradigm Clients](https://sme-water.co.uk/paradigm-clients/) - Below is a map of the clients who are currently engaging with Paradigm. Click the areas on the map to see a bio for each. South Staffs Water Severn Trent United Utilities Yorkshire Water Thames Water Data is currently being validated and will be available soon. South West Water Interested in working with us?Contact us
- [Paradigm Case Studies](https://sme-water.co.uk/paradigm-case-studies/) - Throughout the rollout of Paradigm we have been collecting case studies that demonstrate the kind of issues that the analysis can highlight to our clients. By clicking on the stylised DMA graphic below you can read through a selection of these as they relate to the key features of a DMA. If these peak your
- [Acoustic Analysis](https://sme-water.co.uk/acoustic-analysis/) - The prevalence of acoustic logging in the UK has surged over the past 5 years, with significant investment in permanent fleets of acoustic loggers across much of the UK’s water networks. We specialise in making sure our clients are getting the most out of their fleets by making sure their analysts have the right information
- [Services](https://sme-water.co.uk/services/) - Our servicesThanks to a winning blend of data science and civil engineering expertise in our team, we’ve crafted data analysis solutions that meet many of the everyday challenges experienced by those managing water network performance. Our services focus on key areas of analysis affecting water companies’ clean water networks. Click on each service to discover
- [Pressure Management](https://sme-water.co.uk/pressure-management/) - Pressure management has traditionally been seen as a highly effective solution, delivering quick wins for reducing leakage, and there are many great examples across the UK of pressure reducing valves delivering an excellent return on investment. Typically, these valves can significantly reduce the overall pressure in a network as well as delivering a calmer profile.
- [Privacy Policy](https://sme-water.co.uk/privacy-policy/) - Privacy policy​ 1. Introduction This is the Privacy Policy (the “policy”) of SME Water Ltd, a company registered in England and Wales under registration number 11294509, whose registered office is at Unit 5, The Workshops, Marcus Street, Birkenhead, Wirral, England, CH41 1EU. SME Water Ltd (hereafter “SME Water”, “we” or “us”) understands that your privacy
- [Pressure Transients](https://sme-water.co.uk/pressure-transients/) - Advances in data logging technology for the past 10 years have significantly improved water companies’ awareness of pressure transients on their network. However, as an industry we are still understanding their causes, how best to monitor for them, and the impact they can have on asset life. Whilst significant transients can cause immediate bursts on
- [Search](https://sme-water.co.uk/search/) - Search

## Portfolio

- [Dynamo: Northumbrian Water](https://sme-water.co.uk/portfolio/dynamo-northumbrian-water/) - Dynamo: Northumbrian WaterOur pressure management service, Dynamo, has been evolving over a number of years, but we can trace the fundamentals of our current approach to this project in Northumbrian Water. This project established the method we use to understand the hydraulics of areas, demonstrate available pressure using historic data, and build a benefits case
- [Dynamo: South Staffs Water](https://sme-water.co.uk/portfolio/dynamo-south-staffs-water/) - Dynamo: South Staffs WaterWhen South Staffs Water needed to identify where to concentrate their effort and resources as part of their leakage reduction strategy, our proven pressure management analysis approach, Dynamo, was ready to assist. With significant leakage reduction targets, the client was keen to understand how best to apply their finite budget – and
- [Sonar: United Utilities](https://sme-water.co.uk/portfolio/sonar-united-utilities/) - Sonar: United UtilitiesUnited Utilities have invested well in acoustic technology and achieved some fantastic benefits, but with the opportunity coming up for further investment, they were keen to understand whether their fleet could deliver even more benefit. The project looked at their processes and analysis approach to understand potential improvements and then trialed the process.
- [Paradigm boosts efficiency in resource deployment](https://sme-water.co.uk/portfolio/paradigm-boosts-efficiency/) - Paradigm boosts efficiency in resource deployment5* DMAs are those where the Paradigm modelled flow has matched actual net flow well for a significant period, indicating that demand is well understood. When flow diverges from the model, analysts can be assured that there is something unusual occurring that requires investigation. In this case study, actual net
- [Paradigm drives DMA night flow to five year low](https://sme-water.co.uk/portfolio/paradigm-drives-night-flow-to-five-year-low/) - Paradigm drives DMA night flow to five year lowIdentifying areas that contain high levels of leakage is something Paradigm excels at. When Paradigm assisted in driving down a DMA to a five year low in minimum night flow levels, we think that’s worth celebrating! In this case study, this DMA had a 4* model rating,
- [Paradigm highlights bad data](https://sme-water.co.uk/portfolio/paradigm-highlights-bad-data/) - Paradigm highlights bad dataWhere there is bad data feeding into decision making, the only result can be sub optimal decisions. In this case study, Paradigm identified an integrity issue that was causing inaccuracies in the net flow, leading to reported upstream losses of approximately 230 m3/d on the upstream network. The 2* rating attributed to
- [Paradigm: Severn Trent](https://sme-water.co.uk/portfolio/paradigm-severn-trent/) - Paradigm: Severn TrentFollowing the development of Paradigm’s analysis approach, we were looking to understand how we could turn the analysis outputs into tangible actions and network improvements. At this stage, our work was delivering fantastic insights, but clients were struggling to realise the benefit from the improved understanding we were giving them, which could have
- [Paradigm and the misrecording meter](https://sme-water.co.uk/portfolio/integrity-workstream-dma-211-01-uu/) - Paradigm and the misrecording meterMetering DMAs is an essential mechanism to identify areas experiencing water losses, allowing companies to estimate leakage as accurately as possible. In this case study, Paradigm analysis turned up an inlet meter that was not recording properly. With the area’s model matching well in the day but not at night, there
- [Isolating known leaks supports Paradigm appraisal](https://sme-water.co.uk/portfolio/leakage-workstream-dma-d315-sst/) - Isolating known leaks supports Paradigm appraisalOn a weekly basis, Paradigm places DMAs into one of four workstreams. These are Maintain, Leakage, Integrity and Data. In this case study, a DMA in the Leakage workstream was investigated to see if the known customer side leaks were responsible for the difference between the actual net flow and
- [Paradigm points to unbilled users](https://sme-water.co.uk/portfolio/integrity-workstream-dma-d824/) - Paradigm points to unbilled usersParadigm’s ability to provide demand insights in a DMA by comparing the actual net flow to the modelled profile’s expectations is what makes it such a valuable tool when looking for the causes of unaccounted for water. In this case study for South Staffs Water, Paradigm correctly identified that there was
- [A Paradigm sanity check of leakage targets](https://sme-water.co.uk/portfolio/maintain-workstream-dma-148-05/) - A Paradigm sanity check of leakage targetsAs valuable as identifying leaks is, showing that an area does not contain significant leakage can be just as useful as it allows leak detection resources to be deployed to areas where they can be more useful. In this case study, Paradigm improved the accuracy of resource deployment by
- [Paradigm highlights logger timing offsets](https://sme-water.co.uk/portfolio/data-workstream-dma-barnolma/) - Paradigm highlights logger timing offsetsAs an engineering consultancy, we know that accurate data is of paramount importance to providing effective solutions. To correctly analyse the level of unaccounted for water in an area it’s essential to be able to trust the data being produced. In this case study, Paradigm helped identify a time offset issue
- [Paradigm indicates unbilled consumption](https://sme-water.co.uk/portfolio/paradigm-indicates-unbilled-consumption/) - Paradigm indicates unbilled consumptionA wise person once said, ‘A problem defined is a problem half solved’ and so it proved in this case study. Paradigm made it clear that there was excess consumption during the day, while flow matched the model’s expectations well at night, ruling out significant leakage as the cause. By defining the
- [Paradigm aids breach identification](https://sme-water.co.uk/portfolio/paradigm-aids-breach-identification/) - Paradigm aids breach identificationParadigm’s ability to characterise problems allows users to prioritise their workload and make sure that the right team is sent to the right area. In this case study, Paradigm correctly sorted an Anglian DMA into the Integrity workstream – successfully signposting what turned out to be an open boundary valve. To review
- [Paradigm proves correct about leakage](https://sme-water.co.uk/portfolio/paradigm-proves-correct-about-leakage/) - Paradigm proves correct about leakageUtilising resources effectively is essential for any successful business, and this goes double for the water industry. Paradigm’s core strength of modelling what should be happening in an area based on its make-up can be of huge benefit when deciding what resources to deploy in an area. In this case study,
- [Paradigm support sees area hit historic low](https://sme-water.co.uk/portfolio/paradigm-support-sees-area-hit-historic-low/) - Paradigm support sees area hit historic lowAreas that have had their leakage target set too high represent a blind spot for water companies. They can mask long term leakage for so long as the natural rate of rise does not creep above the threshold to send in leakage teams. In this case study, Paradigm indicated
- [Paradigm and open boundary valves](https://sme-water.co.uk/portfolio/paradigm-and-open-boundary-valves/) - Paradigm and open boundary valvesEveryone loves a two for one and that’s exactly what finding an open boundary valve delivers, improved confidence in the data from two adjacent areas. In this case study, Paradigm was able to show that two adjacent areas were showing opposite problems in terms of the difference between net flow and

## Draw Attention

- [Cadence Interactive Graphic](https://sme-water.co.uk/?da_image=cadence-interactive-graphic)
- [Paradigm Case Study Map 2](https://sme-water.co.uk/?da_image=paradigm-case-study-map-2)
- [Academy Interactive Graphic 2](https://sme-water.co.uk/?da_image=academy-interactive-graphic-2)
- [Radar Interactive Graphic](https://sme-water.co.uk/?da_image=radar-interactive-graphic)
- [Paradigm Interactive Graphic](https://sme-water.co.uk/?da_image=paradigm-interactive-graphic)
- [Paradigm Case Studies Map](https://sme-water.co.uk/?da_image=paradigm-case-studies-map)
- [Dynamo Interactive Graphic](https://sme-water.co.uk/?da_image=dynamo-interactive-graphic)
- [Academy Interactive Graphic](https://sme-water.co.uk/?da_image=academy-interactive-graphic)
- [Interactive UI Version 2](https://sme-water.co.uk/?da_image=interactive-ui-version-2)
- [Interactive UI](https://sme-water.co.uk/?da_image=interactive-ui)
- [Test](https://sme-water.co.uk/?da_image=test)
- [DMA Graph](https://sme-water.co.uk/?da_image=dma-graph)
- [Weekly Workstreams Module Map](https://sme-water.co.uk/?da_image=weekly-workstreams-module-map)
- [Paradigm Components](https://sme-water.co.uk/?da_image=paradigm-components)

## Categories

- [SME Water](https://sme-water.co.uk/category/sme-water/)
- [Paradigm](https://sme-water.co.uk/category/paradigm/)
- [Dynamo](https://sme-water.co.uk/category/dynamo/)
- [Analysis Techniques](https://sme-water.co.uk/category/analysis-techniques/)
- [Industry Insights](https://sme-water.co.uk/category/industry-insights/)
- [Sonar](https://sme-water.co.uk/category/sonar/)

## Portfolio Categories

- [Paradigm](https://sme-water.co.uk/portfolio_category/paradigm/)
- [Dynamo](https://sme-water.co.uk/portfolio_category/dynamo/)
- [Sonar](https://sme-water.co.uk/portfolio_category/sonar/)