The Water Authority–Cayman has completed a pilot project testing smart-metering technology, marking a new step in efforts to modernise the Cayman Islands’ water-distribution network.

The Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) pilot began in February and tested two smart-metering systems and two communications technologies under local conditions. The technology automatically collects water-consumption data, reducing the need for manual meter readings.

Smart meters could provide consumption information at intervals as frequent as 10 to 15 minutes, helping the authority identify unusual usage patterns and potential leaks more quickly. The additional data could also support efforts to monitor water losses across the distribution network.

Water Authority Director Dr Gelia Frederick van Genderen said completing the pilot was a milestone in the authority’s plans to modernise its infrastructure. The smart meters installed for the pilot will remain in place, although their communications functions have been deactivated and the meters will currently be read manually for billing.

The authority will analyse the pilot data over the coming months before deciding whether to develop a wider AMI deployment business case and procurement strategy.

The project could eventually give Cayman’s water sector more detailed, near-real-time information on consumption and network performance.