South East Water hits 300,000 digital meter milestone
South East Water has reached a major milestone, with 300,000 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 while supporting long-term water security for the whole community.
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 has expanded to include larger meters for commercial customers and larger properties.
Since starting the rollout in 2018, South East Water’s digital meters have saved an estimated 4.2 billion litres of drinking water and around $19.2 million in reduced customer bills as at June 2026. These savings show how smart technology is delivering 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 150,000 locations. A further 500,000 sensors are planned over the next 4 years, helping reduce water losses and improve 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 104 biggest water users across 355 sites through the DEECA WaterSmart Program. Since January 2025, participating businesses have saved 139 million litres and $527,000 through smart monitoring and early leak detection.
For more information, visit New to digital meters | South East Water
General Manager Enterpise Transformation and Delivery, Andrew Forster-Knight
“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.”
- Image 1: Service Stream Meter Exchange Team Leader Phil Haimona, South East Water Metering Manager Kylie Course, Minister for Water the Hon. Michaela Settle MP, South East Water General Manager Liveable Water Solutions Charlie Littlefair, and Member for Clarinda Mr Meng Heang Tak MP
- Image 2: The Hon. Michaela Settle MP and Mr Meng Heang Tak MP observing a digital meter installation at Dingley Village Neighbourhood Centre
- Image 3: The digital meters provide near real-time water usage readings.