Everflow: businesses need better data to manage supply restriction risk

(by Karma Loveday)

60% of all non-household water consumption in England now falls within regions the Environment Agency classifies as seriously water stressed. The most acutely stressed areas span much of the South and East of England, covering regions served by Thames Water, Anglian Water, South East Water and Affinity Water, where demand already outstrips available supply in dry years.

That’s according to retailer Everflow. Its analysis of MOSL data highlighted a growing risk to small businesses around supply reliability, drought driven restrictions and cost visibility, as summer approaches and consumption data remains limited. Everflow pointed out that only around 10% of business meters are smart, and that 10% of business meters go more than 12 months without a read.

Lois Staplehurst, head of public affairs at Everflow, commented: “As we move into spring and the risk of restrictions increases, the combination of low smart meter delivery and long unread meters makes it harder for businesses to plan, budget and respond quickly to leaks and changes in usage. 

“Without this visibility, customers in a drought-affected zones will be less able to manage their consumption effectively, leading to supply restrictions that could have been avoided with better monitoring capabilities for both customers and their providers. Improving that visibility, particularly for SMEs, is one of the most effective ways to build resilience without adding cost or complexity.”