SWAN Releases Global Smart Metering Playbook To Guide Utilities Across Every Stage Of AMR/AMI Adoption
The Smart Water Networks Forum (SWAN) has released the global Smart Metering Playbook, a comprehensive new resource developed through a Water Research Foundation (WRF)-funded project aimed at helping water utilities navigate the complexities of smart metering, namely automated meter reading (AMR) and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) programs. The playbook draws on input from more than 80 contributors, including utilities, engineering firms, and technology providers across 22 countries. That broad mix of perspectives reflects the different realities utilities face depending on their geography, regulations, and day-to-day operations.
Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all roadmap, the playbook is organized to meet utilities where they are — whether they’re just starting to explore smart metering or already working toward full deployment and optimization. It walks through key considerations across technical, organizational, and strategic areas, from metering and data integration to procurement, implementation, customer engagement, and change management. By framing guidance around stages of maturity instead of a single “right” approach, it recognizes that every utility is coming from a different place and dealing with its own set of challenges as it moves forward with smart metering initiatives.
“Municipal smart metering represents a critical investment for water utilities globally — yet, until now, many embarking on this journey have done so without a clear roadmap,” said Shirley Ben-Dak, Senior Advisor at SWAN Forum and Principal Investigator for the WRF project (Project 5261). “Drawing on the collective expertise of more than 50 utilities, engineering firms, and technology partners across 22 countries, this playbook serves as a practical guide through the evolving smart metering landscape. It helps organizations understand their position along the maturity curve while offering key considerations and strategies to progress with confidence.”
According to SWAN, the project was intentionally structured to capture real-world lessons from utilities that have already advanced along the smart metering journey, including both successes and challenges explored via SWAN's Smart Metering Community of Practice. The goal was to help utilities avoid common missteps — the kind that can lead to costly operational and financial setbacks, especially when major, long-term infrastructure investments are on the line.
At the same time, contributors stress that simply installing meters isn’t where the real value lies. What matters most is how well that data is put to use — specifically, how it’s integrated into day-to-day operations to inform decisions and improve overall system performance.
“What we have collectively produced here as a global contributing team is only the starting point for a more comprehensive smart metering strategy,” said Freddie Guerra, Digital Water Market Leader at GHD and Co-Principal Investigator for the project. “To realize further benefits at scale, AMI needs to be embedded within a broader operating model that connects usage data with pressure management, asset condition, and operational controls — enabling losses to be identified and addressed in a systematic way.”
Guerra added that smart metering also plays an increasingly important role in customer engagement, enabling leak alerts, targeted usage insights, and demand management programs that can reduce both apparent and real losses while easing peak demand and stress on infrastructure.
Procurement strategy is another recurring theme throughout the playbook. Rather than treating AMI procurement as a transactional exercise, contributors highlight the importance of cross functional coordination and long term planning.
“Utilities that succeed with smart metering treat procurement as a strategic enabler, not an administrative step,” said active contributor Tertius Rust, Founder and Executive Director of The Innovation Consulting Company. “AMI programs cut across billing, IT, operations, and customer engagement — and in fast growing markets, that coordination becomes even more critical. The Playbook aims to provide practical guidance so utilities can move from ambition to sustainable implementation.”
The Smart Metering Playbook is intended to be accessible to utilities of all sizes and organizational structures, whether they are just beginning to explore AMR/AMI or seeking to expand the value of existing deployments. By consolidating global experience into a single, maturity based framework, SWAN and its project partners aim to provide the water sector with a shared reference point for informed decision-making.
The Smart Metering Playbook is available for free through the Water Research Foundation’s Public Plus platform. Utilities and industry professionals can download the full document by scanning the QR code and registering for a free individual WRF Public Plus account.
