In September 2025, two high-profile moves in the U.K. water sector underscored growing momentum behind investments in smart sewer systems. On 9 September, Anglian Water awarded a US$186 million contract to Metasphere to establish a sewer monitoring framework in collaboration with UDlive and Technolog Holdings. This initiative will involve installing tens of thousands of level sensors throughout Anglian’s network, demonstrating the utility’s commitment to adopting distributed, real-time sensing for effective wastewater management.
Meanwhile, on 18 September, Thames Water issued a procurement notice for a large-scale sewer mapping program covering Greater London and the Thames Valley. This program will include aerial surveys, asset detection, and automated inference of unmapped pipework. It aims to address critical data gaps that have historically hindered proactive asset management.
Together, these initiatives mark a shift from episodic upgrades toward integrated, data-driven network visibility. This transition lays the groundwork for predictive maintenance, faster fault resolution, and reduced environmental risks. In short, the business case for smart sewers is no longer just theoretical; substantial capital commitments are now backing it.
