More than 150 automatic water meter readers have been installed across the Southeastern estate, minimising waste at depots and stations .
The new technology now covers 90% of the more than 180 stations and depots across Kent, Sussex, and South East London run by Southeastern.
By sending real-time data to a central hub, the data loggers allow leaks and unusual usage to be quickly detected and repairs arranged.
The new system has already helped Southeastern identify and fix leaks at multiple sites, including Tonbridge Sidings, Otford, Higham and Slade Green, Southeastern’s largest engineering depot in London, where an automatic alarm enabled the repair of a hidden leak that could have taken weeks to locate.
Peter Stapleton, Head of Facilities at Southeastern, said:
“By rolling out automated metering, we can become far more accurate in the way we monitor and consume water.
“This programme marks an important milestone as we continue our journey to reduce waste and protect the environment we all share.”
The data gathered has also enhanced Southeastern’s ability to monitor and diagnose issues remotely. The sustainability team can now distinguish between genuine leaks and short-term consumption spikes caused by cleaning activities or drain unblocking. The system can even detect the impact of faulty toilets and uncontrolled flushing, providing more accurate information than ever before.
Rail is one of the most environmentally friendly ways to travel, and Southeastern is working to driving this further, diverting 99% of waste from landfill, increasing recycling and this year publishing its first Circular Economy Plan, setting out how it will reduce the impact of resources needed to operate our railway.
The operator is also working to involve staff, with its annual gardening competition Southeastern in Bloom returning for a second year, encouraging colleagues to plant gardens at stations and depots.
