Southend-on-Sea City Council has officially launched a new digital network on lampposts to help improve water usage.
The Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN) in Southend will support smart water meters and other technologies that use data to improve public services, which includes supporting the rollout of smart water to detect leaks sooner, enhance billing accuracy and decrease water waste.
The system uses low-powered sensors to gather and send data over long distances without needing Wi-Fi or mobile networks.
Councillor Kevin Robinson, cabinet member for planning, property and governance, said: "Supporting the rollout of smart water meters is a great example of how technology can make a real difference, helping to reduce water waste and improve services for residents.
"We are pleased to be working to bring these benefits to our communities."
Built on Southend’s 280km full-fibre network, LoRaWAN will support smarter public services. This includes early flood detection, air quality monitoring, and alerts when vulnerable residents may need assistance.
Two separate LoRaWAN systems will run in Southend. One is managed by the council for public sector use and innovation. The second is operated by technology company Connexin, which is working with Essex and Suffolk Water on the smart water metering scheme. Connexin will use some of the council’s network capacity.
Originally, Connexin planned to install around 260 new masts. However, after discussions with the council’s ICT team, the company agreed to use existing streetlight poles instead. This reduces the need for new infrastructure and keeps the project less intrusive.
The sensors do not collect personal data, images, or video.
The first large-scale use of the network will support the introduction of smart water meters across Essex and Suffolk. These meters can spot leaks earlier, give more accurate billing, and help cut down on water waste.
LoRaWAN will also support wider digital inclusion efforts, community hubs, and public projects. The project aims to make city services smarter and more proactive in the long term.
Residents who would like to find out more or have questions about the installation can: