Data loggers to be installed in Te Aakau as part of digital water meter trial
During the first two weeks of April 2026, we’ll be installing a new type of data logger on existing water meters on 27 properties in Te Aakau, as part of a pilot programme being run by IAWAI, the new publicly-owned water company formed by Waikato District and Hamilton City councils, working in partnership with Waikato-Tainui, to manage drinking water and wastewater services.
The three-month trial will help IAWAI understand whether these types of meters are more efficient, provide more accurate readings, and work effectively in a rural setting. The data logger will allow us to also read your water meter remotely.
What the trial means for you:
- No change in how you pay for water, or the price you are charged for water during the trial
- No disruption to your water supply while the data logger is being installed
- The trial will be for three months during which time the data logger will send water meter readings automatically to IAWAI
- Your water meter will continue to be read manually as usual, to ensure continuity throughout the trial
- If you have any water-related issues, please continue to contact Waikato District Council.
This pilot is all about learning – it will test how the data loggers are installed, how they work, and how you can track your water use.
If you have any questions, please email communitypilot@hcc.govt.nz.
A data logger like this will be installed on the existing water meters of 27 properties in Te Aakau
Water meter trial
IAWAI – Flowing Waters, the joint waters company formed by Hamilton City Council and Waikato District Council, is running a pilot programme to help shape future decisions on residential water meters.
Waikato District Council households already have water meters – these were installed in 2017. The water meter pilot includes testing upgrades to a small number of meters in Te Aakau.
Te Aakau has been chosen because it’s location will allow IAWAI to test the technology in a rural setting. The trial will focus on automated meter reading technology, which provides more accurate and timely water-use data. It will help us understand the benefits of upgrading existing meters and inform future decisions about water management in our district.
Why are we trialling upgrades?
- To test the performance of automated meter reading in a live community setting.
- To understand how the technology can improve efficiency and reduce manual servicing costs.
- To gather data on customer experience and water-use patterns.
What about Hamilton?
At the same time, Hamilton City is running its own pilot with around 200 voluntary households in Hamilton East, where residential water meters have not yet been introduced. That pilot is about testing installations, customer feedback, and potential costs for a future city-wide rollout. The cost of this trial is being funded by Hamilton City Council. Find out more about the
Hamilton City pilot.
What this means for Waikato district households?
Looking ahead
The Government has set a five-year transition for councils to move away from property value-based charging for water. Waikato District Council is already ahead of the curve, with residential water metering in place. This pilot is about making sure our systems remain fit-for-purpose, efficient, and able to support sustainable water use for our communities.