Overview

A field survey of existing service connections is a critical foundation for a water metering programme. It provides an evidence-based understanding of the condition and suitability of connections and potential meter locations—information that is often incomplete or unreliable in existing asset data sets. By capturing real-world data on connection types, valve condition, and installation environments, the survey underpins accurate cost estimates, strengthens business case assumptions, and clearly defines programme scope, reducing investment uncertainty and programme risk and ensuring the Economic Case is grounded in verified network conditions.

The survey provides greater confidence in key design and delivery assumptions, particularly around the proportion of connections and manifolds that can accommodate smart meters without additional civil works or modifications or where check meters maybe required. These insights directly influence construction cost estimates and implementation risks. Field data also informs technology selection by identifying where concentric or inline meters can be installed, and where valve replacements or pipe adjustments may be required.

Survey findings support more accurate staging, scheduling, and resourcing of construction activities. Information on valve depths, surface types, and reinstatement environments helps plan reinstatement methods and streamline field operations. The survey also enables better risk management by identifying likely access issues — such as buried, seized, or missing valves — that could otherwise cause delays or customer disruption.[JF1] 

Ultimately, a well-planned network connection field assessment lays the groundwork for a smoother, more efficient, and cost-effective rollout of metering infrastructure. It turns assumptions into facts, reduces uncertainty, and ensures the design, procurement, and customer engagement processes are grounded in real network conditions.

Survey planning

The survey should capture everything that affects whether and how a water meter can be installed, the type and condition of existing infrastructure, the surrounding environment, and the ease of access for construction, reading and maintenance.

The field assessment survey should be completed during the investigations phase, before finalising the Economic Case.

Surveying every connection in a network, however, is rarely practical or necessary. Well-designed samples can provide statistically reliable insights at a fraction of the cost, time, and disruption. The objective is not to inspect every site, but to collect enough representative data to inform robust estimates, validate assumptions, and guide planning decisions with confidence.

Define what surveys need to establish

• • The compatibility of existing service connections for mechanical meter or smart meter installation.

  • Valve types, depths, and installation and reinstatement environments across the network.

  • Valve, box and pipe conditions

  • Commercial vs residential connections

  • Multi-residential property connections

Statistical validity of samples

• • Select a statistically valid sample of residential connections (e.g. 95% confidence, 5–8% margin of error).[JF2] 

  • Ensure distribution across different network areas, property types, urban densities, and construction eras.

Think digital capture for efficient analysis

·         Plan for field collection using digital tools, with GPS-tagged data and photos.

Consider how the survey can be informed by and improve existing asset records (GIS, as-builts, etc.)

Health, Safety, and Wellbeing

A health and safety assessment is essential before any field survey to identify and manage potential risks to personnel and the public. Even for non-invasive surveys, staff may be exposed to hazards such as traffic within the road reserve, uneven ground, overgrown vegetation, and potential contact with sharp objects or discarded needles when inspecting valve boxes or working in long grass.

Survey planning should also address fatigue management and lone-worker safety, ensuring appropriate check-in procedures, regular breaks, and clear communication systems for staff working in dispersed or remote areas.

The assessment should follow standard field safety procedures and provide a documented framework for safe working practices, including incident response and escalation protocols.

Together, these measures ensure compliance with organisational and legislative health and safety requirements while maintaining staff wellbeing throughout the programme.

Types of Data to be Collected

The scope of the field survey will primarily be defined by pre-existing data on service connections, but may include a selection of the following types of data:

• Whether a service valve was found and its

  • location (berm, driveway, garden, footpath, carriageway etc.),

  • depth (from the ground surface),

  • type (manifold, globe, ball, gate, diaphragm)

  • condition and operability

  • corresponding asset record

• Service valve (toby) box material: plastic, concrete, cast iron, etc.;

• Service connection pipe material, diameter and condition

• Presence/characteristics of leaks on the service connection

• Surface and reinstatement environment: grass, concrete, asphalt, pavers, gravel, coloured concrete, etc.

• Accessibility anomalies: missing, buried, obstructed, multiple valves, or on private property.

• Presence/proximity of other utilities

• Photographic record (geotagged) of every site.

• Meter fit testing: 3-D printed “model” meters used to test manifold compatibility and lid closure.

• Network signal strength for smart meter installations (ideally measured within the toby box) 

Analytical insights

The field data should feed into:

• Quantitative models — informing project budget cost estimates.

• Install complexity assessments — easy, moderate, or complex installations.

• Technology selection — proportion suitable for concentric vs. inline meters.

• Programme phasing — prioritising areas to inform staging.[JF3] 

• Risk registers — identifying installation challenges such as buried/inaccessible valves or deteriorating service connections.

By validating assumptions in the real world, the field assessment survey bridges planning and delivery. It provides the factual base for procurement specifications, installation pricing, and communication planning, ensuring that each meter installed is part of a programme built on evidence, not estimation.

Useful resources for this stage