Smart meters saving water and enhancing animal care at SA zoos

Zoos SA is saving water and money through an innovative partnership with SA Water, with additional smart meters recently installed at Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Safari Park transforming how water use is monitored and managed across both sites.

A total of 14 smart meters are now operating at Monarto Safari Park, providing Zoos SA with greater visibility of water use from multiple sources across the 1,500-hectare site as well as live alerts on potential water leaks.

SA Water will also soon install an additional 2 new smart meters at Adelaide Zoo to help determine the cause of any higher-than-expected water use for specific operations.

This brings the total number of smart meters across SA Zoos sites to 17 and builds on the success of the existing suite of smart meters which continue to provide a detailed analysis of water use across the zoo’s network including for Giant Pandas Xing Qiu and Yi Lan. In a single year, smart meters at Adelaide Zoo have helped save up to 15 million litres of water by identifying previously undetected leaks, reducing the zoo’s costs by around $20,000.

The smart technology uses devices attached to existing water meters, with water use data transmitted in real-time to an online portal. This allows Zoos SA to monitor usage at an hourly level, identify abnormal patterns, detect previously hidden leaks, and receive SMS and email alerts when water consumption exceeds expected levels.

SA Water’s General Manager of Customer, Community and Engagement David Coombe said the collaboration with Zoos SA demonstrates a proactive approach to supporting large water users to become more sustainable.

“Adelaide Zoo and Monarto Safari Park are incredibly complex environments with large open spaces and unique water needs,” David said.

“By combining this technology with hands-on technical support, we’ve been able to help Zoos SA identify any issues early, make informed decisions and achieve meaningful, long-term savings – rather than waiting for their water bill to arrive to see any excess water consumption.

“This isn’t just about reducing water use – it’s about knowing where the water is going and ensuring it’s used in the most efficient and beneficial way.”

Zoos SA General Manager Operations Jeff Lugg said the outcomes reflect a shared commitment to sustainability.

“Every litre saved is a win for the environment and a win for the animals we care for. This work helps us protect precious resources while continuing to deliver conservation outcomes with lasting impact,” Jeff said.

“The insights we’ve gained through SA Water’s smart technology has been game changing. We can now identify leaks we didn’t know existed, reduce our reliance on mains water and ensure that every drop is used where it matters most – caring for our animals and maintaining our sites.”

David said this project highlights the value in cross-organisational partnerships with SA Water.

“Our Business Solutions team works closely with organisations across several sectors – including health, education, government, manufacturing, food and beverage and horticulture – and we’re seeing strong results wherever smart meters are installed,” David said.

“We encourage other large organisations to contact us and discover how this technology can help them better understand their water use, reduce costs and support long-term sustainability.”

Additionally, as part of a long-standing corporate partnership agreement with Zoos SA, SA Water provides raw water from the River Murray to Monarto Safari Park, supporting habitats for elephants, rhinos and other animal species, complementing the organisation’s broader conservation efforts.

For more information on SA Water’s smart meter technology, visit sawater.com.au.