Young Innovators come together to share ideas on promoting water meters
Posted: 29 July 2025
Earlier this month, we welcomed 21 students from sixth forms and colleges across the region to take part in our latest Young Innovators’ Panel.
Image description: Students from the Young Innovators' Panel standing with staff members from South Staffs Water
The Young Innovators’ Panel is a programme that began in 2019 and brings together the next generation of customers to share ideas on a particular challenge facing the water sector.
This year, the Panel were tasked by us and our research partner, Blue Marble, to come up with ideas on how social media could be used to promote the benefits of water meters.
Over the next five years, we will be installing over 160,000 meters across our region to give more customers control over their water bill, and encourage smarter water use, which will have a positive impact on the environment.
Meters will also help us to detect leaks faster on customers’ properties, something we are committed to reducing in all areas.
Image description: Two students writing down ideas on A3 paper
Across two days, the Young Innovators were taken through how our company operates, meeting leaders from across the business who explained more about the challenges facing our industry.
The students were then organised into teams and briefed to create a social media campaign to promote the benefits of having a water meter installed, before presenting their ideas back to a panel of experts from the business, including managing director, Elena Karpathakis.
Image description: Managing Director, Elena Karpathakis, standing with the winning team from our Young Innovators' Panel pitch activity
Heidi Knapton, Head of Universal Metering, commented: "We’re really pleased with how engaged this year’s cohort were with the programme, and they have given us plenty of great ideas that we can reflect upon and consider.
"Metering is a key focus for the business, and whilst this will bring many benefits to customers, we understand that some may find this daunting, and so it’s important that we find ways to effectively engage with all of our customers, including the next generation of bill payers."
One of the students added: "It’s been interesting learning about the water industry and working with other students who have different views from mine.
"Coming here helped me understand how we can be more sustainable and use water in a more efficient way, and speak to my family about the benefits of having a water meter.
"It has also given me the opportunity to develop certain skills, particularly around communication, listening to others and working together in a group."
The Young Innovators’ Panel allows students to learn more about the inner workings of the utility sector and submit ideas that can help influence the services that the business offers.