Trial installations started in 2012 with smart meters being offered to all households from 2014 on a voluntary basis. The Dutch public and private sectors have established the Netherlands Water Partnership (NWP). The principal aim of the NWP is to co-ordinate Dutch activities abroad and to promote Dutch expertise in the water field worldw ide.4 The Netherlands is seeking to be seen as a world leader in sustainable water management. As customer interests are not normally taken into account, utilities can encounter unexpected opposition and not be able to respond to it, therefore rendering policy impotent.