Digitalisation in the water sector: Smart metering and communication technologies unlock new potentials
Image credit: Kamstrup
The water sector is undergoing a technological transformation, driven by the rapid advancements in digitalisation.
By adopting smart metering and advanced communication technologies, utilities across the globe are making significant improvements to secure a sustainable future with reduced water losses.
Additional benefits include decreased non-revenue water, enhanced transparency, increased customer satisfaction, and reduced manual labour.
Smart metering: Key to transparency in the water sector
One of the most promising advancements in the digitalisation of the water sector is the implementation of smart metering.
Smart meters not only offer the benefit of accurate billing but also play a crucial role in detecting anomalies in the water distribution network. For instance, a sudden spike in water usage can trigger an automatic alert, enabling utilities to swiftly address potential leaks or bursts.
”Efficient operations in the water utilities are critically important to ensure a sustainable source of clean water for our communities,” says Henrik Jensen, Senior Vice President of Water, Kamstrup.
“Adoption of the latest technologies within connectivity, sensors, software, and AI will be crucial to succeed.”
Tackling non-revenue water through digital solutions
Non-revenue water remains a significant challenge for water utilities globally. Digitalisation offers a pathway to effectively combat this issue. By integrating smart meters with advanced data analytics, utilities can gain deeper insights into where and how water losses occur. This information is invaluable for prioritising maintenance efforts and implementing targeted interventions.
Moreover, digital solutions such as acoustic leak detection are revolutionising the approach to leak management. Traditional methods of leak detection often involve time-consuming manual inspections, which are not only labour-intensive but also typically targeting leaks that have already grown significant.
In contrast, smart meters equipped with acoustic sensors can continuously monitor the distribution network, identifying potential leaks based on the noise generated by water escaping from pipes. This approach allows utilities to address leaks before they become critical, reducing water loss and preventing costly damage.
In Söderhamn, Sweden, smart meters with acoustic leak detection have reduced water losses from 31% to 25% amounting to savings worth €45,700/year. In Vacarisses, Spain, the same meters have saved more than €70,000/year in non-revenue water, while in Ghana the national water supplier has reduced its water loss by more than 25% in six years using smart meters.
The role of communication technologies
Effective communication technologies are integral to the success of digitalisation in the water sector. The data collected by smart meters needs to be transmitted reliably and securely to utility companies for analysis and decision-making. Modern communication networks enable seamless data transfer from meters to centralised systems.
These technologies ensure that utilities have real-time access to actionable insights, allowing for timely interventions and informed decision-making.
German utility WasserZweckVerband Warndt experiences pivotal benefits from applying smart meters in the water distribution network. With accurate and automatically transferred consumption data, the utility now offers customer service at a significantly higher level, including the ability to notify households about potential leaks. With the technology of smart meters, the actual reading process of individual households’ water consumption has been reduced from two months to two-three days per year.
Additionally, communication technologies enhance customer engagement by providing consumers with detailed information about their water usage. This transparency empowers individuals to manage their consumption more effectively, contributing to overall water conservation efforts.
Future value for water utilities
The digital transformation of the water sector is not just about solving current challenges; it is also about preparing for the future.
For tomorrow’s water utilities, digitalisation will unlock new avenues of value creation by helping utilities transition from reactive to predictive maintenance, anticipating issues before they arise and optimising resource allocation.
Looking ahead: A digital future for water management
As we look towards the future, digitalisation will continue to play a pivotal role in addressing the challenges facing the water industry. By embracing technological opportunities, utilities can not only safeguard their resources but also contribute to a more sustainable society. The tools and knowledge are already available; now is the time to harness them fully.
In our e-book: The benefits of digitalisation, we explore how utilities can reap the benefits of digitalisation in the water sector.
About the company
Kamstrup: Driven by a passion for innovation, we’ve spent over 70 years advancing intelligent electricity, water, heat and cooling solutions. We empower customers with advanced tools and data to make informed decisions and inspire their communities. Committed to sustainable energy and water supply, we deliver innovative metering solutions worldwide.
