The new area of water supply: digital methods for water loss management

Drought and heat periods have always been a problem in other countries and continents but in recent years, Germany and whole Europe are feeling the consequences of the climate change. Many utility companies aren’t prepared for it as Germany has always been a country with access to abundant, high-quality water and a good infrastructure. However, utilities will be responsible for being a mindful supplier of one of the most valuable resources.

In this article, Dr. Kilian Semmelmann, Head of Analytics and Services at Diehl Metering, will shed light on the digital revolution in water supply and how it will help to overcome the challenges we face.

Techniques to detect leakages

If a resource is limited, it is important to manage its use in the best way possible and limit losses to a minimum. The so called “Non-Revenue Water” (NRW) is a common problem we face in even the most reliable infrastructures.

The reasons for water losses are divers. They can be caused by necessary discharges, misusage of material or, the most common one, leakages from damaged pipes. Non-Revenue Water always leads to financial burdens and can cause severe damage to the infrastructure, water contamination or even flooding, if not detected on time. On the other hand, we lose valuable drinking water – worldwide it is estimated that 1/3 of water can’t be used for its purpose.

Of course, material wear and damages can’t always be prevented but we can change the way we deal with it, especially when it comes to methods that help detecting leakages. Most water providers still rely on a combination of operational systems like SCADA, specialized hardware such as Noise Loggers, and manual fieldwork. They often depend on public reports of surface water issues.

The initial step involves analyzing "Minimum Night Flows" to detect unusual water usage at night, indicative of potential leaks. After that, they work on pinpointing the leaks, which can be a time-consuming process, especially for extensive water networks. In the future, utilities will need to think of faster and more efficient methods for leak detection to limit water losses to a minimum.

We believe that the future of water management lies in the intelligent combination of hardware and software. The collection and analysis of data are central to building a sustainable water infrastructure.

Digitization of water management

The use of Smart Meters, in conjunction with internal data, can provide real-time insights into water usage, helping to detect and respond to leaks promptly. Becoming more data-driven and implementing automated systems can significantly reduce manual efforts. For instance, specialized hardware and predictive analytics can estimate leak locations without physical intervention. These systems can continuously monitor the network's condition and alert staff to issues, ensuring a proactive approach to water management.

Digital tools can support municipalities on their journey towards sustainability and water loss reduction, regardless of their digital maturity. We encourage all water providers and municipalities to explore these solutions and collaborate for a more sustainable future recognizing the importance of the way we use, consume and supply of one of the most valuable resources – water.