Neeraj Pradhan, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Liquid Kenya
Water is one of the world’s most precious natural resources, so it goes without saying that it must be protected at all costs. In East Africa, increasing urbanisation, ageing infrastructure, and the effects of climate change are all placing a growing strain on water systems. Smart water metering solutions are proving to be an innovative solution that adds value far beyond users’ expectations.
Beyond monthly usage readings
Quite simply, smart metering can be explained as a digital system that automatically measures and records water usage in real-time, eliminating the need for manual readings and reducing human error. However, it goes far beyond that.
Along with empowering utilities, businesses, and individual households to make informed decisions based on real-time data, it also helps to reduce non-revenue water costs. With reports indicating that approximately 47% of the water released for distribution in Kenya remains unaccounted for, this is a key focus area. By reducing these losses through improved leak detection, accurate metering, and real-time monitoring, water utilities can boost revenue collection and unlock greater funding opportunities for water infrastructure development.
There’s also a broader context to be considered. Entities are increasingly being called upon to comply with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks, and countries are expected to make meaningful contributions to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals related to water access. In both instances, smart metering solutions provide the data that makes this possible.
Partnerships for success
Smart water management often takes the form of crucial partnerships between technology companies, such as Liquid Intelligent Technologies, and key stakeholders, including utilities, equipment suppliers, developers, and other relevant parties. These partnerships are the backbone of the outcome-advanced metering infrastructure, supported by robust IoT networks.
For instance, in one growing Kenyan urban hub designed to house a quarter of a million residents and workers, smart ultrasonic meters have automated the entire water monitoring process. Remote data collection, alerts, and real-time dashboards have replaced manual readings and paper reports. The system flags empty pipes or abnormal usage, enabling rapid intervention, reducing losses, and ensuring consistent service.
In another example, challenged by the need for continuous, real-time visibility of equipment usage, a leading East African supplier of water-related equipment partnered with Liquid to implement an IoT remote monitoring solution for their control panels. The result has been an overall improvement in efficiency, the elimination of manual readings and reporting, and the ability to make data-driven decisions.
Another recent strategic partnership has led to the implementation of an end-to-end smart water management system solution across Kenya. This comprehensive solution, powered by Liquid’s extensive network and tailored technology solutions, includes advanced metering infrastructure, IoT networks, and data analytics platforms. It delivers smart water solutions to water utilities and consumers in Kenya, enabling efficient water management and informed decision-making.
All of these outcomes demonstrate the benefits of transitioning from a reactive to a proactive approach to water management. Instead of waiting for infrastructure to fail or communities to report problems, smart systems provide real-time insights that can be acted upon immediately, giving a sense of control and preparedness.
Addressing social and environmental challenges
These digital tools are also proving invaluable in bringing water resources to rural and remote areas. Where traditional systems relied on consumer requests for new connections, municipalities now have a data-driven view of coverage gaps, thanks to geolocation data, consumption mapping, and water quality sensors, allowing them to plan accordingly.
Smart solutions are also contributing to better water quality and environmental health. Sensors that track pH and oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) help to improve soil health and food security in farming communities, while reservoir level sensors provide early warnings of dwindling supplies, enabling timely refills and reducing the risk of taps running dry.
The technology solutions powering smart water systems
Successful smart metering solutions depend on robust, secure connectivity and digital infrastructure. From real-time transmission from field devices to cloud-based platforms, this allows for continuous monitoring, data storage, and advanced analytics. Mobile apps and web dashboards then deliver these insights directly to decision-makers.
Technology providers like Liquid Intelligent Technologies not only supply the digital ecosystem and IoT infrastructure that makes this possible but also understand and anticipate the region’s challenges and tailor solutions accordingly.
Water is a fundamental human right, and technology used correctly can help manage and monitor this precious commodity, thereby safeguarding not only this life-giving resource but also human life.
