The Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC) in Kenya is preparing a large-scale rollout of ultrasonic smart water meters across Nairobi as part of a wider effort to modernise service delivery and reduce system losses.
The initiative, announced in the Kenya Gazette received approval from the Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB) for implementation during the 2025/2026 to 2028/2029 tariff period. The project carries a total cost of US $19.9M, which will be funded through the newly sanctioned tariff framework.
Unlike conventional mechanical meters that depend on moving components prone to deterioration and interference, the new devices operate using ultrasonic technology. They measure water consumption by sending sound pulses through flowing water and calculating usage based on the time taken for the signals to travel. This method improves precision, particularly at low flow levels, and reduces wear and tear.
The meters are designed to transmit usage data automatically through communication systems such as GSM, LoRaWAN, and NB-IoT. The information will be fed into a centralised monitoring platform capable of identifying unusual pressure patterns, detecting possible leaks, and supporting predictive maintenance. NCWSC has also earmarked US $930,000 for an artificial intelligence-driven leak detection system scheduled for introduction in the 2027/2028 and 2028/2029 financial years. The AI component is expected to strengthen the company’s ability to detect hidden leaks and irregular consumption trends.
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Prepaid features and infrastructure upgrades
The utility currently estimates non-revenue water at about 54%, meaning more than half of treated water does not generate income due to leaks, illegal connections, or billing gaps. Through the smart metering programme, NCWSC aims to lower this figure to 39 percent by the end of the 2028/2029 financial year.
The first phase will target high-volume consumers using more than 100 cubic metres per month before expanding to other customer groups. In addition to household meters, inline ultrasonic devices will be installed along bulk supply and distribution pipelines to measure water movement across the network. Treatment plants and storage reservoirs will also be fitted with smart meters to monitor output entering the system.
The system will introduce prepaid functionality, allowing customers to purchase water credit in advance. Once the credit is depleted, supply will automatically pause until additional credit is loaded. The programme also includes replacing thousands of faulty or outdated meters and installing prepaid water dispensing units in selected areas. By digitising monitoring and billing processes, the utility expects to improve revenue collection, reduce disputes over estimated bills, and provide consumers with clearer insight into their water usage. Ultimately, the project is intended to build a more efficient and transparent water supply system capable of meeting the demands of a growing urban population.
