Smart water meters remain a sustainable solution to the global water crisis

Last week’s commemoration of World Water Day was significant across the globe. This year’s theme: Groundwater: Making the invisible visible. According to the World Water Development Report 2022, groundwater accounts for approximately 99% of all liquid freshwater on Earth, groundwater has the potential to provide societies with tremendous social, economic and environmental benefits and opportunities. Groundwater already provides half of the volume of water withdrawn for domestic use by the global population, including the drinking water for the vast majority of the rural population who do not get their water delivered to them via public or private supply systems, and around 25% of all water withdrawn for irrigation. However, this natural resource is often poorly understood, and consequently undervalued, mismanaged and even abused.

In South Africa, the drought in the Western, Eastern and Northern Cape has been elevated to Natural Disaster status – unlocking emergency government funding for relief for water scarce areas. In 2018, the National Water and Sanitation Master Plan identified a water supply deficit of 17% by 2030.

Water scarcity is not only a problem in South Africa, it is a global threat that is negatively affecting our lives. According to the United Nations (UN), around 1.2 billion people are already living in areas affected by water scarcity. By the end of 2025, this number is estimated to grow substantially, tempting two-third of the world population to live in water-stressed conditions. It is therefore necessary to take preventive measures immediately in order to fight the world drought.

While there is pressure on the local and national government to implement quick solutions, the responsibility should also be carried by the private sector to implement solutions to their infrastructure and invest in smart technologies in order to control commercial and industrial water consumption.

READ: US $18.6 M invested in water and sanitation programme in Mozambique

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) has encouraged the enhancement in disruptive technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence. This has influenced the development of smart water management systems. These systems are embedded with autonomous features and high-end telematics that allow users to view consumption patterns in monetary value and detect anomalies in the water distribution network; allowing for quick repairs and direct saving of water resources.

“Smart water meters have proved to be an sustainable solution for managing water resources by reducing wastage and costs, both through leak detection, timely water consumption feedback and changing customer behaviour. We have witnessed these improvements through the projects we have been involved in and remain confident that smart water meters remain the sustainable solutions to the water crisis around the world. The results produced by smart water meters prove that this solution can help drought stricken South Africa improve water consumption and save water that is carelessly lost due to water leaks and poor infrastructure.” stated Edwin Sibiya, CEO of Lesira-Teq

With the climate change and increase in urbanization, urban cities will continue to face a shortage of water resources. Public and private sector need to address the growing demand, rising energy prices and outdated water systems; or the utilities will not be able to fight the water crisis in South Africa.

Water is our lifeline. There is no alternative to it. It is therefore very important for us to optimally utilize the 2% of earth’s usable water. A smart water meter is a powerful tool that has enabled us to reduce water wastage and consume it wisely. In our fight against the water crisis, smart water meters are going to help utilities provide clean water to everyone and drastically reduce the drought-affected areas and locations with water shortages in the world.