India’s water sector faces various challenges related to management and distribution. Existing water resources are currently under pressure due to rapid population growth and urbanisation. High levels of non-revenue water (NRW) further exacerbate this issue, contributing to water scarcity and resource depletion. NRW includes losses due to leakages and overflows at various stages of water distribution, inaccuracies in meters, unbilled consumption and thefts. Another significant contributor to NRW is ageing infrastructure, which is prone to leakages. A key step in addressing NRW is the measurement or quantification of its extent. Under AMRUT 2.0, India aims to reduce NRW to 20 per cent from the current level of over 40 per cent.
From a financial perspective, NRW represents lost revenue potential for water utilities, while still bearing the costs of transmitting water that is not accounted for. More importantly, the limited water resources when lost due to leakages or overuse raises serious environmental concerns. Such inefficiencies in the use and management of this essential resource could lead to serious shortages in the future.
To address this, water utilities across the country are taking significant measures to reduce NRW levels. These include leak detection, network mapping, replacement of ageing pipelines, integration of technologies such as smart meters and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), and ensuring 24×7 water supply. These initiatives are crucial for achieving the country’s NRW targets.
Smart meter deployment
The implementation of smart water meters has been a tried-and-tested method for effective water management and NRW reduction. These intelligent meters provide automated
readings and real-time records of water
usage. The data can be used for effective billing and can be accessed by customers through a designated platform. These meters play a critical role in tackling NRW by identifying leaks. Pilot smart metering projects across various regions have shown promising results, notably reducing NRW levels. Encouraged by these outcomes, various states and urban local bodies have stepped up efforts to expand smart meter deployment.
Goa
As part of the Smart Cities Mission, a pilot project was implemented in Panaji, where 3,094 of the 7,200 houses registered under the Corporation of the City of Panaji were equipped with smart meters and internet of things (IoT) systems. Flowmeters and pressure transmitters were fitted along the conveying main lines from Opa to Panaji, enabling real-time data and monitoring. These meters helped address issues related to faulty water meters, tampering, leakages and inaccurate readings. The pilot led to a significant reduction in NRW, with levels dropping from 38 per cent to 15 per cent. Based on this success, the project is likely to be implemented in other parts of Goa.
Bengaluru
The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is also taking initiatives to reduce NRW levels, particularly unaccounted-for water (UFW), that is, the difference between the total water supplied and the water billed to customers. As per reports, as of December 2024, UFW levels for BWSSB stood at over 30 per cent, down from 48 per cent in 2007. Plans are under way to implement Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled smart water meters. In the first phase, 2,000 smart water meters will be installed for bulk consumers in public-private partnership mode. If successful, the project will be scaled up to 98,000 meters. In addition to providing real-time data, it will facilitate the detection of leakages and abnormal usage patterns. Infrastructure Development Corporation Karnataka Limited will provide transaction advisory services. BWSSB is also considering the deployment of digital ultrasonic or electromagnetic flowmeters, which can be integrated into a centralised SCADA system.
Thane
As of October 2024, over 105,000 smart water meters have been installed across the city of Thane by the Thane Municipal Corporation and Thane Smart City Limited. This smart water meter project was launched in collaboration with Palladium. The meters are equipped with automatic meter reading technology, enabling water audits and helping reduce NRW and water leakages, with the aim of reducing water wastage by up to 15 per cent.
Mumbai
NRW levels in Mumbai currently stand at around 34 per cent. The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) is responsible for conducting water audits and monitoring, identifying leakages and tracking NRW. It has implemented the AQUA billing system, which features an entirely online billing process. Recently, the MCGM also undertook a study to assess the implementation of digital meters in Mumbai, and compare their performance with that of conventional meters.
Hyderabad
The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) has launched a water audit initiative, which involves the installation of flowmeters on a trial basis to measure water supply under the Osman Nagar reservoirs in Tellapur. This initiative will help monitor water flow and identify leakages or unauthorised connections. Based on the results, the audit system may be implemented in other reservoirs as well. Apart from this, HMWSSB has adopted smart valve technology for distribution pipelines, following successful trial results at Sanathnagar.
Chennai
The Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board is planning to install 100,000 smart water meters integrated with a billing system. Currently, residential and commercial buildings equipped with mechanical meters featuring automated meter reading, are characterised by inaccurate readings and lack proper accountability for residential and commercial usage. The first phase targets bulk customers including the Tamil Nadu Housing Board, and commercial and high-rise buildings. The project is expected to generate additional revenue for the department, help prevent water wastage and promote accountability.
Delhi
The Delhi Jal Board (DJB) continues to struggle with the issue of NRW. However, steps are being taken to reduce these levels. As per the budget speech of 2025-26, the Delhi government has allocated Rs 1.5 billion for automation, SCADA systems and intelligent metering to improve water management. Moreover, DJB is planning to collaborate with other organisations for effective identification of water losses.
Other initiatives for NRW reduction
Apart from smart meters, the implementation of 24×7 water supply in certain areas has contributed to reducing NRW. For example, during a pilot project for 24×7 water supply in the Bani Park and Bajaj Nagar areas of Jaipur, NRW levels dropped significantly from 33 per cent to 21 per cent.
Moreover, leak detection methods have undergone notable improvements over the years, reducing the need for extensive digging up of roads for fixing leaks or undertaking maintenance. As of November 2024, the Kerala Water Authority plans to implement around 200 flow meters to identify leaks in Thiruvananthapuram. By installing these meters at manholes, leakages can be identified by checking the difference between the force of water flow at delivery and supply points. DJB is also using helium leakage detection technology to identify leaks in pipelines.
In sum
Recent pilot projects and deployments have demonstrated that smart meters significantly contribute to reducing NRW levels. While the initial cost is high, the long-term benefits continue to drive its implementation. Smart meters also promote consumer involvement in water management. The ability to monitor consumption patterns is expected to drive awareness among consumers, help make more informed decisions and promote water conservation. Looking ahead, India has the potential to further integrate AI, internet of things and predictive analytics into the water network to address water loss, both in terms of resources and revenue.
