City aims to introduce smart water meter system to increase water use efficiency

The City of Cape Town hosts an exclusive workshop from Feb 28 to Mar 1, welcoming international utilities and Smart Water Network Forum (SWAN) members to explore smart water metering infrastructure.

SWAN, a global non-profit organization, accelerates the adoption of data-driven solutions in water networks globally, bringing together utilities, experts, and solution providers.

The workshop aligns with the City’s plans to implement smart water meters, with a R25 million investment in the current financial year, aiming to advance the smart water metering program.

The Western Cape is a semi-arid region, with almost all of its water catchment areas found entirely within the province’s boundaries, receiving no additional water supply from the interior. It is also one of the fastest-growing provinces in terms of population, and migrants from the Eastern Cape have placed an increasing burden on infrastructure, necessitating large-scale adaptation.

Cape Town faced severe water scarcity in 2018 after a once-in-four-centuries drought dropped reservoir levels to an unprecedented low. “Day Zero,” when taps would be shut off, was narrowly avoided through joint efforts.

Urban population growth and water competition heightened the hydrological drought. Without action, a 17% water deficit in South Africa is projected by 2030.

The crisis prompted risk assessments, stakeholder engagement, and regulatory changes. A Water Resilience Task Team, a Water Resilience Plan, and a new Water Strategy were established to address water scarcity.

Cape Town’s exclusive reliance on surface water exacerbated vulnerabilities; diversification through alternative sources, including groundwater, reuse, and desalination, is now prioritized.

The city developed a Water Strategy in 2019, aiming for a holistic, integrated approach to water management in coordination with national strategies.

The new SWAN initiative aims to introduce smart meters enabling customers to track water consumption, contribute to water sensitivity, provide timely leak notifications, enhance control over water usage, and reduce wastage.

The ambitious 15-year plan exceeding R5 billion anticipates widespread implementation, initially focusing on business and industrial customers, with a goal to include the majority of residential customers by 2037.

The workshop includes panel discussions with international experts, offering limited public ticket sales.

Several municipalities, including Cape Agulhas, Saldanha Bay, and Bergrivier, have implemented smart water management systems, and claim to have achieved cost savings, revenue enhancement, accurate billing, and improved customer service.

Smart systems offer benefits, but their appropriateness depends on careful consideration of context and resources by municipalities before procurement.