By: Kobus Vermeulen - Direct Sales Executive, Process Automation at Schneider Electric

In a recent report by eThekwini Water and Sanitation (EWS), non-revenue water (NRW) accounts for 238,172 kilolitres of water lost per day.  This is a significant number which also forms part of a bigger picture, worldwide 126 billion cubic metres of NRW is lost annually.   

To place it into perspective, it is equivalent to the annual freshwater withdrawals of Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and the UK, combined.  It therefore goes without saying that NRW presents a significant challenge to utilities worldwide.  Today, NRW falls into three main categories:  

• Apparent losses, which occur due to meter inaccuracies, data handling errors and theft. 
• Unbilled authorised consumption like water used for firefighting, public fountains, or other municipal services. 
• Real losses, which result from physical leaks, bursts, or overflows within the distribution network. 

When considering the above, the financial impact of NRW is substantial. As mentioned, water utilities lose billions in potential revenue each year, which directly undermines their capacity to invest in critical infrastructure upgrades and service improvements.  

The environmental cost is equally significant. Treating and pumping water that never reaches consumers uses vast amounts of energy, contributing to unnecessary greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions and placing additional pressure on already strained natural resources. 

The social consequences are also far-reaching. High levels of NRW reduce the reliability and equity of water supply, particularly in water-scarce regions where every drop counts.  

This not only impacts millions of people on a daily basis but also hampers progress toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) six: “ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.”. 

Utilities are digitally transforming their water infrastructure  

Fortunately, the world is also starting to put interventions and solutions in place.  In cities like Singapore, Tokyo and Ho Chi Minh City, digital metering and leak detection technologies are being deployed to limit NRW. 

In Italy, Schneider Electric has helped curb non-revenue water (NRW) through a successful digital transformation project with Padania Acque, a regional water utility. The initiative leveraged our IoT architecture, combining smart sensors, remote telemetry, and advanced analytics to optimise water distribution and reduce losses. 

The adoption of real-time data systems therefore plays a critical role in the global effort to combat non-revenue water, delivering key benefits such as: 

• Instant anomaly detection - real-time monitoring enables immediate alerts for leaks, meter tampering, or unusual consumption patterns, allowing faster response and minimising water loss.  
• Remote access and monitoring: Cloud-connected dashboards allow for 24/7 visibility, making it easier to detect leaks or overuse instantly. 
• Automated alerts and anomaly detection: AI-driven platforms highlight unusual trends—such as a continuous flow overnight—which may indicate leaks or faulty infrastructure. 
• Predictive maintenance - with live performance tracking, systems can forecast potential failures and schedule maintenance before problems arise.  

At Schneider Electric, we integrate telemetry, IIoT sensors, and cloud-based analytics to give utilities a comprehensive, real-time view of their water distribution networks. These systems allow operators to: 

• Pinpoint leaks and unauthorised usage by comparing inflow and outflow data across defined zones 
• Prioritise repairs using predictive modelling based on pressure, flow, and population density. 
• Reduce energy waste by identifying where treated water is being lost before reaching consumers. 

Furthermore, technologies like smart RTUs and telemetry and remote SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) applications act as intelligent field devices, collecting data from sensors and meters across the water network. They provide: 

• Real-time data acquisition on flow, pressure, and water quality. 
• Autonomous control of valves and pumps to manage pressure and reduce leakage. 
• Edge analytics, allowing for local decision-making even in remote or low-connectivity areas. 
• Predictive maintenance, using historical data to anticipate failures before they cause major losses.