In an effort to assess non-revenue water and carry out a comprehensive water audit, Chennai Metrowater is in the process of installing electromagnetic flow meters across all its water treatment and distribution facilities in the city. The bulk metering project is expected to be completed by March 2026.
While strengthening source availability and supply management, the water agency has increasingly turned its focus to demand–side management and conserving resources, including reducing leakages, replacing ageing infrastructure and adopting a comprehensive metering policy.
Non-revenue water
The water agency has estimated that non-revenue water contributed to 20%-30% of the water supply. Officials of the Metrowater said work is under way to fix 518 IoT-enabled flow meters to assess the water quantity received at treatment plants and distributed through the network.
At present, the quantity of water received, treated, and supplied is largely calculated based on pumping operations. Once the bulk metering project is completed, the water agency would be able to precisely identify water losses, track water consumption and monitor water drawal and distribution in real time.
