Optimizing water network operation and leak reduction. Opportunities to export Spanish experiences
The implementation of advanced leak detection, smart metering, and IoT technologies can significantly reduce water losses, lower operational costs, and contribute to the overall sustainability of water resources. The examples from Spain demonstrate the effectiveness of these technologies in real-world applications, providing a blueprint for utilities worldwide to enhance their water management strategies.
Efficient water management has become a critical issue as global populations grow, urbanization expands, and the effects of climate change intensify. One of the major challenges utilities face is the significant loss of water in distribution systems, commonly referred to as Non-Revenue Water (NRW). NRW is the difference between the volume of water put into a distribution system and the volume that is billed to consumers. This lost water, due to leaks, theft, or metering inaccuracies, has substantial economic and environmental costs. Globally, water losses account for between 20-50% of the total water supply, depending on the region.
Globally, water losses – due to leaks, theft, or metering inaccuracies – account for 20-50% of the total water supply, depending on the region
In Spain, the national average of water loss levels reported by various sources ranges from 15% to 25%, with considerable variation across different municipalities. The regions with the highest losses are Ceuta and Melilla (25%), Canary Islands (24,4%), Extremadura (22%) and the regions with the lowest losses are Madrid (4%), Murcia (11,4%) and the Basque Country (13,2%).
In the European context, there are also considerable differences. In countries such as the Netherlands and Denmark NRW is around 5%, in Germany around 8%, while in the United Kingdom NRW stands at around 20%, where significant efforts have been made to reduce this figure, but older systems remain a challenge.
In the United States, NRW levels range between 15-30%, depending on the state, despite heavy investments in technology and infrastructure improvements. In Sub-Saharan Africa, reports suggest losses as high as 35-50%, aggravated by ageing infrastructure and inadequate investment. In India, water loss levels are around 50% and in Brazil around 38%.
The importance of reducing water losses is evidenced by the environmental, sustainability and economic benefits it brings.
Water and energy savings: Reducing leaks means less water extraction from natural sources, which is crucial for conserving ecosystems and maintaining the balance of local water cycles. With climate change leading to prolonged droughts and water scarcity in many parts of the world, it is vital to minimize wastage to ensure sustainable water supplies for future generations.
Moreover, water conservation is intrinsically linked to energy conservation. The energy required for water treatment, pumping, and distribution is immense, and by reducing leaks, utilities can save energy, thereby lowering their carbon footprints. In this sense, water conservation efforts align directly with global sustainability goals, such as those outlined by the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Economic Savings: For utilities, the investment in smart metering and leak detection technologies offers a rapid return on investment (ROI). Water that is lost through leaks still incurs treatment, pumping, and maintenance costs without any associated revenue. By identifying and repairing leaks, utilities can reduce the overall volume of water treated and pumped, which directly decreases operational costs. Additionally, the data collected through IoT devices and analytics platforms enable more efficient asset management, reducing the frequency of emergency repairs and extending the lifespan of infrastructure.
The integration of these technologies not only saves resources but also enhances customer satisfaction. By providing consumers with real-time data on their water usage and alerting them to potential leaks, utilities can empower customers to make informed decisions about their consumption patterns, further contributing to water conservation efforts.
The importance of reducing water losses is evidenced by the environmental, sustainability and economic benefits it brings
At ICEX, aware of this need and trends, we promote activities to make the expertise of the Spanish technological sector in efficient water management known internationally.
Public administrations, water operators, and private companies, are all increasingly committed to developing smart water solutions. Multilateral development banks are also aware of this.
In this line, one of the ICEX´s recent activities is the organization and coordination of two sessions for the Asian Development Bank e-marketplace, in which six Spanish companies will exhibit their innovative solutions: software platforms for integrated water cycle management, to increase the level of operational efficiency, and software and hardware to improve water quality and quantity monitoring (leak detection, consumption control).
ICEX promotes activities to make the expertise of the Spanish technological sector in efficient water management known internationally
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) e-Marketplace gathers stakeholders from ADB’s developing member countries (DMCs) to discuss the latest digital technology and best practices to deliver smart, resilient, safe, and inclusive water management and services. Cohosted by Water Resilience Hub partners, ADB e-Marketplace 2023 is a webinar series that features rapid-fire pitches from technology companies and solutions providers.
Another event carried out by ICEX (April 2024) was a session with presentations and around 40 bilateral meetings between some of the most advanced Italian water utilities and Spanish companies as potential technology providers. These Italian utilities will be in charge of the implementation of 33 projects focused on the reduction of water losses, monitoring and digitization of water networks in Italy. They visited Spain coinciding with the international conference on Water Loss of the International Water Association in San Sebastian. Thanks to ICEX, Spanish companies had the chance to get to know firsthand about these projects, to show their own products and solutions to the Italian utilities and, of course, to have a direct contact with potential clients.
Another initiative that ICEX has developed throughout 2024 in collaboration with the Water Technology Platform (Plataforma Tecnológica del Agua, PTEA) has been a mapping of new Spanish technologies in the water sector. The main objective of this study is to identify companies that are developing new and relevant technologies in this sector, in order to obtain a current picture of the state of the art and developing trends.
A total of 69 entities responded to the survey (62 companies and 7 other entities, such as industry associations or universities). Eleven companies (17.7%) stated that their main products and services are related to pressure sensors, in-line acoustic inspection systems for leak detection, digital platforms for inspection management and leak monitoring and/or smart meters.
Types of technologies for optimizing water distribution networks, reducing water losses and Spanish expertise
The drive to optimize water networks has given rise to numerous technological innovations, both in software and hardware. These technologies are designed to detect, monitor, and reduce water losses in real-time, providing utilities with the tools they need to respond quickly and effectively.
The expertise Spanish companies have accumulated in digital water management is well-prepared to be shared internationally
Pressure Management. One of the most effective methods for reducing leaks is optimal pressure control. Technologies like Demand Driven Distribution (DDD) adjust the network's pressure based on real-time demand, cutting leaks by around 15%, reducing energy costs by 25%, and lowering pipe breaks by 35%. This helps maintain water supply without unnecessary pressure, which contributes to network longevity.
Real-time Leak Detection Technologies (Hardware). Leak detection technologies have become increasingly sophisticated. There are Spanish solutions specialized in large-diameter pipeline inspections using in-line devices that combine acoustic and electromagnetic sensors. This type of technology provides precise leak detection, pipe condition assessments, and can identify air pockets that may lead to future problems.
Smart Metering and IoT Solutions (Software & Hardware). The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) devices in water management systems has revolutionized real-time monitoring. This type of solutions allows utilities to monitor water usage, detect anomalies such as leaks using real-time data and act quickly, predict infrastructure failures, optimize network pressure, and ultimately manage assets more effectively.
The drive to optimize water networks has given rise to numerous technological innovations, both in software and hardware
Data Analytics Platforms. The integration of artificial intelligence-driven data analytics with hardware solutions has made it possible to anticipate failures before they occur. Some platforms enable monitoring of consumption patterns, identification of leaks, and implementation of predictive maintenance strategies. The use of GIS (Geographic Information Systems) also enhances the ability to visualize water networks, allowing for more efficient planning and maintenance of infrastructure.
Spanish companies’ solutions are already operational in regions such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi in UAE, Sao Paulo (Brazil), Qatar, Mexico, United States, Canada, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and beyond. The expertise Spanish companies have accumulated in this field over recent years, especially with the momentum provided by the Strategic Project for Economic Recovery and Transformation (PERTE) to advance the digitalisation of water cycle management – an initiative of the Government of Spain – is well-prepared to be shared internationally. ICEX will be there to promote this expertise globally.
Companies such as Aganova, Fugaqua, Aonchip, ArsonData Metering SL, Buntplanet SL, (now Siemens), Elliotcloud, Defcon8 Enterprise SL, Dative Partners SL, ACCIONA, Instituto Tecnológico de Galicia, IDIRICA, Datakorum Soutions, Coxabengoa, Minsait, Tedagua, Hidroconta, Hidroglobal, Gestagua, Miya Water, SEIPA, among others, are joining ICEX water sector activities to advance their internationalization efforts and exemplify Spanish firms investing in technologies for optimizing water network management, with successful experiences both in Spain and abroad.