Data-driven solutions lead the way in reducing water losses

On Tuesday, October 22, 2024, Diehl Metering, in collaboration with Smart Water Magazine, hosted a webinar that focused on a pressing challenge for water utilities worldwide: reducing water losses through data-driven solutions. As increasing pressure on natural resources continues to shape the global water landscape, the urgency to reduce every cubic meter of water lost grows ever more critical. The impact of water losses goes beyond mere resource wastage; it translates directly into higher operating costs and inflated consumer bills. In this context, the discussion held by Diehl Metering was not only timely but essential for the future of water utilities.
The session began with Cristina Novo, Technical Editor at Smart Water Magazine, welcoming participants and setting the stage for the event. She underscored the importance of adopting proactive strategies in an industry that has traditionally been more reactive. Operators, she explained, often find themselves constrained by a daily schedule dictated by emergencies and unplanned incidents, such as leaks and system failures. The central question posed during the webinar was: how can water utilities move from this reactive mode of management to a more proactive, data-driven approach?

By accurately detecting leakage, utilities can prevent minor issues from escalating into full-blown emergencies, ultimately saving both water and money
One of the key tools presented during the webinar was Diehl Metering's "10-Minute Analytics." Introduced by Maximilian Oberndoerfer, Product Manager for analytics software solutions in water and heat at Diehl Metering, this innovative approach aims to optimize water network management by using real-time key performance indicators (KPIs). Oberndoerfer highlighted how 10-Minute Analytics allows operators to gain valuable insights within a short timeframe, empowering them to make swift decisions that reduce water losses and improve operational efficiency. The tool focuses on three core functions: detecting new and existing leaks, localizing high-loss zones, and quantifying the volume of water lost.
“There is still significant room for improvement in water loss management. At Diehl Metering, we address this by focusing firstly on detection: rapidly identifying new leaks, then quantifying losses, and finally pinpointing high-loss areas and high-risk pipes—where utilities should prioritize their efforts,” Oberndoerfer said. He further emphasized the importance of efficiency in modern water management, adding, “We believe we can enhance this process, enabling utilities to achieve better results with minimal time investment.”

The presentation emphasized the transformative potential of such data-driven tools. By accurately detecting leakage and identifying high-risk areas, utilities can prevent minor issues from escalating into full-blown emergencies, ultimately saving both water and money. Diehl Metering’s solution also enables operators to localize leaks using available data, reducing the need for frequent physical checks and interventions.
The real-world impact of these solutions was brought to life through a case study presented by Thorkil Neergaard, CEO of Brønderslev Forsyning, a water and district heating utility company in Denmark. Neergaard shared his hands-on experience with implementing Diehl Metering’s Water Loss Management software. "We've been using Diehl Metering’s platform for nearly two years, and now we have a stable system. It’s been a journey to get here, requiring a lot of effort and a solid understanding of the data before you can start working with it. Our small distribution team monitors for any changes day by day. If a section remains red for more than 2 or 3 days, the team react quickly. Leaks that stay underground can persist for weeks, months, or even years—and they can be very costly. We’ve divided our water distribution into 22 DMAs (District Metered Areas), and we now calculate them automatically," Neergaard explained.

Neergaard’s presentation offered a clear example of how the integration of data into day-to-day operations can revolutionize water management. “In recent years, we have successfully met our water loss targets, nearly halving the utility's water loss," he proudly noted. The dramatic reduction in water losses was achieved by leveraging data-driven strategies and advanced analytics, which allowed the utility to identify water loss patterns and make informed decisions.
Smart meters are essential for digitizing water utilities, offering much more than just billing functionalities
From a customer perspective, the early detection of leaks provides significant advantages, saving both water and money. Neergaard highlighted this by revealing that “from 1 January 2023 until 12 of September 2024, the meter department has warned 600 unique consumers about in-house leak problems.”
The presentation by Neergaard also underscored several key takeaways. Smart meters are essential for digitizing water utilities, offering much more than just billing functionalities. They provide valuable data that can be leveraged for operational improvements and water loss management.

The presentation also outlined a generic business case model for smart metering, with an emphasis on the economic advantages and operational efficiencies gained through data-driven solutions. Staff engagement and commitment were highlighted as essential for the successful implementation and management of smart meter solutions. The human factor is critical alongside infrastructure and data in managing leaks and improving performance. Additionally, rapid leak detection and repair also reduce complications in infrastructure and benefit the broader community by conserving water and improving service reliability.
As the webinar drew to a close, the conversation shifted towards future developments in water loss management software. Oberndoerfer provided insights into how Diehl Metering is continuously improving its platforms, incorporating customer feedback to enhance functionality and meet the evolving needs of the industry. He mentioned that one of the key focus areas moving forward is improving leak detection without relying on AMI. Diehl Metering aims to offer more flexible solutions that accommodate utilities at different stages of technological adoption, making the benefits of data-driven water management more accessible to a wider range of operators.

The webinar concluded with a 15-minute Q&A session, allowing attendees to pose their questions directly to both speakers. Questions poured in from across the globe, addressing various aspects of the system. One question asked whether the leakage detection system would be data-driven, model-based, or include system analysis. Maximilian Oberndoerfer explained, "The beauty of it is that we combine both—a blend of physical and data-driven approaches." Another inquiry focused on how frequently smart meters collect data and whether data accuracy posed any challenges. Thorkil Neergaard responded, noting that, in his experience, purchasing a premium smart meter ensures premium data quality. Another question touched on whether past data is required for smart meter installation, to which Maximilian clarified that you don’t need much historical data—“you can essentially start from zero as long as the data quality is reliable.”
Throughout the webinar, the role of data emerged as the central theme. It became clear that the future of water network management lies in the ability to harness data effectively. By moving from a reactive to a proactive management approach, utilities can optimize their operations, reduce losses, and ultimately provide better service to their customers.