Bengaluru to pilot AI-enabled smart water meters to combat revenue loss

The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) is set to introduce AI-powered smart water meters in an effort to curb unaccounted-for water (UFW) levels and mitigate revenue losses. The move comes as part of a broader initiative to modernize the city’s water metering infrastructure under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

Initially, the BWSSB will roll out 2,000 smart meters for bulk consumers in a pilot project. These meters are targeted at commercial users, who account for approximately 10% of the city’s water connections but consume around 41% of the Cauvery water supply.

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“Plugging revenue leakage through these AI-enabled meters will help the board save more resources,” BWSSB Chairman V. Ram Prasath Manohar reportedly stated.

If the pilot proves successful, the project will expand to include around 98,000 connections across Bengaluru’s District Metering Areas (DMAs). The initiative aligns with the city’s long-term strategy to enhance operational efficiency and reduce water loss.

The introduction of smart meters builds on the BWSSB’s history of transitioning from single-jet to multi-jet Class-B meters. While effective, these traditional mechanical meters face accuracy challenges, especially in areas with intermittent water supply.

This development follows the October launch of the Cauvery Stage V project, which aims to provide piped water to Bengaluru's peripheral areas, ending a decade-long wait. Currently, BWSSB serves approximately 1.09 million consumers, with 100% metering at the consumer end.