Cape Town and the Smart Water Network Forum (SWAN) are teaming up to host a workshop on smart water metering solutions called “Unlocking the Water Utility AMI Journey.” The event is significant for Cape Town, which is integrating smart water meters to reduce dependency on reading estimates, provide hourly water consumption data, and help manage wastage and reduce water bills. The workshop will feature discussions with experts from various countries and encourage public participation.
What is the SWAN Forum’s global smart water metering workshop and how significant is it for Cape Town?
The SWAN Forum and the city of Cape Town are collaborating to host a workshop named ‘Unlocking the Water Utility AMI Journey,’ which is focused on smart water metering solutions. The event is essential for Cape Town, which is in the process of integrating smart water meters. The workshop will feature discussions with experts from various countries and will encourage public participation. Smart water metering will reduce dependency on reading estimates, provide hourly water consumption data, and help manage wastage and reduce water bills.
The dynamic city of Cape Town, nestled in the heart of South Africa, has joined hands with the Smart Water Network Forum (SWAN) to organize an international workshop focusing on leading-edge water metering solutions. SWAN, a facilitator connecting global water utilities, inventive solution providers, and water industry leaders, has always been dedicated to pushing the envelope and propagating smart, data-driven solutions within the water sector. This partnership is a significant leap forward in achieving this mission.
The Event and Its Significance
The specially curated event, aptly named ‘Unlocking the Water Utility AMI Journey’, is scheduled to take place at The Table Bay Hotel from February 28 to March 1, 2024. While Cape Town is in the process of integrating smart water meters, the timing of this event couldn’t be better. The city’s leaders are looking forward to gaining valuable perspectives from both local and global experts on the advantages of smart water metering.
The financial year 2023/24 saw the Directorate allocate a substantial R25 million to the development of the smart water metering program. A team of consultants has been engaged to ensure a seamless design phase, laying the ground for the subsequent tendering and rollout stages. This information was divulged by Councillor Zahid Badroodien, a key committee member for Water and Sanitation.
The Journey of Cape Town and SWAN
Cape Town joined the SWAN ranks back in 2019, following in-depth scoping and feasibility studies conducted prior to the implementation of smart water meters. The city identified the need for this initiative as part of a larger business improvement project, which subsequently led to the establishment of the Water and Sanitation Directorate’s Customer Services Branch.
The project, given its scope and complexity, is anticipated to require an expenditure plan exceeding R5 billion over a period of 15 years. The primary aim, as conveyed by Councillor Badroodien, is to educate the public on the benefits of smart metering technology and its crucial role in transforming Cape Town into a water-sensitive city.
Workshop Details and Benefits of Smart Water Metering
The forthcoming three-day workshop agenda will consist of panel discussions featuring experts from countries like Namibia, Ghana, Spain, Australia, and the U.S. To encourage public participation, a limited number of tickets have been released for the general public.
Smart water metering is a forward-thinking solution that includes an automatic meter recording readings at predetermined intervals. These readings are then securely sent to a central server for various applications: monthly billing, water consumption analysis, identifying losses, and more. The smart meter is also equipped to detect issues such as tampering, battery loss, or leaks, providing essential data for both consumers and water utilities.
For the residents of Cape Town, the benefits are plentiful. The system significantly reduces the dependency on reading estimates, leading to more consistent and regular water bills. A web application will grant residents access to hourly water consumption data, as well as prompt alerts about potential water leaks, enabling them to manage wastage and reduce water bills.
Roll-out Plan and Cost Implications
The current plan is to commence the roll-out of smart water metering from 2025, continuing through to 2037. The initial focus will be on business and industrial customers, with the roll-out gradually extending to residential customers, eventually replacing all water meters in the city in a cost-effective and sustainable way.
The cost of installing the smart meters will not fall on the shoulders of property owners. However, as new properties are developed and sold, the owner will bear the cost of meter installation as part of the utilities connection.
For further information and to participate in the upcoming SWAN workshop, visit the SWAN official website. This presents an exceptional opportunity to learn about smart water metering, a pivotal step towards a sustainable future for Cape Town and water utilities worldwide.
What is smart water metering, and how does it work?
Smart water metering is an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) technology that enables automatic meter reading and reporting of water consumption at predetermined time intervals. The data is securely sent to a central server, where it can be used for billing, water consumption analysis, and identifying losses, among other applications. The smart meter is also equipped to detect tampering, battery loss, or leaks, providing essential data for both consumers and water utilities.
What are the benefits of smart water metering for Cape Town?
Smart water metering provides hourly water consumption data, reducing dependency on reading estimates and leading to more consistent and regular water bills. The system helps manage wastage and reduce water bills, and a web application will grant residents access to hourly water consumption data and prompt alerts about potential water leaks.
When is the SWAN Forum’s global smart water metering workshop taking place in Cape Town?
The SWAN Forum’s global smart water metering workshop, called “Unlocking the Water Utility AMI Journey,” is taking place at The Table Bay Hotel from February 28 to March 1, 2024.
Who are the experts participating in the workshop, and what will the discussions focus on?
The workshop will feature discussions with experts from various countries, including Namibia, Ghana, Spain, Australia, and the U.S. The discussions will focus on the advantages of smart water metering and provide valuable perspectives on the topic.
What is the roll-out plan for smart water metering in Cape Town, and who will bear the installation cost?
The roll-out plan for smart water metering in Cape Town is set to commence from 2025, with the initial focus on business and industrial customers, gradually extending to residential customers. The cost of installing the smart meters will not fall on the shoulders of property owners. However, new property owners will bear the cost of meter installation as part of the utilities connection.
How long will it take to complete the smart water metering project in Cape Town, and what is the estimated cost?
The smart water metering project in Cape Town is anticipated to require an expenditure plan exceeding R5 billion over a period of 15 years, from 2025 to 2037. The initial focus will be on business and industrial customers, with the roll-out gradually extending to residential customers, eventually replacing all water meters in the city in a cost-effective and sustainable way.
