Data Is Used To Solve Water And Energy Crisis In South Africa

In South Africa, load shedding decreases the GNP by 1-2% annually, and at the same time the use of fossil fuels increases Additionally, South Africa faces an estimated water loss of around 40%, meaning that 40% of the water produced is lost through the pipeline system and remains unaccounted for.

The Danish water and energy metering solution provider, Kamstrup, has been active in South Africa for more than 10 years. Over the years this has resulted in more than 550.000 smart meters provided to the private sector and for public municipalities on the African continent.

A Kamstrup solution anywhere in the world will consist of intelligent meters and a digital remote reading system, providing municipalities with accurate consumption data and thereby making it an efficient smart metering solution with an attractive total cost of ownership.

Looking at it from a sustainability perspective, the solutions also provide the municipalities with data insights about potential leaks before they develop into bursts and thus a key to reduce water loss. The solutions also transmit intelligent alarms allowing the municipalities to discover attempts of theft.

Data enables sustainable water supply

The municipality of Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape Region has a dedicated strategy to becoming one of South Africa’s first smart cities and to be a role model by being an innovative municipality leading the way through smart technology.

Part of the strategy is to combine the utility’s consumption data with the city’s information system to better utilize its value. Thus, they decided to install smart water meters providing consistent and accurate data.

The idea behind their approach was to use technology to work with real-time data and water balances. Today, the utility is notified by alarms in the meters whenever leaks or bursts occur in their distribution network. As a result, they are now able to inform their customers before the incident becomes critical and can reduce their water loss.

Making the most of a limited resource

When Lephalale Local Municipality in Limpopo opted to replace its existing electricity meters with Kamstrup’s prepaid meter, the results were reduced tampering and theft, revenue recovery, a better overview of consumption, and user-friendly prepayment options for local consumers.

The project was executed by local Kamstrup partner Livewire and with this solution, Lephalale Local Municipality is well on its way to reducing losses and recovering revenue. In addition, it is helping the municipality evolve into a digital organization where operational decisions are made based on detailed data from meters and substations.

Part of million meter roll out in South Africa 

Earlier this year Kamstrup was among the metering suppliers, that were chosen to supply solutions for the first national treasury tender for metering, that aims at making smart metering accessible for financially challenged water and electricity utilities.

The digital technologies will help the utilities to achieve a more solid and sustainable financial position, from where they can provide sufficient water and power.

Having won the tender Kamstrup wants to extend the commitments to the South African market and is investing in local manufacturing and job creation.

FACT BOX

Active in South Africa since 2009 and with local office in Pretoria since 2013  Kamstrup provides smart water and electricity meters and solutions. Country manager in South Africa is Petrus Van Heerden.

www.kamstrup.com