i2O with coordination from the international NGO WaterAid and Anglian Water, has facilitated the development of a monitoring programme for the water supply network in Lahan, Nepal. This programme is crucial to The Beacon Project which will provide safe and affordable water to Lahan’s 100,000 residents by 2030. The project exemplifies the transition towards universal access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, aligning with the UN 2030 agenda for sustainable development. i2O — subsidiary of Mueller Water Products — has partnered with Anglian Water, WaterAid, Lahan Municipality, and the Nepal Water Supply Corporation (NWSC), to enhance local capacity in data-driven supply network management, serving approximately 4,500 households. Recognising the need for improved data management, i20, provided 56 advanced flow and pressure loggers for the initial deployment.

To ensure effective use of this equipment, local personnel received training, enabling them to install and operate the loggers independently. The loggers were chosen because they are rugged and can operate in adverse conditions, from -20-60°C with 85% humidity. The Swiss-made transducers are accurate, requiring no recalibration within the device’s lifetime. Data is stored on the device for up to a year so intermittent power outages, which are not uncommon in the area, will not result in data loss. Local SIM cards are used in each logger allowing for individual alarm thresholds to be set to alert operators to anomalies including threshold breaches or patterns of abnormal performance.

Twenty loggers have been commissioned: seven dedicated to logging flow and 13 to monitoring pressure. The remaining 36 loggers will be phased in to continually improve the monitoring of new infrastructure. The Sentryx platform is used to remotely configure the logger settings and to visualise the logged data. An early goal of the flow monitoring programme is to establish reliable water balance calculations and understand nonrevenue water (NRW) loss. This understanding is crucial for developing sustainable economic models for service delivery. Additionally, pressure monitoring provides valuable insights into system performance, supporting targeted maintenance investments and ensuring the longevity and reliability of the water supply network.

“One key outcome was to ensure that all inputs to the distribution are measured and monitored. We have now installed flowmeters on all the inputs to the system with data loggers on these flowmeters. This enables us to monitor the flows into the system, which is essential for how we quantify and understand NRW loss,” said Andy Smith, head of smart water for Anglian Water. “We are also using the loggers to measure pressure throughout the system, understanding the performance of the water network will enable us to target upgrades and maintenance to improve areas where it is most needed as we continue to expand and deliver more water to more residents.”

The Beacon Project is working with NWSC’s local Lahan branch to leverage these datasets. By improving their ability to manage assets and maintain high service levels, the project aims to support the local water utility to the demands of a growing customer base. Furthermore, the project is committed to ensuring that the benefits of data-driven water network management are realised and disseminated across other NWSC branches in Nepal. Sharing this information will promote the expansion of effective water management practices nationwide. The next step is to establish district metered areas (DMAs), or smaller more manageable pressure zones, across the whole distribution network. DMAs give the ability to measure flow and control pressure when a pressure-reducing valve or automatic control valve is installed at the input of the DMA from the main distribution line. The goal of DMAs is to provide customers with just enough pressure to serve their needs while eliminating overpressure. It is common knowledge that a good pressure management approach reduces NRW loss and is the best way to maintain control and reliability of a distribution system.

In addition, smoothing out transients or sudden changes in water flow and pressure, helps to stabilise the network, reducing stress on pipes and equipment — and prolonging their operational lifespan. The Beacon Project is delivering a safe and sustainable water supply to Lahan and the use of flow and pressure loggers has improved the local service provider’s ability to manage their water resources and infrastructure. By enhancing data-driven management capabilities, the project is addressing current water supply challenges and paving the way for future advancements in water infrastructure and service delivery throughout Nepal.

Click here to read the article in Water & Wastewater Asia Magazine