Beyond the meter How AMI is reshaping water utilities from the inside out
Every year, global utilities lose up to 30 percent of treated water through leaks¹, theft and outdated meters – wasting an estimated USD 39 billion in non-revenue water annually². At the same time, many utility networks are ageing, while operational expectations, cost pressures and compliance demands continue to mount. For water utilities, the question is no longer whether to invest in smarter systems. It’s how to do it in a way that delivers maximum value, especially at a time of constrained capital and increased public scrutiny. One proven pathway is advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). AMI transforms water utilities from reactive responders to proactive system optimisers by replacing intermittent data snapshots with real-time, system-wide visibility. This shift enables:
Enablers of sustainable transformation A company never truly runs out of things it can do to become sustainable. The key is to manage change within a holistic framework. Leaders should start with a few essential principles:
Freddie Guerra, Digital Water Market Leader
Nurture people and partnerships Your people and partners must be involved in every part of the journey. Bring them in early, train them, and listen to them. Transformation requires collaboration.
Harmonise strategy Actions must align – not conflict – with the company’s overall goals, and beyond that, it's purpose. This enables informed decision-making and meaningful innovations.
Define the vision Identify the goals of the transformation. Consider the potential barriers and trade-offs. This will clarify how to prioritise investments and improvements.
Early Leak detection Identifying issues before they escalate
Accurate billing Reducing disputes and improving customer trust
Predictive maintenance Preventing failures and extending asset life
Informed asset planning Prioritising investment based on live performance data
Benefits: Better visibility, better decisions and better outcomes.
Consider new tools Not every new technology or system is worth the upheaval and stress it can cause for employees. But as external disruptions emerge, organisations should continually consider efficiencies to stay nimble and lean.
Offer short-term boosts While it’s not wise to rely on short-term gains, those wins can raise morale. Offer employees opportunities to showcase their skills and talents while solving relevant problems. Innovation labs and other funded workstreams enable companies to explore potential employee interests without committing fully to a new direction.
Check your compass Monitor and evaluate your progress against goals and adapt when needed. Feedback can inform the next set of strategies to ensure that you’re heading in the right direction and keeping the goals in sight.
It’s more crucial than ever to plan for change. Building resilience and sustainability into your business strategy is no longer a nice-to-have, a compliance box to be checked, or an add-on – it’s a necessity to avoid being outflanked by more adaptive competitors. The new business as usual needs to be based on holistic, integrated thinking that helps companies lead through the many disruptions and opportunities to come.
24 | GHD | Nexus Magazine
Nexus Magazine | GHD | 25
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