Review of the emerging technologies in the water sector with a focus on the deployment of Internet of Things solutions

Abstract The study focused on identification of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions that can be used in the management of non-revenue water (NRW) in water distribution networks (WDN). The review show that water utilities incur significant revenue losses due to NRW emanating from leaks, illegal connec...

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Main Authors: Patrick Ouma Obunga, Sophia Sudi Rwanga, Megersa Olumana Dinka, Benton Onyango Otieno
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-06-01
Series:npj Clean Water
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41545-025-00487-x
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author Patrick Ouma Obunga
Sophia Sudi Rwanga
Megersa Olumana Dinka
Benton Onyango Otieno
author_facet Patrick Ouma Obunga
Sophia Sudi Rwanga
Megersa Olumana Dinka
Benton Onyango Otieno
author_sort Patrick Ouma Obunga
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The study focused on identification of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions that can be used in the management of non-revenue water (NRW) in water distribution networks (WDN). The review show that water utilities incur significant revenue losses due to NRW emanating from leaks, illegal connections, and non-payment of water bills. The uptake, adoption, and deployment of IoT solutions can contribute to the realization of new products and services, sustainable development solutions, transformation, and enhanced decision-making, in the water sector. Overally, IoT solutions can help water utilities improve operations and management of WDN and minimize NRW, which aligns with the anticipated impact of the study on contributing to and enhancing the realization of resilient smart cities. Finally, the novelty of the study is to demonstrate the potential of translating theoretical innovations and technologies into industrial/ practical applications and commercialization.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2059-7037
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publishDate 2025-06-01
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spelling doaj-art-7d4a1bebe1c5488381d75d28350d04b62025-08-20T03:45:11ZengNature Portfolionpj Clean Water2059-70372025-06-018111710.1038/s41545-025-00487-xReview of the emerging technologies in the water sector with a focus on the deployment of Internet of Things solutionsPatrick Ouma Obunga0Sophia Sudi Rwanga1Megersa Olumana Dinka2Benton Onyango Otieno3Department of Civil Engineering Science, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of JohannesburgDepartment of Civil Engineering Science, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of JohannesburgDepartment of Civil Engineering Science, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of JohannesburgDepartment of Civil Engineering Science, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of JohannesburgAbstract The study focused on identification of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions that can be used in the management of non-revenue water (NRW) in water distribution networks (WDN). The review show that water utilities incur significant revenue losses due to NRW emanating from leaks, illegal connections, and non-payment of water bills. The uptake, adoption, and deployment of IoT solutions can contribute to the realization of new products and services, sustainable development solutions, transformation, and enhanced decision-making, in the water sector. Overally, IoT solutions can help water utilities improve operations and management of WDN and minimize NRW, which aligns with the anticipated impact of the study on contributing to and enhancing the realization of resilient smart cities. Finally, the novelty of the study is to demonstrate the potential of translating theoretical innovations and technologies into industrial/ practical applications and commercialization.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41545-025-00487-x
spellingShingle Patrick Ouma Obunga
Sophia Sudi Rwanga
Megersa Olumana Dinka
Benton Onyango Otieno
Review of the emerging technologies in the water sector with a focus on the deployment of Internet of Things solutions
npj Clean Water
title Review of the emerging technologies in the water sector with a focus on the deployment of Internet of Things solutions
title_full Review of the emerging technologies in the water sector with a focus on the deployment of Internet of Things solutions
title_fullStr Review of the emerging technologies in the water sector with a focus on the deployment of Internet of Things solutions
title_full_unstemmed Review of the emerging technologies in the water sector with a focus on the deployment of Internet of Things solutions
title_short Review of the emerging technologies in the water sector with a focus on the deployment of Internet of Things solutions
title_sort review of the emerging technologies in the water sector with a focus on the deployment of internet of things solutions
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41545-025-00487-x
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