By Abdul Ghani

Pakistan’s Climate Prosperity Plan outlines a GeoSmart water initiative to improve water resource management through smart metering, geographic information system (GIS) mapping, digital billing, and technology-based leak detection in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to a document available with Wealth Pakistan.

The proposed initiative has a budget of GBP 150,000 and envisages a 12-month pilot to modernise water utility operations, improve revenue collection, and reduce water losses through digital technologies.

The project will install between 500 and 1,000 Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled smart water meters. It will also develop GIS-based maps of water infrastructure, including mains, valves, tanks and connections, to improve monitoring and operational planning.

A cloud-based dashboard will be introduced to monitor water pressure and flow, analyse usage patterns and identify potential leakages. The system will also support usage-based mobile billing, enabling more transparent billing practices and better access to consumer data.

The project will be implemented in phases, beginning with baseline assessments, GIS mapping and procurement. The subsequent stage will involve meter installation, dashboard commissioning and staff training, followed by six to 12 months of operational monitoring, including leak detection and billing analysis.

The KP Climate Change Technical Working Group will be the initiative's lead coordinating body. The Centre for Revenue Growth and Reforms, IMSciences, will be involved in technical support and project implementation, while local utilities will be responsible for meter operations and service delivery.

The plan also includes economic validation and the preparation of a replication and scaling guide to assess the feasibility of extending the model to other areas. Maintenance arrangements, technical support, trained utility staff and connectivity requirements are among the elements identified for sustained implementation.

The initiative seeks to strengthen data-driven utility management while reducing non-revenue water and improving billing transparency. Its pilot phase is expected to provide operational evidence for evaluating the model's effectiveness and potential wider adoption.

Credit: INP-WealthPk