Smart Water Metering to Support Urban Efficiency in Singapore
A large-scale deployment of volumetric smart meters with NB-IoT and LoRaWAN connectivity is driving operational excellence and sustainability in Singapore’s urban water management.
🏙️ Project Background
Singapore’s Public Utilities Board (PUB) launched a nation-wide smart metering program as part of its “Smart Water Meter Programme” to future-proof water infrastructure. As a densely populated island city-state with limited freshwater resources, Singapore must continuously optimize water usage, reduce non-revenue water, and support citizen engagement.
To support these goals, 30,000 of volumetric water meters have been deployed across residential high-rises, integrated with NB-IoT and LoRaWAN communication modules. These meters enable real-time consumption monitoring, remote reading, and rapid leak detection.
🚧 Challenges
Manual meter reading in high-rise flats was labour-intensive and inefficient.
Many water meters were installed in locked or difficult-to-access compartments.
Lack of real-time visibility made it difficult to detect leaks or unusual consumption.
Singapore’s tropical climate required robust, long-life metering solutions.
✅ The Solution
Santrua partnered with local system integrators to deliver a reliable and scalable solution, combining:
Volumetric meters with ultra-low start flow rate, ideal for residential use.
NB-IoT communication for strong penetration in underground or shielded areas.
LoRaWAN connectivity for efficient coverage across large residential estates.
Battery-powered modules supporting 10+ years of data transmission.
The meters communicate usage data at hourly intervals to a centralized cloud platform. Utility staff access a web-based dashboard for alerts, analytics, and remote diagnostics. Residents also benefit from a consumer app that visualizes their daily water use.
🌟 Results & Benefits
📉 Over 90% automation of meter readings, cutting down field visits
🔍 Leak detection at unit level — faster resolution, less water loss
📲 User access to real-time consumption via mobile and web
🛠️ Predictive maintenance, reducing response time and cost
🌱 Supports national sustainability goals with data-driven water use
“Singapore’s smart metering rollout is a model of how IoT can transform urban water management.”
— Project Engineer, System Integrator Partner
🔎 Looking Ahead
Following the success of the first phase (over 30,000 households across 4 districts), the utility plans to integrate smart meters with building management systems, DMA pressure sensors, and automated leak analytics for full water infrastructure digitization.
This project stands as a scalable reference for other high-density urban environments across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
About Santrua
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