Chennai Smart Water Meter
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| Published | 2025-06-01 |
| Point(s) of Contact | Staff Reporter |
| Organization(s) | Times of India |
| Where | Chennai India |
| Display | Yes |
Chennai Metrowater is set to install 100,000 smart water meters in homes and apartments over 2,500 square feet. This initiative aims to improve water usage monitoring, ensure equitable billing, and identify leaks, thereby enhancing water conservation efforts in the city.
Chennai is embarking on a significant modernization of its water management system through the implementation of smart water meters by the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB). In the first phase, the plan involves installing 100,000 smart meters, primarily targeting large individual homes and multi-storey buildings exceeding 2500 sq.ft8.967001e-5 sq.mi <br />2.322444e-4 sq.km <br />0.0574 Acres <br />232.244 sq.meter <br />. This initiative aims to address longstanding challenges associated with flat-rate billing and the lack of accurate consumption data, which have led to inequitable water distribution and revenue losses. By providing precise usage data, the smart meters are expected to promote fair billing practices and encourage water conservation among consumers.
The smart meters will be integrated with a volumetric tariff system, replacing the existing flat-rate charges. Under the new system, consumers will be billed based on actual water usage, with rates structured in slabs—for example, ₹6$ 7.020007e-11 <br />€ 6.177606e-11 <br />£ 5.194805e-11 <br />CA$ 8.915409e-11 <br />CNY 4.443664e-10 <br /> per kiloliter (KL) up to 10 KL, ₹18$ 2.106002e-10 <br />€ 1.853282e-10 <br />£ 1.558442e-10 <br />CA$ 2.674623e-10 <br />CNY 1.333099e-9 <br /> per KL for 11–15 KL, ₹28$ 3.276003e-10 <br />€ 2.882883e-10 <br />£ 2.424242e-10 <br />CA$ 4.160524e-10 <br />CNY 2.07371e-9 <br /> per KL for 16–25 KL, and ₹45$ 5.265005e-10 <br />€ 4.633205e-10 <br />£ 3.896104e-10 <br />CA$ 6.686557e-10 <br />CNY 3.332748e-9 <br /> per KL for consumption above 25 KL. This tiered pricing model is designed to incentivize efficient water use and discourage wastage, aligning with broader sustainability goals.
Technologically, the smart meters will utilize Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) systems with wireless data transmission capabilities, allowing for real-time monitoring and remote data collection. This infrastructure will enable the CMWSSB to promptly detect leaks, monitor consumption patterns, and manage the water supply more effectively. Additionally, the integration of these meters into a centralized digital platform will facilitate better decision-making and resource allocation, enhancing the overall efficiency of Chennai's water management system.
This initiative is part of Chennai's broader commitment to smart city development, focusing on sustainable and efficient urban infrastructure. By leveraging advanced technologies in water management, the city aims to ensure equitable access to water resources, improve service delivery, and foster environmental stewardship among its residents. The successful implementation of the smart water meter system is anticipated to serve as a model for other urban centers grappling with similar challenges in water resource management.