As part of sustainable urban water management, the Thane Municipal Corporation and Thane Smart City have installed more than 105,000 smart water meters across the city, equipped with Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) technology, to enhance accuracy and fairness. Of these, 70,000 meters have been installed in slum areas, with the remainder installed in residential buildings.
The city's infrastructure network distributes approximately 85 million litres of water daily, but it has been plagued by issues like water leakage and financial inefficiencies.
Vikas Dhole, Deputy City Engineer at the Thane Municipal Corporation, stated that the Smart Water Meter project represents a significant step towards securing future water resources. He emphasized that the use of data, accurate billing, and a focus on conservation ensures accountability for every drop of water and efficient service to all citizens.
The implementation of AMR technology allows local urban authorities to conduct water audits, minimize leakage, and reduce the percentage of non-revenue water—water that is supplied but generates no revenue due to losses like leakage. According to the statement, smart water meters now enable volumetric billing, meaning consumers are charged based on actual usage, which enhances billing accuracy and fairness. Previously, a flat-rate billing system was in place, which did not reflect real water consumption.
The municipal corporation has collaborated with Palladium, a global impact firm, as the Project Management Consultant for the Smart Water Meter initiative. This project also includes a web-based application that enables consumers to monitor their water usage. Amit Patjoshi, CEO of Palladium, highlighted that by leveraging advanced technology and data-driven solutions, Thane is addressing current water challenges while building a sustainable future for its residents. He expressed pride in Palladium's role in partnering with the Thane Municipal Corporation for the execution of this significant project.
