Tracking every drop of water and every cent through smart asset
management + data for water & sanitation utilities
Upande Washmis Customer Identification Survey
20.5 MOver 20.5 million people in Kenya lack access to safe water. Greater operational efficiency by utilities is needed to increase access.
Utilities lose over 40% of water produced through leakage and other supply inefficiencies because they cannot effectively track assets and supply chain data.
47% NRWLevels of non-revenue water (NRW) are up to 47% high because utilities cannot effectively track loss points.
80%
Over 80% of utilities are exposed to high costs and losses because they do not have insight on their assets, customers, or geographical areas they serve.
35 MOver 35 million people lack access to improved sanitation. Greater operational efficiency by utilities is needed to improve access.
9Only 9 out of 55 public service providers can provide continuous water supply, which exposes over 35 million people to water stress.
As water and sanitation utility, you have a lot on your plate. Not only are you required to provide reliable and affordable water and sanitation services, but you must also be compliant with regulatory standards and ensure that your operations are sustainable. Additionally, you have to contend with the following challenges;
- Managing a large network of geographically distributed assets
- Inadequate and time-delayed data management systems
- Lack of data integration between different information systems and business units
- High water losses
- Aging water infrastructure
- Limited channels of financing
- Manual job assignment and poor or no follow up.
- Outdated customer database
- The need to continually raise the bar of customer service quality
Innovative smart approaches to utility management – focused largely on automation, real-time view of hydraulic data and better data management – offer transformative capabilities to analyze, automate, correct in real time, predict and minimize risks. They have the power to help water and wastewater utilities address many of the challenges they face, including extending the life of aging assets, reducing leakages, attacks or other abnormalities in the distribution network, improving water quality monitoring, service levels and reliability of supply, promoting water conservation, or increasing revenue through operational efficiencies.
An integrated system consisting of sensors to acquire and transmit data, server based processing and storage of data and a web portal facilitating visualization of data streams in real time forms an ideal online decision support system for water utilities.
Washmis, Turning Water Data into Insights
Water Sanitation Hygiene Management Information System (Washmis) is an integrated system that enables water utilities to make smart data-driven decisions by collecting, transmitting, analyzing and visualizing hydraulic (flow, pressure, and level) and water quality data (chlorine and PH) from sensors deployed across the water distribution system. Additionally, Washmis provides smartphone based Apps used for collection of WaSH data such as customer, connection, meter and assets details. Some common uses include investments mapping, customer identification and satisfaction surveys.
Deployment of Internet of Things (IoT) enabled smart meters translates to greater opportunities; water utilities can now track larger quantities of data, receive and act on real-time water usage information more quickly, and be smarter about their systems overall. These smart meters also provide higher transparency and value-added services like leak detection and NRW reduction
Building blocks of Washmis include;

A smartphone based app that is used for collection of water and sanitation data such as service area, housing, customer, connection and meter details. Some common uses include Project surveys, Customer identification and satisfaction surveys |

Water levels,volumes, flows, pressure, pH and chlorine at targeted points within the network are visually displayed on a dashboard with dynamic interactive charts that enable the user to determine water parameters that is of interest to them e.g Minimum Night flows, average daily consumption and average day pressures. |

GIS data on Open Source infrastructure cloud-based SDI infrastructure is collected through a smartphone, updated and managed through a browser and analyzed on a desktop GIS (QGIS or ArcGIS). GIS data is based on WASPA/KEWI/KEWASCO standardized template |

NRW Calculations at zone and DMA level is done and displayed on a service area dashboard |

A smartphone-based job card app for assigning and tracking tasks within the water utility; among them jobs emanating from utility operations and customer complaints. The web overview gives the percentage and turnaround times for job categories. Fieldwork documented electronically equals accurate data and higher labour productivity. |

SMS/Email alerts are generated and sent to the technical team when pre-defined level, volume (leakages), flow or pressure thresholds are exceeded or not met. |

The lifespan of your assets goes up with planned, preventative maintenance. Our module helps you do just that, including alerts, performance tracking, etc. |

We integrate your billing tool for NRW calculations or we provide you with an ERP including HR, CRM, accounts, etc. |
“Over the last 3 years, Kericho Water and Sanitation Company has benefited greatly from the use of Washmis modules. The CIS App was used to identify customers in low-income areas in DMA C, then later applied across the entire service area. The tool enabled us to identify illegal connections in the area, faulty water meters and after carrying out corrective actions, NRW reduced from 58% to 45%. Revenues in DMA C have equally gone up on a monthly basis. Further, the main meter locations within DMA C were fitted with sensors which send in readings on a real-time basis. Through monthly bulk meter readings, we are now able to do water balance calculations for the first time. From Minimum Night Flows we have realized that turning off the water at night is helping bring down NRW even when physical losses have not been fully tackled.”
Eng. Joseph K. Terer, MD
‘In 2017, Muranga Water and Sanitation Company used Washmis Collect App to collect customer and connection data in Maragwa, a low-income area. Analysis of the collected data enabled us to identify illegal connections, faulty water meters and ultimately reduce NRW. Monthly revenues went from KES 300,000 to KES 1,300,000 after implementation of the corrective actions. The main water treatment plant was fitted with a smart meter which sends in readings 24/7 thereby enabling us to understand water consumption patterns within our network."
Eng. Daniel Ng’ang’a, MD
Customer Identification Survey (CIS) in Oloolaiser, Ruiru-juja and Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company- Githurai zone under GFA consulting group
Dreampipe Challenge II (2016-2018) aimed at reducing NRW in Langalanga and Teachers B in Nakuru Rural Water and Sanitation Company.
Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB) / WSUP Mapping and Population Estimation in LIAs (40 WSPs)
Water Sector Trust Fund (WSTF) Infrastructure Mapping for Water Service Providers in Kenya
Washmis roll out in Kericho and Nakuru Rural Water and Sanitation Company.
CIS in Murang’a Water and Sanitation Company
GSMA M4D Utilities Innovation Fund (2015-2017)