Review of the emerging technologies in the water sector with a focus on the deployment of Internet of Things solutions

Patrick Ouma Obunga; Sophia Sudi Rwanga; Megersa Olumana Dinka; Benton Onyango Otieno

doi:10.1038/s41545-025-00487-x

Review of the emerging technologies in the water sector with a focus on the deployment of Internet of Things solutions

Patrick Ouma Obunga
, Sophia Sudi Rwanga
, Megersa Olumana Dinka
, Benton Onyango Otieno

Civil Engineering Science

University of Johannesburg

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The study focused on identification of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions that can be used in the management of non-revenue water (NRW) in water distribution networks (WDN). The review show that water utilities incur significant revenue losses due to NRW emanating from leaks, illegal connections, and non-payment of water bills. The uptake, adoption, and deployment of IoT solutions can contribute to the realization of new products and services, sustainable development solutions, transformation, and enhanced decision-making, in the water sector. Overally, IoT solutions can help water utilities improve operations and management of WDN and minimize NRW, which aligns with the anticipated impact of the study on contributing to and enhancing the realization of resilient smart cities. Finally, the novelty of the study is to demonstrate the potential of translating theoretical innovations and technologies into industrial/ practical applications and commercialization.

Original language	English
Article number	53
Journal	npj Clean Water
Volume	8
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/s41545-025-00487-x
Publication status	Published - Dec 2025

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Water Science and Technology
Waste Management and Disposal
Pollution
Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1038/s41545-025-00487-x

Cite this

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title = "Review of the emerging technologies in the water sector with a focus on the deployment of Internet of Things solutions",

abstract = "The study focused on identification of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions that can be used in the management of non-revenue water (NRW) in water distribution networks (WDN). The review show that water utilities incur significant revenue losses due to NRW emanating from leaks, illegal connections, and non-payment of water bills. The uptake, adoption, and deployment of IoT solutions can contribute to the realization of new products and services, sustainable development solutions, transformation, and enhanced decision-making, in the water sector. Overally, IoT solutions can help water utilities improve operations and management of WDN and minimize NRW, which aligns with the anticipated impact of the study on contributing to and enhancing the realization of resilient smart cities. Finally, the novelty of the study is to demonstrate the potential of translating theoretical innovations and technologies into industrial/ practical applications and commercialization.",

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doi = "10.1038/s41545-025-00487-x",

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AU - Obunga, Patrick Ouma

AU - Rwanga, Sophia Sudi

AU - Dinka, Megersa Olumana

AU - Otieno, Benton Onyango

PY - 2025/12

Y1 - 2025/12

N2 - The study focused on identification of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions that can be used in the management of non-revenue water (NRW) in water distribution networks (WDN). The review show that water utilities incur significant revenue losses due to NRW emanating from leaks, illegal connections, and non-payment of water bills. The uptake, adoption, and deployment of IoT solutions can contribute to the realization of new products and services, sustainable development solutions, transformation, and enhanced decision-making, in the water sector. Overally, IoT solutions can help water utilities improve operations and management of WDN and minimize NRW, which aligns with the anticipated impact of the study on contributing to and enhancing the realization of resilient smart cities. Finally, the novelty of the study is to demonstrate the potential of translating theoretical innovations and technologies into industrial/ practical applications and commercialization.

AB - The study focused on identification of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions that can be used in the management of non-revenue water (NRW) in water distribution networks (WDN). The review show that water utilities incur significant revenue losses due to NRW emanating from leaks, illegal connections, and non-payment of water bills. The uptake, adoption, and deployment of IoT solutions can contribute to the realization of new products and services, sustainable development solutions, transformation, and enhanced decision-making, in the water sector. Overally, IoT solutions can help water utilities improve operations and management of WDN and minimize NRW, which aligns with the anticipated impact of the study on contributing to and enhancing the realization of resilient smart cities. Finally, the novelty of the study is to demonstrate the potential of translating theoretical innovations and technologies into industrial/ practical applications and commercialization.

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M3 - Review article

AN - SCOPUS:105007940309

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VL - 8

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ER -

Review of the emerging technologies in the water sector with a focus on the deployment of Internet of Things solutions

Abstract

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

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Fingerprint

Researchers at University of Johannesburg Release New Study Findings on Water Supply (Review of the emerging technologies in the water sector with a focus on the deployment of Internet of Things solutions)

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Review of the emerging technologies in the water sector with a focus on the deployment of Internet of Things solutions

Abstract

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Press/Media

Researchers at University of Johannesburg Release New Study Findings on Water Supply (Review of the emerging technologies in the water sector with a focus on the deployment of Internet of Things solutions)

Cite this