Meters are part of Itron’s smart water solution, which the Water Authority of Fiji is deploying to enable digital upgrades to infrastructure and operations.
Energy, water, smart city and intelligent infrastructure services company Itron and technology partner, Pacific Technologies, are working together with Fiji’s primary water utility, the Water Authority of Fiji (Waf), on the first smart metering deployment on the Fiji Islands.
The meters are part of Itron’s smart water solution, which Waf is deploying to enable digital upgrades to its infrastructure and operations.
The deployment will also help advance Waf’s goal of providing sustainable, cost-effective, efficient and reliable water and sanitation services to its customers. Deployment is currently underway and is projected to finish in Q3 2025.
Deploying Itron’s smart water solution aligns with Waf’s Water Sector Strategy 2050, which outlines five key outcomes the utility is striving to achieve by 2050: clean water, safe sanitation, liveability and sustainability, financial sustainability and skilled workforce.
“We have a long-term vision for the future of water in Fiji. Step by step, we are striving to improve water operations and create a resilient and reliable water network”
Among the hurdles to achieving these outcomes is ageing infrastructure and reducing non-revenue water, which Waf estimates is 47 per cent of the water it produces/treats.
Waf is upgrading its existing meters to Itron mechanical meters affixed with Itron’s Cyble communications modules, transforming them into smart meters. The Cyble module has a simple, clip-on design that requires no wiring or wall mounting, making it an efficient and cost-effective solution for the utility to modernise its water operations.
“We have a long-term vision for the future of water in Fiji. Step by step, we are striving to improve water operations and create a resilient and reliable water network,” said Josateki Sivo, head of customer metering and installation at Water Authority of Fiji. “One key benefit of deploying Itron’s Cyble module is that it’s scalable. This allows us to expand our smart metering programme gradually, based on our priorities and budget.”
Data from the smart meters will be collected via drive by using Temetra, Itron’s globally adopted, cloud-based, multi-vendor, multi-commodity meter data management solution. The Temetra solution will enable the utility to collect and store water consumption data, eliminating the need for manual meter reading. Data can be easily accessed at future dates if billing concerns arise.
Itron’s Cyble modules, coupled with the Temetra solution, will help address the challenge of reducing non-revenue water by providing insights and advanced data analytics to identify both real and apparent water losses across its infrastructure. The Temetra solution will also integrate with Waf’s existing technologies, offering a comprehensive view of the utility’s water infrastructure across the islands. The integration will provide WAF with a holistic view of its water network and enable the utility to identify water inefficiencies.
“This deployment provides a practical model for smart water management, enabling Waf to upgrade its network at its own pace. We look forward to working together and helping Waf advance its digitalisation journey”
“Operating on an island surrounded by the South Pacific Ocean, Waf’s infrastructure is exposed to fine droplets of seawater that are released into the air and carried inland,” said Justin Patrick, senior vice president of device solutions at Itron.
“This salt spray can cause corrosion on metals. Fortunately, Itron’s smart water solution is built to withstand these harsh conditions. Our Cyble module can handle a range of diverse environments and is resistant to corrosion, contaminants and temperature, helping Waf reduce long-term maintenance costs and avoid frequent meter or module replacements.
“This deployment provides a practical model for smart water management, enabling Waf to upgrade its network at its own pace. We look forward to working together and helping Waf advance its digitalisation journey.”
Danish Khalil, general manager of Pacific Technologies (New Zealand), added: “This is a monumental milestone as we continue to pursue our Waf Water Sector Strategy 2050. The simplicity of the installation will enable us to quickly see benefits, including reducing and identifying non-revenue water loss and we look forward to deploying this effective solution across the Pacific Region.”
Why not try these links to see what our SmartCitiesWorld AI can tell you.
(Please note this is an experimental service)
How does Itron’s Cyble module improve water meter scalability and installation?What role does Temetra play in managing water consumption data for Waf?How can smart metering reduce non-revenue water in Fiji’s water network?In what ways does the smart water solution withstand Fiji’s corrosive environment?How does integrating Temetra with existing systems enhance Waf’s water management?