In a strategic effort to combat Gauteng’s escalating water crisis, Vodacom Business, in partnership with Mezzanine, has officially begun rolling out the Digital Water Tower platform — a smart water management solution aimed at improving water supply efficiency and significantly reducing losses across the province.
This innovative system leverages smart metering technology, geospatial data, network topology maps, and demand management reports to provide municipalities with real-time insights into water usage patterns. By identifying inefficiencies and optimizing water distribution, the platform is designed to curb wastage and enhance operational performance.
The initiative is being implemented in two phases. The first phase focuses on analyzing water consumption trends using existing datasets, while the second will involve identifying areas for intervention and monitoring the effectiveness of implemented solutions. Backed by the Strategic Water Partners Network (SWPN), the project is aligned with national priorities to address non-revenue water and improve sustainability in municipal services.
Gauteng, the most populous province in South Africa, has been grappling with water supply constraints exacerbated by aging infrastructure, rapid urbanization, and high per capita consumption — levels that exceed global daily averages. The Digital Water Tower initiative is expected to strengthen collaboration between residents, municipalities, and various stakeholders to ensure more sustainable and equitable water access.
In support of broader national objectives, Vodacom has also been appointed as a smart metering service provider under the RT29 transversal contract by the National Treasury. This designation allows local governments to procure approved water and electricity metering solutions directly from Vodacom, paving the way for scalable deployments across multiple municipalities.
