Smart Water Market Driven by Non-Revenue Water Challenges

The market is highly competitive, with major players like IBM, Schneider Electric, Honeywell, and Siemens shaping innovation through AI and smart infrastructure solutions.

Meticulous Research^®�"a leading global market research company, published a research report titled, ‘Smart Water system by Offering (Hardware, Software, Services), Application (Water Management, Leak Detection, Water Quality & Quantity Monitoring, Others), End User (Residential, Commercial, Industrial), & Geography - Global Forecast to 2030.’ According to this latest publication from Meticulous Research^®, in the past few years, we have seen a real shift in how utilities and governments are thinking about water. The days of simply patching leaks and replacing broken pipes are fading. Now, there’s real momentum behind smarter water systems �" ones that can predict issues before they become crises. The market for smart water management reflects that change. By 2030, it is expected to reach around $69.6 billion, growing at a steady 14.7% annually from 2023. What is fueling this? A few things stand out: First, the massive problem of non-revenue water. That is water that never gets billed because it is lost in the system �" through leaks, theft, or poor metering. Then there is the infrastructure itself. Much of it is decades old, and retrofitting is not optional anymore. Governments, especially in places focused on smart cities, are pushing for innovation. But this shift does not come cheap. The cost of implementation and the challenge of merging new tech with outdated systems are real roadblocks. Despite that, one thing is clear: smart water meters are catching on fast. They are not just about data �" they are about using that data to manage water more responsibly.

Smart Water Systems by Offering �" Where the Market Stands in 2023

Smart water management tends to get broken down into three main areas: hardware, software, and services. Last year, hardware came out on top �" and honestly, that makes sense. Smart meters, sensors, and wireless transmitters are everywhere now. Utilities are using them not just to read usage remotely, but to spot leaks, reduce waste, and make billing more accurate without sending someone out in a truck. A solid example? Sardinia. The island rolled out smart meters in early 2023 to help curb water loss and improve efficiency. It is a good example of how regions with aging infrastructure are leaning on tech to modernize their systems without starting from scratch. But there is a shift happening. While hardware still holds the biggest share, software is catching up �" fast. What I am seeing is that utilities are no longer just collecting data; they are starting to act on it. Software platforms now help operators monitor systems in real-time, detect anomalies, and even predict where a pipeline failure might happen next. Trimble’s eRespond is a case in point �" it tracks incidents from the first report all the way to resolution and documentation. That kind of integration is making software less of a support tool and more of a core part of how utilities operate day-to-day.

Application-Based Insights into the Smart Water Management Market

The range of applications under smart water management is growing wider every year. Today, it includes everything from water quality monitoring and asset lifecycle management to stormwater prediction systems, real-time analytics, and leak detection platforms. In 2023, the water quality and quantity monitoring segment take the lead �" and for good reason. Utilities are under pressure to meet stricter water safety standards and ensure supply reliability, especially as climate risks grow. Smart sensors that can detect changes in pH, temperature, or microbial presence are now essential in identifying issues before they turn into emergencies. One example of this shift is Brunei’s 2022 rollout of a networked smart water monitoring system. It now serves as an early-warning tool for floods and infrastructure strain. Beyond Brunei, places like Singapore, California, and parts of Western Europe are scaling similar tech for monitoring drinking water pipelines and wastewater treatment facilities, tying the data into centralized dashboards for faster response. That said, the fastest-growing application is not monitoring alone �" it is smart water management and distribution. As cities expand, outdated infrastructure struggles to keep up. Distribution losses remain a massive issue, particularly in regions where nearly a third of treated water goes unaccounted for. Smart water management platforms are being used to reduce that gap. They automate system responses, reroute flows during disruptions, and identify leak-prone zones long before a pipe bursts. Dubai's DEWA system is a great case study �" it remotely monitors citywide water flows, enabling near-instant control adjustments, and supports predictive maintenance. Other global utilities are now benchmarking against similar systems, as governments invest heavily in water sustainability and urban resilience.

End-user Insights into Global Smart Water Management Adoption

In many industries, water usage is not just about cost �" it is tied directly to performance, compliance, and sustainability. That is why the industrial sector is currently the biggest user of smart water technologies. Manufacturers, energy companies, and chemical plants are adopting tools that help them understand how water flows through their systems. These setups offer real-time tracking, highlight inefficiencies, and support environmental goals, all while helping companies stay within regulatory limits. A case in point: Saint-Gobain upgraded its plant in Social Circle, Georgia, back in 2022 with smart water meters and modernized equipment. The move helped the company get better control over water use in its production processes. On a different note, equipment providers are also evolving �" Grundfos recently rolled out smart-connected pumps in Singapore that can track performance data and notify teams when maintenance is needed. Still, it is not just factories making the switch. The residential sector is catching up fast, especially as water leaks and overuse become bigger concerns. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, about 10% of homes have leaks that waste nearly 100 gallons a day. That is not just water lost �" it is money, too. This has led to a spike in smart meter installations in homes, where people want accurate billing and leak detection alerts. With smart homes becoming more mainstream, smart water tools are naturally following.

 

Exploring the Global Surge in IoT-Driven Water Monitoring Systems

Across the globe, how we manage water is undergoing a real transformation. In 2023, North America led the smart water management market, driven by cities and utilities upgrading to digital systems that can detect leaks, monitor flow, and reduce waste without needing manual intervention. Tools using smart water technology and IoT water management are becoming the new norm �" not just to cut costs, but to improve day-to-day reliability. Meanwhile, the Asia-Pacific region is growing rapidly in this space. As urban populations rise and fresh water becomes scarcer, the region is doubling down on digital tools for smarter water monitoring. Cities are deploying intelligent water management systems for everything from irrigation in agriculture to metering water use in high-density housing. What is interesting is how this tech is being localized �" adapted for both urban slums and upscale developments alike. Also worth noting is how private industries are adopting smart water commercial solutions. From manufacturing facilities to real estate developers, more are choosing smart systems to gain better visibility over consumption, catch leaks early, and automate billing processes. These shifts show that modern water management is not just a public sector responsibility anymore �" it is a shared priority.

Key Players:

Some of the key players operating in the global smart water management market are IBM Corporation (U.S.), ABB Ltd. (Switzerland), Honeywell International Inc. (U.S.), Schneider Electric SE (France), Cisco Systems, Inc. (U.S.), Sensus (U.S.), Mueller Water Products, Inc. (U.S.), Trimble Inc. (U.S.), Arad Group (Israel), Oracle Corporation (U.S.), Badger Meter, Inc. (U.S.), Landis+Gyr Group AG (Switzerland), Kamstrup A/S (Denmark), SUEZ SA (France), HydroPoint (U.S.), Siemens AG (Germany), Itron, Inc. (U.S.), Endress+Hauser AG (Switzerland) and Neptune Technology Group Inc. (U.S.).

Key questions answered in the report:

What is the projected value of the global smart water management market by 2030?

What is the estimated CAGR of the smart water management market between 2023 and 2030?

Which offering segment�"hardware, software, or services�"held the largest share of the market in 2023?

Why is hardware still dominating the smart water management market?

Which application area led the market in 2023, and why?

What role does water quality and quantity monitoring play in smart utilities today?

Why does the industrial segment account for the largest share in the market?

What benefits do manufacturing companies gain from smart water management tools?

Why did North America lead the global smart water management market in 2023?

What factors are driving Asia-Pacific to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period?

How are IoT and AI transforming the landscape of water management?

In what ways are utilities shifting from data collection to data action through software?

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