Bengaluru water board deploys AI-based tech at 78 pumping stations; expects Rs 40 crore annual savings

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• BWSSB deploys AI-based IPUMPNET tech at 78 pumping stations in Bengaluru
• The move is expected to save over Rs 40 crore annually in electricity costs
• BWSSB becomes first global water utility to adopt AI tech at this scale

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Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) on January 14 said it has deployed an AI-based smart pump monitoring and optimisation technology, IPUMPNET, across 78 of its pumping stations, a move expected to save more than Rs 40 crore annually in electricity costs.

“This new technology is expected to generate annual energy savings of over Rs 40 crore. With this move, BWSSB has achieved the distinction of being the first water supply utility in the world to adopt such advanced technology at this scale,” BWSSB chairman V Ram Prasath Manohar said.

He said IPUMPNET is a fusion of real-time sensors, artificial intelligence (AI) and predictive diagnostics. Unlike traditional methods, the system continuously monitors pump performance and detects “hidden performance losses”.

“The system has already identified several pumps consuming power significantly above their designated limits. Based on this data, the Board has initiated the process of replacing low-efficiency pumps with high-efficiency pumps,” he said.

According to Manohar, the technological upgrade will not only lead to substantial financial savings but also help reduce carbon emissions. “By preventing energy wastage, BWSSB is contributing significantly to Bengaluru’s environmental sustainability,” he said.

He added that the utility is committed to leveraging cutting-edge technologies to improve operational efficiency and service delivery. “IPUMPNET has enabled us to gain a deeper scientific understanding of our pumping infrastructure, helping us optimise energy use and ensure greater reliability in water supply. This initiative marks a transformative phase for BWSSB, setting a new benchmark for innovation in the water sector,” he said.

Manohar further said that by implementing the patented IPUMPNET technology across 78 high-capacity pumping units, BWSSB has achieved a global milestone in water infrastructure management. “This achievement solidifies BWSSB’s position as the first water utility globally to deploy such an advanced AI-based solution at this magnitude,” he said.