ABB has launched AquaMaster+, a digital platform aimed at helping water utilities in India monitor, analyze and manage distribution networks more efficiently, with a focus on detecting pipeline losses and optimizing operations.
The integrated platform combines hardware, advanced software and cloud-based decision-making tools. It can be deployed by water companies using ABB’s AquaMaster4 flowmeters or operated as a standalone software solution integrated with existing systems.
The launch comes as ABB marks 20 years of AquaMaster electromagnetic flowmeters in India. From its first installation in Bengaluru, the technology has grown to nearly 2,000 units across 15 cities in eight states, including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Odisha and Delhi. Bengaluru alone has around 500 units, providing the city’s water utility with real-time flow measurement across its network.
“With pressure mounting on water resources globally, a great deal of work is done to prevent losses in the distribution system and to help save water through more efficient resource management,” said Raghu Kumar NV, Global Product Manager, ABB’s Measurement & Analytics division. “AquaMaster+ will enable this work by connecting water utilities to crucial flow measurement insights from their AquaMaster4 or other devices, helping the water sector outrun – leaner and cleaner.”
AquaMaster+ provides utilities with fleet-level and device-level insights. Its fleet management capabilities include an overview of connected assets and GIS mapping, while device-level tools provide visibility into changes in flow and pressure, diagnostics and remote configuration.
The platform's remote configuration and management capabilities are designed to speed up responses while reducing the need for field visits and associated travel costs. Real-time monitoring can also help utilities identify potential problems earlier and respond proactively.
By storing device and generic event logs, AquaMaster+ enables operators to compare parameters such as flow rate and pressure over time, helping identify anomalies and potential issues before they escalate.
The platform also supports virtual flowmeters, allowing utilities to model different scenarios, simulate potential outcomes and compare them with real-world conditions. ABB said the capability is intended to support faster, more informed operational decisions.
AquaMaster+ is designed with intuitive navigation and requires minimal training, which ABB says can reduce the scope for human error while giving operators quicker access to critical network information.
At the hardware level, ABB’s AquaMaster flowmeters measure water flow in real time, tracking the volume of water moving through a network. The meters can measure flow velocities below 0.1m/s and are designed to detect leaks faster than many conventional solutions. In 2022, AquaMaster4 Mobile Comms became the world’s first electromagnetic flowmeter with bidirectional connectivity.
ABB, which has more than 50 years of experience in the water industry, offers a broad portfolio covering water management and water analysis technologies as utilities increasingly turn to digital tools to improve network efficiency and reduce water losses.
