Improvement of the hydraulic efficiency of Bahrain’s drinking water transport and distribution network

EWA aims to increase its efficiency within the framework of Bahrain’s Fiscal Transformation Plan  which is part of its Fiscal Balance Program, while fulfilling its mission to provide a reliable, high-quality water supply to move towards sustainable development for the country. One of the key initiatives to achieve this objective is the reduction of Non-Revenue Water (NRW) in the EWA network to minimise economic losses. 

The project entitled “NRW Reduction & Management 841/2022/BTB (2022-204-PM-WDD)” was awarded to Idrica (Global Omnium Idrica, S.L.) in June 2023 with a completion date of September 2023. 

The purpose of the project was to reduce water losses in ten assigned DMAs. The Xylem Vue powered by GoAigua platform and the Portal, Leak Detection, Work Orders and BI applications were deployed to reach this goal. Different specialists were also mobilised in the field, including a Project Manager from Idrica, two expert leak detection operators and four labourers hired locally.   

Finally, a three-, five- and ten-year masterplan was presented to undertake maintenance across the EWA network to reduce technical NRW losses in distribution based on prevention, detection and localisation.

The project team followed these steps to meet all its contractual requirements and achieve a reduction in water losses of 2,900 m3/day with a hit rate > 85%, in over 370 km of Bahrain’s water distribution network. 

Idrica was expected to undertake all the actions that they considered necessary to cut NRW and identify efficient solutions to achieve sustainable and durable NRW reduction in the selected DMAs with a focus on technical losses.  

Idrica’s work consisted of the following: 

• DMA validation including GIS connections 
• Refining the water balance 
• Network characteristic analysis 
• Leak detection, resolution of network incidents and supporting field investigations of unauthorised consumption cases 
• Sensor deployment 
• Results analysis 
• Proof of concept design 
• Training and knowledge transfer for EWA staff