SABESP manages one of Brazil’s largest urban water networks, serving millions across São Paulo. Recognising the opportunity to optimise their extensive infrastructure and meet growing demand more efficiently, the utility proactively sought innovative solutions to enhance network performance and deliver even more reliable service to its customers.
THE CHALLENGE
Managing water loss in São Paulo’s extensive network is not easy, so SABESP decided to tackle the issue head-on. Their NRW team had valuable data but saw an opportunity to turn it into faster, more confident decisions that would reduce losses and improve service.
Key challenges:
- High water losses are hidden across a massive, aging network
- A wealth of raw data, with too little insights for daily decisions
- Need for more visibility on the root causes of water loss
- Limited time, budget, and staff in a complex urban network
THE SOLUTION
SABESP knows where their water goes; they just need a faster way to detect the root causes of losses. Using Flowless AI-powered software, the field team gets actionable insights built on the pressure and flow data they already have. Instead of spending their time on manual data analysis, they used the advanced analytics to break down losses into their components, simulate the impact of pressure management, and track the impact through the easy-to-use Flowless’ software app. The outcome: less water lost and lower energy bills, without the need for major investments in new IT infrastructure or major network changes.
RESULTS
- A simple pressure adjustment, based on advanced analysis of field data, helped cut water losses by about 9% without the need for major efforts or huge IT investments.
- Lower pressure meant less strain on pumps and pipes, saving energy and reducing the risk of bursts.
- Fewer emergency repairs and service interruptions leads to steadier service for the local community.
- Operators gained clarity and confidence, turning routine data into real progress every day.
– Alexandre Marques, Operations Manager of the Eastern Regional Directorate, SABESPOctopo (Flowless AI agent) was excellent in identifying problems fast. The agility of the software helped us make quicker decisions and achieve a 9% water loss reduction in the pilot area.
