ABB’s AquaMaster supports India’s water network with accurate flow measurement

By OEM Update Editorial April 4, 2024 6:33 pm IST

When first introduced globally, AquaMaster was the world’s first battery powered electromagnetic flowmeter.

ABB’s AquaMaster electromagnetic flowmeters were first introduced in India 20 years ago with the first installation in the city of Bengaluru. Today, there are approximately 500 units in operation in the city, helping the water utility with accurate flow measurement. ABB has supplied the AquaMaster to 15 cities spread across 8 states. Over the years, the association that started with Bengaluru has grown with approximately 2000 units operating in the country, in states such as Gujarat, Rajasthan, Odisha, New Delhi and more.

AquaMaster measures water flow in real time, tracking the exact quantities of water passing through the water network. The flowmeter improves control at pumping stations and reservoirs, helping water utilities measure and optimize water use. Additionally, it enables metering to ensure efficient & equitable water distribution even in areas without power, this helps utilities to pump and distribute treated river water to rural homes.

“Water is an essential resource and basic necessity, hence there is a lot of focus to minimize the water crisis faced globally,” said Krishana Prashanth, Global Product Line Manager Electromagnetic Flowmeters, ABB Measurement & Analytics. “The UN predicts a global water deficit of 40 percent by 2030. As one of the water stressed countries, India is also looking for ways in which it can improve its water network and effective supply. ABB has been a key player in safeguarding India’s water distribution systems through the AquaMaster by guarding against pipeline water losses in the distribution system and helping save water through more efficient resource management.”

The flowmeter offers measurement accuracy down to flow velocities lower than 0.1m/s and detects leaks faster than many conventional solutions. As such AquaMaster is ideal for detecting small but continuous leaks that exacerbate water shortages. This serves as a critical component for leak management within water networks by providing highly reliable low flow measurement performance. The accurate measurement coupled with remote monitoring also helps in managing water thefts, leaks & contributing for NRW reduction.

AquaMaster was the world’s first battery powered electromagnetic flowmeter for water distribution networks. It was invented by ABB engineers in 1988. A series of inventions followed suit, with AquaMaster becoming, amongst others, the world’s first flowmeter with an in-situ electromagnetic verification system in 1996, and the world’s first self-verifying flowmeter in 2006. In 2022, ABB introduced the digital metering