Sambalpur, Odisha — The Water Corporation of Odisha has started installing smart water meters in five cities on a pilot basis, aiming to improve billing efficiency and reduce water wastage.

Background

The initiative is part of the state’s efforts to upgrade its urban water supply infrastructure. The Water Corporation of Odisha, under the guidance of Housing and Urban Development minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, has taken a significant step towards modernizing its water management systems.

The corporation plans to install around 50,000 smart water meters in Bhubaneswar, Puri, Cuttack, Rourkela, and Berhampur in the first phase. This includes 20,000 smart meters in Bhubaneswar, 10,000 in Cuttack, and the rest in Rourkela, Berhampur, and Puri. According to WATCO managing director Debabrata Mohanty, the smart meters will replace existing meters without any additional cost burden on consumers.

The smart meters will help in real-time tracking of water use and in water audit, especially for non-revenue water, which is treated and pumped but lost before reaching the users, generating no income for the utility. The effort is to improve billing efficiency, reduce water wastage, and strengthen resource management through smart monitoring systems.

Community Impact

The initiative is expected to have a significant impact on the community, with the potential to serve an estimated population of over 4.91 million through 7,63,082 household connections. As of March 2026, WATCO has achieved a major milestone by ensuring 100 per cent household water supply coverage across all 29 urban local bodies (ULBs) under its jurisdiction.

The corporation has also implemented the ‘Drink from Tap’ (DFT) initiative, which currently provides 24×7 potable water supply in 11 ULBs. Work is actively underway to extend the DFT system to 17 additional urban areas, taking the total to 29 urban local bodies.

What Happens Next

The successful implementation of smart water meters in these cities will pave the way for a larger rollout across the state. With a current water supply capacity of 988.89 MLD, significantly exceeding the current urban demand of 700.67 MLD, the corporation is well-positioned to meet the growing needs of its customers.

As the project moves forward, residents of these cities can expect improved water management and reduced wastage. The initiative is a significant step towards ensuring efficient use of resources and providing better services to the community.