Pramesh S Jain
BWSSB has emerged as a global model for integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into urban water management, stated Dr.Ram Prasath Manohar V,IAS,Chairman of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) and Managing Director, KPTCL.
Addressing a global audience at the prestigious‘AI Impact Summit 2026′ held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi today,Dr.Manohar participated in a high-level panel discussion titled “From Models to the Masses:Deploying AI for Climate Resilience.
“He detailed BWSSB’s rapid transition from a traditional utility provider to a smart, data-driven organization that uses technology to ensure water security for millions.
Energy Efficiency and Financial Prudence:
During his address,Dr.Manohar highlighted the tangible success of the Board’s ‘IPUMPNET’system,which has revolutionized the management of pumping stations and Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs).
“By deploying AI tools across our pumping stations and STPs,we have optimized operations to achieve annual energy savings exceeding Rs.40 Crore.
This is not just a financial victory but a significant environmental one, as we have drastically reduced our carbon footprint,”Dr.Manohar stated.
Tech-Driven War on Wastage:
Addressing the critical challenge of Non-Revenue Water (NRW), the Chairman announced that the Board has moved beyond manual inspection to high-tech solutions.
He explained that the deployment of AI-enabled Robotics is a game-changer in the Board’s war on wastage.
“We are now using advanced robotics to detect leakages and identify illegal connections with precision,”Dr. Manohar said.
“This shift from reactive to predictive maintenance allows us to save precious water that was previously lost to leakages,ensuring it reaches the citizens who need it most.”
Science-Backed Groundwater Security:
Dr.Manohar also detailed a strategic collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) to bring scientific rigour to the city’s water replenishment efforts.
“We have deployed AI-enabled IoT sensors to monitor groundwater levels in real-time,”he explained.This ensures that our massive initiative to fill 40 lakes with treated water is scientifically tracked.
We are not just filling lakes;we are measuring the ecological impact and the recovery of the water table with precise data.”
Future-Ready Infrastructure and Leadership:
Outlining the roadmap for the immediate future,the Chairman mentioned the proposed implementation of AI-enabled smart water meters for bulk consumers to ensure accurate billing and demand management.
He also announced a major milestone for the city’s water infrastructure the upcoming commissioning of an Advanced AI-Integrated Comprehensive SCADA Management System,which is scheduled to be inaugurated in the coming weeks by the Deputy Chief Minister D.K Shivakumar.
Dr.Manohar attributed these rapid advancements to the state’s political will.This technology-driven transformation is being aggressively pushed under the visionary leadership of our Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivkumar .
Their unwavering support for leveraging technology to benefit the common man has made Bengaluru a pioneer in urban water security,”he affirmed.
The session featured prominent global experts,including representatives from Google DeepMind,IIT Delhi,and the Council on Energy,Environment and Water (CEEW).
