27 may 2026

Technology: focus on results

Baseform at IWA Water Loss 2026

Both the keynote presentations and the informal discussions confirm a clear and positive trend: the focus is shifting from digitization as an end in itself to the tangible operational results it can enable. When effectively implemented, it translates into reduced losses, better prioritization of interventions, and greater team integration. The sector already possesses vast amounts of data; the challenge remains transforming that data into rapid, consistent decisions. This process becomes more difficult when the focus is placed too heavily on the technology itself rather than on the operational objectives being pursued. That was precisely the guiding theme of Baseform’s three presentations at the event.

From reactive mode to rational mode

Drawing on experience from dozens of international implementations, João P. Fernandes demonstrated how connecting disparate data—commercial, operational, GIS, maintenance, and telemetry—enables a shift from fragmented operations to management based on results. Key takeaways include: there is no need to wait for perfect systems to get started; continuous water balance analysis by District Metered Area (DMA) allows for prioritizing high-impact interventions; and the management of real and apparent losses, as well as infrastructure renewal, becomes more effective when approached in an integrated manner.

Proactive detection and water loss reduction at Acciona

Eliseu Dias presented results from water supply systems managed by Acciona in Spain, demonstrating how the continuous, integrated analysis of data from multiple, geographically dispersed municipal systems enables the automatic identification of metering errors and anomalies in pressure, flow, and consumption—allowing for a response before problems escalate. The focus shifts from merely triggering alarms to anticipation. Another key takeaway is that the same platform can yield different results across distinct systems; the deciding factor is the quality of the decisions made by the users.

Performance-driven meter renewal

Paula Kawahara presented some of the results achieved by Águas de Santarém in managing apparent losses and demonstrated how existing operational data allows for shifting from a traditional meter-replacement strategy based on age to one focused on optimizing returns and performance. The outcome: greater effectiveness in detecting anomalies and illicit consumption, better-defined replacement cycles, and the integration of real-time telemetry. Beyond merely showcasing technology, Baseform reinforced a simple message at IWA Water Loss 2026: improving water supply system performance depends less on collecting more data and more on transforming existing data into better, faster, and more coordinated decisions.