GWF and WfW: Lucerne Alliance for New Approaches to Water Supply Worldwide

Water losses due to leaks in the pipe network pose a global challenge for water suppliers. The unused water literally represents lost revenue, which is then unavailable for the maintenance, operation, and expansion of drinking water networks. The Lucerne-based technology company GWF AG and the non-profit organization Water for Water (WfW) are now tackling this problem together: Their partnership combines Lucerne-based measurement technology with years of experience in developing water supply systems in small towns facing particular pressure to create a supply that can be self-financing in the long term. The pilot project "Water in a Box" in Zambia is already showing promising initial results.

Billions of people worldwide lack safe access to clean drinking water. One of the underestimated challenges is the same globally, yet varies greatly from place to place: While water losses in the network, known as non-revenue water, are generally low in Switzerland, large quantities of drinking water are often lost internationally before reaching households. Without accurate data, the basis for efficient management, and thus for the economic viability of the systems, is lacking. This is precisely where the new partnership between the Lucerne-based technology company with a 125-year tradition and the non-profit organization comes in.

Technology meets contextual knowledge

“The challenges in the water sector are too complex to be solved in isolation,” says Florian Strasser, CEO and Chairman of GWF AG. “We contribute our technological expertise in measurement and data analysis. WfW provides the crucial operational know-how on the ground and the necessary social integration. This collaboration, which also includes responsibility for installation and operation, enables us to achieve a sustainable impact for the local community.”

In this integrated model, the quality of the measurement technology and data transmission plays a crucial role. The technologies developed and produced in Lucerne can fully demonstrate their strengths in demanding installation environments.

Pilot project «Water in a Box» in Zambia

Specifically, the collaboration will be implemented in the first pilot project, "Water in a Box," in the small town of Pemba in Zambia's southern province. There, the water supply is often hampered by a lack of revenue and inadequate maintenance. To counteract this, GWF and WfW are jointly ensuring a sustainably functioning system: GWF is supplying solar-powered measuring technology and the digital infrastructure for monitoring and billing, while WfW is installing the systems and will operate them as a licensed water supplier.

Digital monitoring makes water flows transparent for the first time. This allows not only for the detection of leaks, but also for a significant reduction in water loss through targeted pressure regulation. "If we can reduce water losses and fairly bill for actual consumption, we create a system that is financially self-sustaining, socially accepted, and provides people with secure access to water in the long term, without being permanently dependent on external funding," explains Lior Etter, Co-Director of Water for Water.

A model with scaling potential

Preparations are well underway to expand the concept tested in Pemba to supply water to other small towns. In Zambia's Southern Province alone, around 150 comparable towns face similar challenges.

The cross-sectoral Lucerne alliance thus proves that entrepreneurial thinking and social impact are not contradictory, but rather prerequisites for long-term solutions in the water sector. With this shared understanding, the two Lucerne stakeholders are also working to raise public awareness of other water-related issues and to jointly address them.

About GWF AG
GWF AG, headquartered in Lucerne, is an internationally active family business with over 125 years of experience in the development and production of metering systems for water, gas, heat, and electricity. GWF offers innovative system solutions for the acquisition, communication, and analysis of consumption data. Through its own technologies and strategic partnerships, GWF creates scalable and sustainable solutions that support energy suppliers, industrial companies, property managers, and operators of critical infrastructure in successfully meeting the challenges of the water and energy transition. Further information: www.gwf-group.com.

About WATER FOR WATER (WfW)
WATER FOR WATER (WfW) is a politically and religiously independent non-profit organization based in Lucerne, Switzerland. Since 2012, WfW has been working in Switzerland, Zambia, and Mozambique to promote the fair and responsible use of water. A key focus is on functioning water systems: from technical implementation and building expertise to economically viable structures. In addition, WfW raises public awareness and promotes knowledge and responsibility related to water through educational programs in public spaces and schools. Further information: www.wfw.ch.