Sustainable Urban Water Management: A Review of Innovative Technologies and Strategies for Smart Cities

Abstract

This paper reviews innovative technologies and strategies for sustainable urban water management in smart cities. It examines IoT-based monitoring, AI-driven water quality prediction, rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, and green infrastructure. These approaches reduce water scarcity, enhance quality, and promote resilience. The study highlights their potential for scalable implementation, addressing urban water challenges through integrated, technology-driven solutions.

Introduction

Nagpur, a rapidly growing tier-2 smart city in Maharashtra, faces significant challenges in urban water management due to increasing demand, climate variability, and aging infrastructure. To ensure sustainable urban water management (SUWM), Nagpur has initiated projects like the 24x7 water supply under a public-private partnership to reduce water losses and improve service. Future strategies emphasize integrated water resource management, leveraging IoT-based water metering, GIS mapping, and smart leakage detection to optimize usage. Circular economy principles are applied through treated wastewater reuse, and nature-based solutions such as rainwater harvesting and decentralized wastewater treatment are promoted in peri-urban areas. Success depends on policy reforms, community engagement, and digital governance.

A review of global best practices and technologies—IoT sensors, AI analytics, rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, and green infrastructure—shows promising results. IoT and AI enable real-time monitoring, leak detection, and predictive contamination control, achieving up to 20% water loss reduction and 85% forecasting accuracy. Nature-based approaches in cities like Copenhagen and Singapore significantly reduce runoff and support non-potable water needs.

Integrated approaches combining technology and ecological solutions improve water resilience but face barriers such as high costs and need for technical expertise. Policy incentives and public awareness are critical to scaling sustainable urban water management. Overall, Nagpur’s model exemplifies how mid-sized cities can blend innovation, nature, and governance for resilient and efficient water futures.

Conclusion

This review underscores the transformative potential of IoT, AI, and nature-based strategies in urban water management. Smart cities can achieve water security by integrating these technologies, reducing waste, and enhancing resilience. Future research should focus on cost-effective scaling, community engagement, and policy frameworks to support widespread adoption, ensuring sustainable water management for growing urban populations.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Pranjali Karhade, Dilip Budhlani, Swapnil Fate. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.