Xifeng turns to digital tools to curb rural water loss

Xifeng county in Guizhou province is using digital monitoring to improve the management of rural water supply networks, helping detect leaks more quickly and accurately, reduce water loss and lower operating costs.

In the past, leaks in rural water supply networks were mainly identified through manual inspections or reports from residents. Since most pipes are buried underground, some leaks were difficult to detect in time, resulting in water loss and higher operating costs.

To address the problem, Xifeng has introduced a digital monitoring system and divided the water supply network into separate zones. Flow meters and pressure sensors installed in different areas continuously monitor water flow and pressure. When abnormal flow or a drop in pressure is detected, the system sends an alert, allowing workers to locate and repair leaks based on the data instead of checking pipes section by section.

In February 2025, Xifeng launched a pilot project in the county seat, dividing the water supply network into five metering zones and installing 44 flow meters and pressure sensors. Since the system went into operation, the gap between water supplied and water billed has fallen from a peak of 39 percent to around 17 percent.

In March 2026, Xifeng extended the approach to rural areas, launching a water network leakage control project in Shidong township. So far, 50 leaks have been repaired and 860 meters of aging pipes have been replaced. The gap between water supplied and water billed in the area has fallen from 49.15 percent to 38.48 percent.