Smart Water Networks and IoT Integration in Saudi Urban Water Distribution

Abstract

Saudi Arabia faces acute water scarcity, with virtually no natural surface water and one of the world’s highest per-capita water use rates (≈263 L/person·day in 2019). To meet demand, the Kingdom relies heavily on desalination (60% of supply) and non-renewable groundwater, making efficient water management both an economic and environmental imperative. Saudi Vision 2030 explicitly calls for “promoting the optimal use of our water resources by reducing consumption and utilizing treated and renewable water”. Smart Water Networks (SWNs) – water distribution systems instrumented with IoT sensors, communication links, and data analytics – offer a key solution. By enabling real-time monitoring, leak detection, demand forecasting, and automated control, SWNs can dramatically reduce non-revenue water and energy use, supporting Vision 2030 goals. For example, smart metering pilots have halved water theft in some cities  and can reduce the carbon footprint of supply through conservation . This review surveys state-of-the-art SWN architecture, environmental impacts, and Saudi deployments. It covers sensors and communication technologies (pressure, flow, quality sensors; LoRaWAN, NB-IoT, satellite, etc.), data platforms and protocols (cloud analytics, MQTT, OPC-UA), and links these to Saudi initiatives (smart metering by the National Water Company, pilot leak-detection projects, NEOM’s water strategy, etc.). Emphasis is placed on conservation, energy efficiency, and sustainability in line with Vision 2030.