2 September 2025, The Water Authority of Fiji (WAF) is advancing its digital transformation journey by upgrading its water infrastructure through the deployment of Itron’s smart water solutions in partnership with Pacific Technologies. This marks the first smart metering initiative in the Fiji Islands, aligning with WAF’s long-term vision to modernize operations and enhance service delivery.

Deployment commenced in May 2025 and is scheduled for completion in Q3 2025. The initiative directly supports WAF’s Water Sector Strategy 2050, which outlines five strategic outcomes: access to clean water, safe sanitation, improved livability and sustainability, financial stability, and development of a skilled workforce.

A major challenge for WAF is the reduction of non-revenue water, which currently represents an estimated 47% of water produced and treated. To address this, WAF is replacing its existing meters with Itron mechanical meters equipped with Cyble communications modules, converting them into advanced smart meters. The Cyble module’s simple, clip-on design requires no wiring or wall mounting, ensuring a cost-efficient and scalable upgrade process.

Consumption data collected from the smart meters will be managed through Itron’s Temetra platform, a cloud-based, multi-vendor, multi-commodity meter data management solution. Temetra enables automated data collection via drive-by technology, eliminating manual meter reading and ensuring data integrity for billing and operational needs. Beyond billing, the system provides advanced analytics to detect apparent and real water losses, helping WAF to significantly reduce non-revenue water.

The deployment is designed to seamlessly integrate with WAF’s existing technologies, giving the utility a holistic view of its water network. This integration enhances operational visibility, improves resource allocation, and supports long-term sustainability objectives.

“We have a long-term vision for the future of water in Fiji. Step by step, we are striving to improve water operations and create a resilient and reliable water network. One key benefit of deploying Itron’s Cyble module is that it’s scalable. This allows us to expand our smart metering program gradually, based on our priorities and budget,” said Josateki Sivo, Head of Customer Metering and Installation at WAF.

“This is a monumental milestone as we continue to pursue our Water Sector Strategy 2050. The simplicity of installation will enable us to quickly realize benefits, particularly in reducing and identifying non-revenue water loss. We are proud to collaborate with Itron and Pacific Technologies in deploying this solution, which will also create opportunities for expansion across the Pacific region,” said Danish Khalil, General Manager, Pacific Technologies (New Zealand) Limited.

Given Fiji’s coastal geography, WAF infrastructure is exposed to salt spray from the South Pacific Ocean, leading to risks of corrosion. Itron’s Cyble module is designed for durability, offering resistance to corrosion, contaminants, and extreme temperatures—reducing long-term maintenance costs and minimizing replacements.

“WAF’s deployment sets a practical model for smart water management. Our solutions are designed to withstand challenging environments while helping utilities digitalize at their own pace. We are pleased to support WAF in its journey toward a more efficient, resilient, and customer-focused water network,” said Justin Patrick, Senior Vice President, Device Solutions at Itron.