NRW Assessment for Denpasar Smart Water Management

NRW Reduction through DMA Establishment, AI-Based Leak Detection, GIS and Digital Mapping, and Non Technical Losses Assessment

Client/Beneficiary: PDAM Tirta Sewakadarma Denpasar, supported by the Ministry of Public Works and Housing (Indonesia)

Project Context

Denpasar, the capital of Bali, is a city under constant pressure to balance its growing population, booming tourism industry, and limited freshwater resources. The local water utility, PDAM Denpasar, has long struggled with high levels of Non-Revenue Water (NRW), water that is produced but lost before reaching customers due to leaks, theft, or administrative inefficiencies. This issue not only strains the city’s water supply but also threatens the sustainability of its future growth.

Recognizing the scale of the challenge, K-Water from Korea led a comprehensive Smart Water Management (SWM) initiative in Denpasar, supported by Hankook Engineering as the lead implementer. Portions of the project were entrusted to Beomhan Co., Ltd., which in turn engaged WI.Plat and its Indonesian partner, SUPRA, to deliver local expertise and field execution. This collaboration became one of the most ambitious NRW reduction efforts ever attempted in Bali

Project Challenges

The project faced obstacles at multiple levels. Denpasar’s aging pipe network was prone to leaks, with some zones suffering from chronic low pressure. Many customer records were incomplete or outdated, complicating the task of mapping demand. Administrative inefficiencies, lack of reliable GIS data, and fragmented monitoring systems created further barriers to building an integrated NRW management strategy.

At the same time, the work demanded careful coordination among diverse stakeholders: Korean technology providers, Indonesian ministries, PDAM Denpasar, and local communities. Balancing technical interventions with on-the-ground realities of customer engagement and public acceptance was as much a diplomatic challenge as it was an engineering one.

Project Approach

SUPRA’s role was to act as the local execution partner, translating high-level strategies into practical fieldwork. Working alongside WI.Plat and Beomhan, SUPRA carried out a wide range of activities:

• Customer and administrative surveys, ensuring that PDAM’s customer database matched actual field conditions.


• Leakage investigations and NRW checks, supported by pressure monitoring and flow meter calibration.


• GIS and digital mapping, consolidating ground surveys with GPS/GNSS technology to create accurate system models.


• District Meter Area (DMA) support, including delineation of service boundaries, installation of data loggers, and verification of network pressures.


• Technology integration, applying AI-based tools from WI.Plat to enhance leak detection efficiency and improve prioritization of interventions.


• Stakeholder coordination, facilitating smooth communication between PDAM field teams, Beomhan’s management, and local communities.

Through these steps, SUPRA provided technical value and bridged the cultural and operational gaps between international contractors and local institutions.

Project Impact

Although still in phases, the project has already resulting measurable progress. By introducing systematic DMA monitoring and applying AI-assisted detection, NRW reduction is moving from reactive pipe repair toward predictive, data-driven management. Pressure stabilization in pilot areas has improved service reliability, while more accurate customer records have strengthened billing and reduced hidden losses.

The project has had a strategic impact: it has built the foundation for Denpasar to adopt a modern Smart Water Management system, one that integrates advanced Korean technologies with local operational capacity. SUPRA’s involvement has ensured that the project remains grounded in practical, field-level execution, while strengthening PDAM’s long-term ability to sustain improvements.

Key Facts

• Project Name: Smart Water Management – Denpasar NRW Reduction Initiative


• Location: Denpasar City, Bali, Indonesia


• Lead Contractor: Hankook Engineering (Korea)


• Supporting Contractor: Beomhan Co., Ltd. (Korea)


• Technology Partner: WI.Plat (Korea)


• Local Execution Partner: SUPRA Internasional Indonesia


• Impact: Establishing the groundwork for NRW reduction from ~36% toward below 20% in selected pilot zones