New message to the world of water management

Water-efficiency management company MIYA Water believes that a holistic, integrated approach to water management yields the best results.

People try to confront water losses through different methods – leak detection, pressure management, asset management and metering – and seldom tackle everything together. Water utilities typically use one company for engineering and planning, another company for pressure management, and another for leak detection. This removes accountability from all companies. MIYA has a holistic approach to non-revenue water (NRW),” explains Noam Komy, chief growth officer at MIYA.

NRW is a global phenomenon; an average of 34% of treated water never reaches its destination worldwide. South Africa’s NRW is close to 40%.

“There is little point in building dams and increasing water supply when one is losing 40% of one’s existing supply,” states Komy.

Commercial elements, legalities, pressure, leaks, repairs and maintenance are tackled as a complete water efficiency project by MIYA. By using a turnkey approach, the company is held accountable for achieving a specific result.

“Everything must work together and must be coordinated to get a maximum impact,” adds Komy. “For example, leak detection and pressure management must be combined. High pressure intensifies existing leaks. If pressure in the system is reduced, leak detection will be affected.”

MIYA also uses a degree of flexibility when tackling a water-efficiency project. “South African cities are changing at a rapid rate and while it is important to develop a plan, it is

equally important to be flexible in the plan’s implementation. For example, the original plan may focus on water pressure but, once work starts, it may become apparent that there should be a greater focus on service connections,” says Komy. Tenders should always include quality and should not be solely price-driven. MIYA focuses on material specifications and the quality of work, as water infrastructure should be durable and have longevity. Output-based approach MIYA typically enters into performancebased contracts with clients, where a certain portion of its fee is fixed and another portion is related to savings achieved. “Our contracts are output-driven. NRW projects have a high degree of complexity. Our deliverables are never based on building or replacing assets – MIYA is tasked with achieving (and Commercial elements, legalities, maintaining) an pressure, leaks, repairs and agreed-upon result maintenance are tackled as a complete water efficiency project by MIYA within a stipulated amount of time,” explains Komy.

Noam Komy, chief growth officer at MIYA

MIYA can take care of the commercial management of the project, as well as billing and collections, as these considerations make a project viable. “It is easier for water projects to secure funding when a professional, private company controls billings and collections. MIYA often works on a concession model where we are responsible for the full management of the water system, usually including necessary improvements,” says Komy. South Africa “South Africa is blessed with some brilliant engineers and water scientists and, when working there, MIYA was particularly impressed with South Africa’s emphasis on stakeholder engagement. We have adopted this in the other countries in which we operate,” adds Komy.

Wherever the company operates, MIYA focuses on building local capacity and employing local people. “We create jobs; we do not destroy jobs. All of our projects entail education, training and improvement of the workforce and community. It is incredibly rewarding to be a part of a person’s professional development.”

In the Bahamas, MIYA ran a programme to educate children on water wastage. It then ran a competition where the household that could decrease water usage the most won a prize. Household consumption was measured before and after the programme, and it was found that water wastage was reduced.

Komy believes that South Africa has all of the necessary elements to transform into a top-performing water industry. “There is a greater need for more public-private partnerships, as well as the privatisation of some water utilities. Governance issues and a lack of experience in project preparation are the main problems. Government has to play a role in holding companies accountable for achieving agreed-upon results.”

MIYA WATER

• Established: 2007 • Since 2020, MIYA Water is fully owned by Antin

Infrastructure Partners • Present on five continents • Total employees: 600 • Provides water services to 9 million people around the world