Lemvig Vand - Setting New Standards for Minimising Water Loss
Lemvig Vand is taking the lead in the industry by demonstrating how data can ensure minimal water loss, increased supply security, and energy efficiency in the future. The company is currently installing over 9,000 digital meters.
Lemvig Vand is undertaking a major digitalisation project. By replacing 9,500 meters, the utility gains access to real-time data at both the consumer and network level. Lemvig Vand currently reports five percent water loss, which is below the national average of over seven percent. The goal is to reduce waste even further and explore how far losses can be minimised with technological support. This effort aims to raise the standard—not only in Denmark but also across Europe, where the average water loss is 24 percent.
“We face significant challenges with drinking water across Europe in the future. In Denmark, we are very skilled at managing our water, and we must also take the lead and take responsibility. We are not satisfied with our current level. Our ambition is to push the boundaries and show how much optimisation is truly possible. This requires access to precise and reliable real-time data,” says Lars Holmegaard, Director of Lemvig Vand.
Have We Only Seen the Tip of the Iceberg?
The digital meters will provide better insight and a foundation for faster action at Lemvig Vand. The installation of meters, software, and network is supplied by the cleantech company Brunata. The combination of meters, network, and platform enables monitoring of the entire distribution system and frees up resources previously used for manual reading and data validation.
“It is not the meters themselves that make the difference—it is the data and the insight they provide. Brunata’s approach to data, now and in the future, is exciting. We aim to improve supply security, optimise energy consumption, and reduce CO₂ emissions. The potential of water data for these goals is enormous. I am confident that we have only seen the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what water data can achieve,” says Lars Holmegaard.
Claus Jensen, Key Account Manager at Brunata, emphasises that the Lemvig project is about more than reading meters.
“Many utilities view digitalisation primarily as a tool for remote reading and leak detection. That is essential, but increasingly, the focus is on how we use data and connect it to both operations and energy consumption—this is where water data becomes truly valuable,” he explains.
According to EU data, the water and wastewater sector accounts for approximately 3.5 percent of energy consumption in member states.
Leaks in the system contribute to both water waste and unnecessary energy use.
Consumers Benefit from Reduced Bills
With the digital platform, Lemvig Vand can more quickly identify pipe bursts and similar issues. Consumers also gain access to an alert system, allowing them to monitor unintended consumption.
“We know that consumers lose many thousands of litres of water each year without noticing, which costs them significant amounts. Therefore, the private part of the platform is very important, as residents can now continuously monitor their own consumption,” says Lars Holmegaard. He adds that the meter replacement process went smoothly:
“The replacement of meters has affected thousands of customers in their homes. However, we must say that the collaboration with Brunata, and especially their technicians, has been extremely professional and seamless.”