At Qatium, we believe collaboration is key to solving global water challenges. That’s why we partner with trusted local experts like GLS, a utility consulting leader with decades of on-the-ground experience in Southern Africa. Together, we are pioneering the region’s first digital water network twin, turning static models into dynamic, real-time platforms that transform decision-making for local utilities.
End-to-end services — GLS Consulting
GLS Consulting is a staff-owned engineering consultancy that has led innovation in municipal infrastructure modeling since 1989. With over 35 years of experience, the South African-based firm with their head office in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, has deep expertise across the full lifecycle of utility management. This includes comprehensive system-wide modeling of water, sewer, electricity and optical fibre networks, as well as strategic services such as demand forecasting and master planning. GLS also develops their own software in the space of CAD, GIS & utility modeling and plans to provide customized extensions to the Qatium digital water twin platform.
Its mission is clear: empower clients with the tools, skills, and expertise to optimize infrastructure systems, enhance service delivery, and contribute to sustainable community development.
Southern Africa’s first digital water twin
GLS first discovered Qatium at international industry conferences like the SWAN Forum and WDSA. They recognized the potential of a fully cloud-based, water intelligence platform that could integrate hydraulic analysis with real-time data. Qatium’s cost-effective and scalable solution aligned with GLS’s mission to provide advanced capabilities to developing economies.
GLS brings the modeling expertise, Qatium brings the technology—and together we deliver something neither of us could achieve alone,” Dr. Alex Sinske, the CTO of GLS explains. “The beauty is that this model can work for utilities anywhere in the world.”
Getting started with Qatium is simple and fast, especially if you have a working hydraulic model in an industry standard format. You can set up a basic digital replica of a small network in minutes, enriching it over time with refined models that capture often tricky operational rules, by simply dragging & dropping files, linking to existing systems or connecting live sensors. Within hours, utilities can use Qatium for planning and scenario testing. As more data is added, the digital twin becomes more precise, unlocking advanced uses like real-time operations and proactive troubleshooting.
GLS and Qatium’s partnership helps utilities worldwide transition from static models to dynamic, data-driven decision-making. The approach delivers immediate operational value by bringing GLS’s existing models to life in the Cloud with Qatium’s visualization and real-time capabilities. This powerful combination not only provides immediate benefits but also builds a strong foundation for long-term functionality.
George Municipality: From smart meters to a digital twin
George Municipality in South Africa is an example of this partnership in progress. This city is actively pursuing its vision of becoming a smart city. This initiative, guided by a comprehensive five-year plan, focuses on leveraging modern technology to enhance the quality of life for all residents. The plan outlines a new approach to governance, infrastructure development, and service delivery, with a strong emphasis on innovation, digital inclusion, and data-driven decision-making.
GLS has been working with George Municipality for more than 20 years, providing a bureau service to maintain and evolve the city’s hydraulic model. The long-standing relationship laid the groundwork for a pioneering project: developing the first digital twin of a water network in Southern Africa.
We’ve been working with George Municipality for many years,” says Dr. Sinske. “Now, with Qatium, we’re moving from static planning to a true operational digital twin—something that’s a first in Southern Africa, and possibly beyond.”
To begin, the team visualized George’s hydraulic model in Qatium’s dynamic, open environment. More than 130 bulk meters were then connected to Qatium, providing the live data to power the city’s digital twin. Now with this real-time view of their network, the George team uses the platform in creative ways, from operational troubleshooting to asset verification in the field via mobile devices.
To ensure accuracy and data quality, 30% of the meters required recalibration or improved communication links. However, these hurdles were quickly overcome, leading to transformative results.
The George team has embraced the digital twin,” Dr. Sinske notes. “it’s being used in ways we hadn’t even anticipated.”
Here are some of the ways George is using their digital twin:
—See the impact of water main shutdowns
—Minimize Non-Revenue Water
—Perform real-world maintenance what-if analyses
—Manage system pressure
—Pinpoint optimal sensor location
Open Water — collaborating to solve shared challenges
This collaborative journey is not only enhancing George’s water management but also creating a practical blueprint for other municipalities in developing regions to adopt digital twins. According to Dr. Sinske, “It’s a living, breathing model of their network that enhances efficiency, reduces response times, and lays the groundwork for others to follow suit.”
Through our ‘Open Water’ approach, Qatium’s cloud-based technology combines with the expertise of trusted local partners to accelerate the adoption of advanced water solutions and deliver immediate operational value.
Watch the full webinar “South Africa’s First Digital Water Twin: A Blueprint for Progress.”
