The Role of Smart Infrastructure in Residential Water Demand Management: A Global Survey

As the global demand for water rises and climate pressures intensify, projections indicate that water scarcity will impact nearly 40% of the world’s population by 2030 and a quarter of all children by 2040. This study reviews the current literature on residential water efficiency, highlighting the most effective strategies for reducing water waste. A systematic literature review—guided by transparent criteria and quality assessments using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP)—was conducted to extract insights into water distribution management strategies. This study examines current smart water management initiatives aimed at reducing waste, with a particular focus on the policy and regulatory drivers behind global water conservation efforts. Furthermore, it shows innovative smart solutions such as Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered forecasting, Internet of Things (IoT)-based metering, and predictive leak detection, which have demonstrated reductions in residential water loss by up to 30%, particularly through real-time monitoring and adaptive consumption strategies. The study concludes that innovative technologies must be actively supported and implemented by governments, utilities, and global organizations to proactively reduce water waste, safeguard future generations, and enable data-driven, AI-powered policy and decision-making for improved water use efficiency.