Georgian Water and Power (GWP) has selected AVK International to deliver more than 500 pressure reducing valves (PRVs) as part of their efforts to enhance and better control the region’s water supply.
The Tbilisi area has previously faced severe water loss rates of around 70 percent, which triggered a major leakage‑reduction programme. As part of their continued commitment to improve network performance, GWP has decided to replace the 150 PRVs already installed during the first phase with AVK valves, in addition to installing over 350 new units. This initiative is expected to reduce water production costs by more than six million USD annually.
Quality matters
AVK focuses on delivering high‑quality, long‑lasting solutions, and while this does not always match the lowest‑cost alternatives, GWP made it clear from the beginning that durability and strong technical support were essential requirements. After in‑depth discussions with our specialists, they recognised the advantages of choosing AVK valves for this major upgrade.
Pressure management for minimising water loss
Effective pressure management provides significant benefits for both water utilities and consumers and is an important sustainability measure. Regulating pressure has proven highly effective in reducing leakages and lowering the overall level of non‑revenue water. This contributes to improved energy efficiency as well as reduced operational and maintenance costs.
Using PRVs for pressure management can have a noticeable impact: beyond savings on treated and pumped water, it also helps reduce service interruptions, enhancing the overall customer experience. In the Tbilisi region specifically, the technology makes it possible to control excessive pressure caused by water flowing from high‑elevation reservoirs.
Reduced water distribution and less pipe bursts
With 235 out of the planned 500 PRVs now installed, GWP is already experiencing measurable improvements. Water distribution volumes in the supply area have decreased by seven percent compared to the previous year, and electricity consumption for treatment and distribution has dropped by around 10 percent. The risk of water hammer events has also been reduced, resulting in 25 percent fewer pipe bursts. In total, pumped water has decreased by 76,000 m³ per day, enabling GWP to save approximately 27,740,000 m³ of water each year.
Million dollar savings
Once all 500 PRVs are in operation, GWP anticipates that the volume of pumped water will decrease by approximately 58,000,000 m³ per year. With the estimated production cost of one cubic meter of water in Tbilisi at around 0.11 USD, this reduction corresponds to nearly 6.4 million USD in annual savings on water production alone. These are remarkable figures and fully achievable for both the utility and the residents of Tbilisi.
High quality water supply
Georgian Water and Power (GWP) is one of the leading water utilities in Georgia and the wider South Caucasus region. The company provides reliable, high‑quality water services to households in Tbilisi as well as to public institutions, industrial clients, and commercial facilities. More than 3,000 employees work daily to ensure continuous delivery of water and wastewater services to the city’s population.
Source: www.gwp.ge
Savings after installation of 235 PRVs:
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Electricity reduced by approx. 10%
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Pipe bursts reduced by 25%
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Pumped water reduced by 27,740,000 m³/year
Expected savings after installation of 500 PRVs:
- Pumped water reduced by 58.000.000 m³/year
- Saved production costs 6.380.000 USD/year*
*The cost of producing 1 m3 water in Tbilisi being 0.11 USD
