Looking Back: ZENNER at IFAT Munich 2026
Published:13. May 2026
From 4 to 7 May, ZENNER International GmbH & Co. KG showcased solutions for the Smart Water Rollout at IFAT 2026 in Munich, demonstrating how the digitalisation of water networks is already being implemented in practice today.
IFAT made it clear: the focus is increasingly shifting from individual digitalisation projects towards holistic rollout strategies. What is needed are scalable solutions that can be reliably integrated into existing infrastructure and create genuine long-term value.
“Seeing how dynamically the Smart Water Rollout is developing and how concretely the digitalisation of water networks is now being implemented was one of my personal highlights of IFAT,”
summarises Jan-Philipp Exner, the Head of Strategic Project Development for Smart City Strategy & Solution Integration at ZENNER International GmbH & Co. KG.
Metering Technology: The Foundation of Digital Water Networks
Accurate meter readings are essential for ensuring transparency in water infrastructure and identifying trends at an early stage. At IFAT, ZENNER showcased smart metering technology for water and intelligent sensor systems that reliably record consumption data and other measurements. This data forms the foundation for the sustainable digitalisation of water networks and opens up new possibilities for proactive infrastructure management.
LoRaWAN: Scalable infrastructure for the rollout
With LoRaWAN, ZENNER offers a wireless technology that has proven its worth in numerous smart water projects and is particularly well-suited to the large-scale digitalisation of water networks. A recent milestone demonstrates just how far this development has already progressed: the Minol-ZENNER Group’s LoRaWAN network now comprises more than 11 million integrated LoRaWAN sensors, making it one of the world’s largest networks of its kind.
“It was impressive to see just how versatile LoRaWAN is today, from smart water and smart utility to smart city applications. The dialogue with so many users and partners has once again demonstrated the potential of this technology,”
said Exner.
Smart Water Solutions from a single source
The rollout of smart water solutions is gaining significant momentum. As a smart water solution provider, ZENNER now offers digital solutions from a single source – ranging from water level and water body monitoring, through ensuring distribution within the supply network, to transparent consumption tracking in buildings.
At IFAT, the focus was, among other things, on the joint solution for pipe network monitoring with Fast GmbH.
“The discussions surrounding our joint solution for leak detection with Fast have shown how important collaborative innovation is for digital water management.”
emphasises Exner.
Our conclusion: the Smart Water Rollout is gaining significant momentum. Measurement technology, wireless technology and data-driven applications are increasingly converging, laying the foundations for a water management sector that is more efficient and resilient.