@article{Sendros_WRM_2026,
    author         = {Sendros, Andreas and Kostamis, Periklis and Zikos, Ioannis and Manos, Anastasios and Filippidou, Despina Elisabeth and Drosatos, George and Efraimidis, Pavlos S.},
    title          = {From Fragmented Systems to Transparent Governance: {B}lockchain-Enabled Water Management with {IoT} Integration},
    keywords       = {IoT Water Meters, Water Management, Data Governance, Ricardian Contracts, Blockchain Automated Framework, Blockchain},
    journal        = {Water Resources Management},
    volume         = {40},
    year           = {2026},
    number         = {1},
    pages          = {41},
    url            = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-025-04458-2},
    issn           = {1573-1650},
    doi            = {10.1007/s11269-025-04458-2},
    publisher      = {Springer},
    abstract       = {Aging urban water distribution networks face increasing pressure from growing demand and infrastructure deterioration, while the integration of IoT systems highlights the urgent need for innovative and sustainable solutions that enhance system reliability and ensure data security. At the same time, fragmented water governance hinders coordinated, transparent, and efficient management. To address these challenges, this work proposes a holistic architecture for a customized, private permissioned blockchain network designed for IoT water meters. The system incorporates all relevant stakeholders and integrates blockchain-based data integrity with automated deployment, legal enforceability, and transparency mechanisms to strengthen governance, while also mitigating data breaches, enabling secure IoT data sharing, and supporting real time leak detection and usage monitoring. The proposed framework automates the deployment and management of Hyperledger Fabric networks for public utility services. Chaincodes ensure secure data handling and prevent unauthorized access, while Ricardian Contracts align automated processes with legal agreements, ensuring regulatory compliance. The system was deployed and evaluated in two Greek municipalities, connecting over 150 IoT water meters and five organizations. Field testing demonstrated a 99.99% endorsement success rate, and full traceability of water consumption. The framework improved coordination, accountability, and data sharing among stakeholders, addressing key governance challenges. The modular and scalable design supports integration with diverse IoT devices and hierarchical data access, ensuring confidentiality and privacy across stakeholder levels. Future work will extend the system to larger municipal networks and incorporate machine learning for predictive analytics.}
}