T E L E C O M M U N I C A T I O N S The Role of Smart Water Management Systems

AUTHOR: Grace Kangotue ChiefResearcher/Economist@RDJConsulting

Courtesy:https://httio/resources/smart-water-technology/

Iguess there is no need to convince you that water is essential for various aspects of life, including energy generation, food production, and biodiversity With climate change impacts affecting precipitation patterns and resulting in extreme weather conditions, making the need for water conservation crucial.

UNWater (the United Nations agency providing a “coordination mechanism”), says access to water and sanitation is a human right According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), about 2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water, and over two-thirds of the global population experience water shortages for at least one month on average annually.

Utilities worldwide are adopting smart water management systems to enhance water operations and accessibility The International Water Resources

Association (IWRA) defines smart water management (SWM) as the integration of information and communication technology (ICT) and real-time data to address water management challenges Digitalization, through the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), plays a pivotal role in various sectors, including water management, through smart water management systems. SWM systems improve water quality, quantity, irrigation efficiency, and manage issues such as leaks, pressure, flow, floods, and droughts

Water scarcity is a significant issue in Africa Urban populations face these challenges even on a greater scale and with urban populations growing rapidly globally, the issue is even more stark. IWRA notes further that urban centres have changed the way that the traditional water cycles occur and impact, resulting in an “Urban Water Cycle”

National utilities therefore need to consider adopting smart management systems to ensure sustainable water management. This adoption will support their mandates and contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, which aims for the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

Key Components of Smart Water Management Systems

Meters and Sensors: These tools collect and transmit real-time information, providing critical data for effective water management.

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Systems: SCADA systems process information and remotely optimize systems and processes, enhancing service delivery

Geographic Information System (GIS): GIS technology stores, manages, manipulates, and analyzes spatial information essential for water utilities.

Software Solutions: These solutions store, use, and report water data They are also used for modelling infrastructure and environmental systems to improve design, decision-making, and risk management

AI applications in water management assist with supply optimization and decision-making. AI tools help in designing optimal water monitoring and control networks, detecting water losses, defining contingency plans, forecasting water demand, and managing network expansions. AI also aids in locating aging water assets, addressing capital and operational expenditure limitations,andcontrollingwatertariffincreases

Smart water management systems, driven by digitalization and AI, offer promising solutions to global water challenges By leveraging advanced technologies, utilities can enhance water efficiency, ensure sustainability, and improve service delivery, thereby addressing both current and future water management needs

Readings:

https://www iea org/commentaries/energy-is-vital-to-a-wellfunctioning-water-sector https://www unwater org/news/iwra-call-abstracts-smart-watermanagement https://www.iwra.org/swm/ https://development asia/explainer/what-smart-watermanagement https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/614891/artific ial-intelligence-smart-water-management-systems pdf