Digitalisation has the potential to dramatically transform the world’s water industry, emerging as a powerful tool to combat climate change and enhance sustainable water management. However, this digitalisation process must be sustainable, since it can also reduce natural resources and increase the demand for drinking water, as studies have recently demonstrated with the rise in demand for generative Artificial Intelligence products, like ChatGPT.
The integration of advanced technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics is reshaping how we monitor, manage and optimize water resources. World-leading companies are driving this change and helping utilities and water businesses become climate-neutral and energy-positive. In the newly launched issue of Smart Water Magazine Bimonthly 19, readers will be witnesses to this new reality. In Sweden, Siemens has assisted utility VA SYD in detecting and eliminating water leaks from pipelines using artificial intelligence (AI).
This digital transformation, however, would not be possible without water utilities first embracing innovation and
recognizing the potential that technology can often provide by becoming a catalyst to create a new way to deliver a better outcome, as Martin Jackson from Northumbrian Water points out in his interview. And providing a better outcome is exactly what Sydney Water has set out to do. Featuring in our front cover, Emma Pyror, Head of Major Project Delivery at Sydney Water, explains in an exclusive interview how Australia’s largest single water utility is working to adapt to a new reality, one that includes a changing climate, a rapidly growing population and changing customer needs and priorities. Centered around innovation, Sydney Water has an ambitious plan that includes converting 90 per cent of its meters to smart meters by 2035 and plans to reach net carbon zero by 2050 through renewable energy
EDITORIAL STAFF
Laura Fernández Zarza
Paula Sánchez Almendros
Olivia Tempest Prados
Cristina Novo Pérez
initiatives. Digitalisation equips water utilities with the resources to revolutionize their operations and future-proof their businesses, ensuring a sustainable, efficient, and resilient water supply for generations to come; nevertheless, utilities must foster this transformation to make the most of the limitless benefits cutting-edge technologies can provide.
Digitalisation is a powerful tool that enhances efficiency, sustainability, and resilience in the water sector. By harnessing the potential of digital technologies, water companies can pave the way for a more sustainable and water-secure future; however, a disruptive shift is needed at the core of water businesses to reap all of its benefits.
MANAGEMENT
Alejandro Maceira Rozados
David Escobar Gutiérrez
EDITOR
Alejandro Maceira Rozados
ADVERTISING
Javier de los Reyes
ART AND GRAPHIC DESIGN
Pablo González-Cebrián
Esther Martín Muñoz
NUMBER 19 - SEP/OCT 2023
INTERVIEW FEATURE FEATURE
ADVANCING
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
Pg. 60 NTT DATA aims to be a key partner in the digital evolution of the water sector. Álvaro Romero Danés speaks about the firm’s digital strategy.
FUTURE PROOFING WITH PLANT OPTIMISER
Pg. 58 A water treatment plant serving 7.5 m people in Hong Kong successfully implements Envirosuite's Plant Optimiser, a digital twin technology.
ACCIONA APPLIES
THE 7RS RULE
Pg. 46 ACCIONA shares how crucial adopting a circular economy model is, particularly in the context of water conservation and management.
INTERVIEW
LEADING IN SUSTAINABLE WATER
Pg. 26 In this interview, Martin Jackson explains Northumbrian Water’s future plans and how the company is prioritizing sustainability.
INTERVIEW INTERVIEW
FEATURE FEATURE DATA SOLUTIONS FOR PERFORMANCE
Pg. 14 Xavier Cardeña discusses in this interview the solutions and expertise of HMS Networks to help users be more connected and productive.
Pg. 92 Swedish utility VA SYD is using Siemens’ SIWA LeakPlus to reduce non-revenue water and work towards its climate-neutral ambition.
Pg. 18 Nergis Yapici, Industry Development Manager at Nalco Water, analyses in this interview with SWM the water situation in the IMEA region.
Pg. 66 Badger Meter combines measurement, communications, data and analytics into smart water solutions, for efficient and sustainable operations.
FEATURE
INTELLIGENT ASSET MONITORING
Pg. 70 Motion Fleet Management, part of WEG’s digital product family, enables monitoring and control of water assets for optimal operations.
INTERVIEW
INNOVATIVE WATER ACTION
Pg. 120 We had the opportunity to speak with Mina Guli, Founder and CEO of Thirst Foundation and a passionate advocate for water protection.
FEATURE
SUCCESSFUL FRESHWATER REMEDIATION
Pg. 34 PET’s product solutions target excess phosphorus for both static and flowing freshwater systems and can help reduce GHG emissions.
INTERVIEW
CYBER RISKS AS OPERATIONAL RISKS
Pg. 80 Yanir Laubshtein, VP Velocity XDR at Sygnia, discusses water and wastewater infrastructure cybersecurity trends and readiness in LAC.
INTERVIEW
SPOTLIGHT ON GENERATIVE AI
Pg. 88 Generative AI can transform the economy: we take a closer look at the implications for the water industry with Nipa Basu from GHD Digital.
FEATURE
SEAWATER BRINE VALORIZATION
Pg. 54 ENOWA’s Water Innovation Center has developed a selective mineral recovery process from seawater brine for beneficial use.
INTERVIEW
THE BLIGHT OF UNSAFE WASH
Pg. 116 SWM interviews Tom Slaymaker (UNICEF) about the highlights of the first in-depth analysis of gender inequalities in WASH.
FEATURE
SUCCESSFUL INTERIM MANAGEMENT
Pg. 24 Agenda21500 has completed its first contract in the city of Syracuse, in Italy, involving supply and sanitation project management.
CONTENTS
NUMBER 19 - SEP/OCT 2023
Pg. 42 Almar Water Solutions discusses the function of water in Chile’s mining sector, highlighting water reuse and desalination as critical.
INTERVIEW
Pg. 102 The Global Water Monitor Consortium aims to provide current information on global climate and water through satellite measurements.
SPEAKERS CORNER
Pg. 128 Suez emphasizes communication to inform and educate people about water resources and environmental actions. SWM finds out how.
FEATURE
Pg. 76 DATAKORUM has created a universal and comprehensive IoT solution that allows for the digitization of the entire water infrastructure.
FEATURE
Pg. 84 Minsait’s solutions for digital transformation cover the entire process from data collection to data analysis for actionable insights.
FEATURE INTERVIEW
Pg. 38 Sydney Water is investing in major projects and infrastructure to ensure a resilient water supply. We speak to Emma Pryor to learn more.
In this section we have compiled the most important appointments that have taken place recently, and entail taking up a position or role within influential entities (public, private or mixed) in the water sector.
Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and industrial automation, has appointed Sophie Borgne as the new Segment President for Water and Wastewater (WWW).
Sophie has a unique background in automation, control, and IoT with various roles in industrial automation and energy management over her 22-year career at Schneider Electric. In the last five years, she successfully led the Digital Plant and Digital Power Lines of Business and drove innovation and growth through EcoStruxure Plant and EcoStruxure Power, working closely with Schneider Electric’s Digital team and its leading-edge industrial software company, AVEVA.
Since joining the firm in 2001, Sophie has gained global exposure in Africa, China, France, Italy, and the US. She has led marketing, business development, R&D, systems testing, customer technical support, industrialisation, and supply chain teams.
As Segment President for WWW, Sophie will continue to focus on supporting Schneider Electric’s customers in the water industry to accelerate their digital transformation to meet sustainability ambitions. Her background in digital technology will be a crucial factor in spotlighting this mission and vision as she continues to hold a passion for automation and digitalisation of industrial processes, power and energy management solutions.
Sophie holds an M.S. in Civil Engineering from École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées (Paris) and an M.B.A. from the Collège des Ingénieurs.
Northumbrian Water Group has appointed Matt Williams as its new Chief Financial Officer. Matt brings a wealth of finance experience from a variety of industries including the rail and aviation sectors, and also from within the water sector from his time at United Utilities between 2002 to 2010. Most recently, Matt led a highly successful team at Northern Trains, where he had been Chief Financial Officer since 2020.
A chartered accountant trained at Deloitte; Matt joined Northumbrian Water Group on 11 September. Matt said: “I’m really looking forward to joining the team at Northumbrian Water Group, working alongside brilliant people and for a business that is working hard to be the best, stepping up to the challenges facing the sector both now and in the future.”
Heidi Mottram, CEO at Northumbrian Water Group, said: “It is fantastic to welcome Matt into the team. “I am confident that he will hit the ground running, as he has a fantastic wealth of experience and knowledge thanks to his previous roles. He has an impressive track record in leading highly successful teams and I am sure that will continue in his role with us.”
Matt is set to replace Mike Porter, who has been with the business since 2020 and will be taking up a new role at Network Plus.
Heidi Mottram added: “Mike made a significant contribution to our business from when he joined in June 2020. We are very grateful to him for his leadership and expertise during this time and we wish him well for the future.”
As senior director of digital solutions, Luk will utilize his tech industry knowledge to lead and grow Brown and Caldwell’s digital capabilities
With 20 years of experience managing infrastructure, Esther Sharples will be the new Operations Director for London at Thames Water
Brown and Caldwell has strengthened its digital service offering as tech industry leader Allan Luk joins the firm as senior director of digital solutions. The strategic hire enhances the firm’s ability to assist clients through their digital transformation journey to optimize infrastructure and operations while saving time and money.
Luk joins the company having held various leadership positions at a global provider of mass-data storage infrastructure solutions. His 23 years of tech industry experience includes digital transformation, advanced analytics, artificial intelligence/ machine learning, product and solutions development, and customer engagement. He brings a proven ability of implementing analytical and technical solutions to exceed business metrics across various sectors.
As senior director of digital solutions, Luk will utilize his tech industry knowledge to lead and grow Brown and Caldwell’s digital capabilities. He will augment a best-in-class team of practitioners focused on assisting clients in technology planning and making informed decisions with robust tools and associated processes, user-friendly interfaces, improved data management and quality, and advanced analytics. He will also partner with the firm’s technical subject matter specialists to develop and implement emerging digital solutions to help solve clients’ complex challenges related to aging infrastructure, climate change impacts, the increasing cost of water, and mounting workforce development needs.
Thames Water has appointed Esther Sharples as its new Operations Director for London. Esther has 20 years of experience managing infrastructure across several sectors including 16 years at Transport for London (TFL) and prior to that at Land Securities Trillium.
During her time at TFL, Esther held positions as Director of Asset Operations and most recently Director of Asset Performance Delivery, where she was responsible for the maintenance and renewals of assets across the London Underground.
Nevil Muncaster, who previously held the role, will continue as Strategic Partnerships Director, where he will now focus on the delivery of complex major projects, including long-term water resources, commissioning of the Thames Tideway Tunnel and delivering our Future London Strategy. He will develop and lead strategic partnerships across our operation such as our important work with the London Surface Water Strategy Group.
Al Cochran, Interim Co-CEO and CFO of Thames Water said: "It is vital that we continue to have a tailored regional strategy that meets our customers’ and communities’ specific needs and improves performance. I am therefore delighted to welcome Esther to lead our London operational team. She brings with her a wealth of experience in managing vast and complex infrastructure.”
Esther Sharples, Operations Director for London said: “I’m really excited to be joining Thames Water and have a strong passion for making things better for customers and the people who deliver them.”
Envirosuite has announced that Mr Colby Manwaring has joined the Board as a non-executive director. Colby has had an executive and entrepreneurial career in water and environmental software, covering nearly all aspects of the industry, including software development, sales and marketing, professional technical training, strategic business planning and execution, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic alliances.
Starting his career as a software developer he went on to lead multi-national infrastructure analytics software company, Innovyze, with 3,000 customers globally, which subsequently sold to software giant Autodesk in 2021 for USD 1 bn.
Colby’s career has covered the full range of roles in software technology, starting his career building applications as a software developer and progressing through product management, customer success, sales and marketing to senior executive management roles. His most recent roles include CEO of Innovyze, the leading global provider of smart water analytics software solutions, and Vice President at Autodesk, the global leader of engineering design and make software solutions.
He has been responsible for the creation and execution of enterprise strategic vision and commercial success at several companies. His success in aligning organic growth initiatives to product and people resources has resulted in balanced growth and profitability, achieving “rule-of-40+” outcomes for private start-ups, private equity owners, and public market shareholders.
PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency has appointed Mr Ong Tze-Ch’in as its new Chief Executive (CE), effective from 1st November 2023. He will succeed Mr Goh Si Hou, who is slated to undertake another significant leadership position within the Public Service. Additionally, Mr Ong will retain his current position as Deputy Secretary (Resilience) at the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE), announced Singapore’s Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment.
Mr Goh Si Hou assumed the position of CE at PUB in 2022. During his tenure, he steered PUB in devising longterm strategies aimed at fortifying Singapore’s water security and climate resilience. Under Mr Goh's leadership, PUB also formulated the Water Masterplan.
Mr Ong Tze-Ch’in presently serves as Deputy Secretary (Resilience) at MSE, overseeing water and food policies, international relations, communications and engagement, and emergency planning. Prior to this role, he held pivotal leadership positions, including Chief Executive of SkillsFuture Singapore and concurrent Deputy Secretary (SkillsFuture) at the Ministry of Education (MOE), Director of Military Intelligence / Chief C4I, and Commander of the 3rd Singapore Division in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). Mr Ong earned a Master in Business Administration from INSEAD in 2010 and a Master in Defence Studies from King’s College London in 2006. He graduated from Stanford University in 1998 with a Master and a Bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering.
ENVIROSUITE ANNOUNCES MR COLBY MANWARING
JOINS ITS BOARD AS A NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Having served as a director of Envirosuite’s Board since September 2018, Hugh Robertson has decided to step down
Mr Ong Tze-Ch’in will succeed Mr Goh Si Hou in November of 2023 after Mr Goh Si Hou steered PUB in devising long-term strategies
Desalinated water production has increased fivefold in 20 years. Desalination has become increasingly significant as a viable solution to address water scarcity in regions that are facing such challenges due to climate change, population growth, etc.
Ingeteam positions itself as a reliable partner in fresh water supply by providing the latest solutions in pumping. Indar submersible motors and pumps are made of durable materials so that they ensure efficient and robust performance for years to come. In addition, Ingedrive Variable Frequency Drives adjust the flow or pressure to the actual demand, controlling the frequency of the electrical power supplied to the pump.
BF IS UGP & UGP-M VFD H HE
HMS Networks, a leading company in industrial information and communication technology (ICT), is a key partner for companies in the water sector who need to start their digitalization journey. Its solutions have been connecting devices, machines, and systems since the company’s foundation, and currently, more than 9 million systems are communicating with HMS devices. In this interview, Xavier Cardeña, Water Market Development Manager, currently responsible for the Water sector at HMS Networks Continental Europe, gives an overview of HMS’ solutions and experience.
What are the main challenges facing water management at the moment, and what role can ICT play to help address these challenges?
I would say that the three main challenges are the new regulations to which
IoT technologies and data analysis are key for performance and efficiency improvement in water management, ensuring water quality complies with increasing standards, energy savings are realized, and sustainability goals are reached.
companies must adapt to; the increasing wastewater production by manufacturing companies; and the scarcity of freshwater with a projected gap between global water supply and demand to reach 40% by 2030 according to the World Economic Forum.
Important investments need to be considered to manage those challenges, especially in equipment and energy. ICT is key to managing those challenges because now, besides the tangibles of raw material in water treatment there is a new hidden one called “Data”. Data brings transparency and visibility of everything that happens in the plant, but to achieve this, systems need to be connected securely and efficiently. As an example, a company can reduce maintenance costs and understand how the equipment is operating without the need to be physically present on-site thanks to a secure remote access connection, saving a lot of money both during commissioning and throughout the life cycle of the installation and being able to respond much faster to problems, reducing downtime with network monitoring tools, and increasing system availability because if a deviation or malfunction occurs, the person in charge – no matter the location - will
immediately receive an alert notification on his/her cell phone for an early reaction. It is estimated that 30 to 80% of trips to plants can be saved in this way. Data combined with analytics help companies understand the behaviour of the systems, optimize processes to eliminate weaknesses and manage energy consumption, identify opportunities to improve efficiency, and set targets and action plans to reduce consumption. It is estimated that thanks to IoT technology it is possible to reduce energy consumption by between 15% and 35%, depending on the type of process.
Can you tell us about the solutions
HMS Networks offers for the water industry?
All HMS products connect hardware and software in one way or another — helping users become more connected, productive, and sustainable. HMS solutions allow devices, machines and systems to talk to each other or with SCADA/MES and cloud systems. Our industrial gateway Ewon Flexy with the cloud-based secure Talk2M service allows system providers an effective and sustainable support to their customers using remote access, keeping an eye on machine performance, and easily
"Consider Data as a raw material that brings transparency and visibility of everything that happens in a water treatment plant"
integrating machine data to any cloudbased industrial application.
Our Anybus Gateways are used to integrate systems and machines that do not share the same protocol, such as Ethernet IP to Profinet or Modbus. Many of our customers that sell industrial wastewater plants or machines use a gateway to know what is happening in the production lines to adapt the WW plant to the expected workload. Our Anybus Wireless line is mainly used to avoid cabling where it is difficult to install, to save maintenance and installation costs or to push data to the cloud with Low power-based protocols such as NB-IoT, and Anybus embedded is a solution to provide industrial communication to any host-based devices such as metering pumps, dosing systems, valve controllers, drives, etc… Last but not least, our new Anybus Diagnostics product line includes network diagnostics with permanent monitoring and troubleshooting solutions to ensure the availability and reliability of the systems.
We are also ready for the challenges of the future, with new digital technologies in a connected world with remote sensing, AI, machine learning, and of course 5G technology.
Where in the world is HMS Networks active in the water sector? Could you highlight some of the projects you are involved with?
Our products are already being used in thousands of applications in the sector in the five continents. One very common use case is to integrate data from machines and systems to cloud platforms for analytics, examples like the company Envirochemie with an integration of Ewon Flexy to their OPSCTRL platform, or Veolia Water Technologies which uses our Ewon IOT gateways to remotely access their machines securely and monitor
the performance of their systems anytime, anywhere. By collecting data from this equipment, they get valuable information and insights, helping them in the improvement of the operational efficiency as well as reducing the carbon foot-
"HMS products connect hardware and software in one way or another – helping users become more connected, productive, and sustainable"
With IoT technology it is possible to reduce energy consumption by between 15% and 35%, depending on the type of process
print of their clients and making these technologies more sustainable.
Also, the German company SIWAtec builds container-based drinking water that is remotely monitored thanks to Ewon Flexy and our Talk2M service for secure communication.
Many customers are also using HMS products to integrate systems with different protocols, like Durapipe which uses our Anybus gateways to provide a simple interface from the valve’s standard RS232 protocol to PROFIBUS. Also Device Manufacturers who need to
incorporate industrial communications directly in their device, like the company CG Drives that uses our embedded Anybus CompactCom — a “pluggable” communication module enabling their drives and soft starters to communicate with many different industrial networks with little effort.
Another interesting case to keep the systems running has been applied by the Rijnland Water Control Board which uses our Anybus Diagnostics line of products to have online monitoring and diagnostics of the section that manages
Can you tell us how important digital water management is for your company and what advantages it has for your customers?
In addition to process water treatment plants, SIWAtec also builds container-based drinking water treatment plants for a decentralized drinking water supply. These systems are sometimes very far away from the nearest qualified service technician and the operation by an operator or the maintenance causes high costs. These plants can safely supply entire communities, islands, industrial plants, or even army or refugee camps with clean drinking water. The plants are
the controls of the blower and the power in the aeration tank to avoid any future malfunctions.
One of the great challenges of the digital transformation is cybersecurity. What measures can be taken to guarantee the protection of services and infrastructure?
Cybersecurity in the water sector is a major topic. In fact, EU Directive 2022/2555, also known as NIS2, considers drinking water and wastewater as sectors of High Criticality, and compa-
self-sufficient and can also be powered by solar energy. A connection to our cloud solution is required to monitor and ensure the production of drinking water at all times. As at home, clean drinking water must be available at all times.
Remote monitoring is what makes the operation of these plants possible in the first place. This includes issues such as operating the decentralized systems without on-site operators and ensuring drinking water quality at all times, as well as predictive maintenance with automatic spare parts ordering. Of course, the system reports, which can be viewed at any time, optimize costs such as maintenance and travel expenses. Similarly, the demand for drinking water can be estimated using externally available data, thus optimizing
Data combined with analytics help companies understand the behaviour of the systems, optimize processes to eliminate weaknessesINTERVIEW WITH FRANK SCHLICHTHERLE, CEO of SIWAtec Wassertechnik GmbH & Co. KG
nies are declared as Essential entities, which means that they must take technical, operational, and organizational measures to manage the risks posed to the security of network and information systems.
Water treatment plants have a longlife span – 25 to 30 years – so it’s common to find systems built in the last century where cybersecurity was not considered at all. In many cases not even system architecture diagrams or a detailed inventory of the assets is available. So, I would recommend starting
with a cybersecurity assessment to understand what the vulnerabilities and the risks are, and for new projects, consider the cybersecurity by design of the installation, and rely on certified products and expertise of companies.
HMS, as a leading company in information technology and industrial communications, has cyber security as a top priority in the design of its products. Our “secure by hardware” devices and cloud service are ISO27001 certified, which guarantees continuous improvement in Information Security, and with
the running time of the system. For this purpose, the Ewon Flexy IoT gateway is the perfect solution for any project to connect machines to cloud systems for remote access and data analytics.
Finally, what are SIWAtec’s expectations regarding digitalization in the water sector in the coming years?
We are working on communication between our SIWAbox systems - system optimization with AI is already a possibility. The support of maintenance personnel via augmented reality will also be further expanded. Decentralized systems, especially for drinking water supply, such as our SIWAbox, will be developed in the coming years. The advantages are an easier connection to renewable energies, the path from treatment to the consumer is significantly shortened and thus the costs of water distribution and water losses are reduced.
a complete defense-in-depth strategy, including network segmentation, data encryption, authentication policies, etc.
What are your company’s business priorities for the next 5-10 years?
The water market is one of the sectors that we consider as key in the coming years. The environment is one of the three focus areas in our 2025 strategy. As a company, we can offer a lot of sustainability gains for our customers as they can use our products to reduce service trips and optimize energy use. But we can also do a lot in our operations to reach our goal of becoming CO2 net positive in 2025. This is part of our strategy to fulfill our vision to make HMS the world’s greatest industrial ICT company.
"HMS, as a leading company in information technology and industrial communications, has cyber security as a top design priority"
The water sector in India, the Middle East and Africa (IMEA) presents a dynamic landscape with unique challenges and opportunities. Across the Middle East and North Africa, its inhabitants face unprecedented water scarcity, warned The World Bank this year, estimating that by 2050, an additional 25 billion cubic metres of water per year would be needed to meet the region’s needs. The rest of Africa is facing similar challenges with 13 African countries listed as water insecure according to the recently released Global Water Security 2023 Assessment. Meanwhile India only has 4 per cent of the world’s freshwater, but the planets second largest population at over 1.3 billion. The total water demand in India is projected to increase by 22% and 32% in 2025 and 2050 respectively. Nevertheless, water company Nalco Water is working proactively to find answers to these complex scenarios.
In Nalco Water’s IMEA team is Nergis Yapici, Industry Development Manager (India, Middle East & Africa) who sat with Smart Water Magazine to analyse the current water situation in this part of the world, helping reinvent the way that water is managed.
Can you tell us briefly about your career path and your current role at Nalco Water?
Nalco Water, an Ecolab Company, is a world-renowned industry leader in providing comprehensive water and process management solutions. It collaborates with clients across various sectors, assisting them to achieve their sustainability and business objectives.
My entire journey has been powered by my strong love for water. Water is a common theme, present in my academic pursuits, my engineering roles as well as my current position as a regional Industry Development Manager at Nalco Water, an Ecolab Company, a global sustainability leader offering water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services that protect people and the resources vital to life.
Equipped with a mechanical engineering degree (Dipl.-Ing) from Germany’s RWTH Aachen University, I further honed my expertise through research on water treatment in the framework of the Marie Curie International Fellowship Program at the University of Technology Sydney, Australia.
In 2022, I joined Nalco Water after nearly a decade at Veolia Water Technologies in Germany and the UAE. Progressing through roles and taking on global missions as a process engineer, water management auditor, sales/business development manager and regional marketing manager, I have had the privilege to grasp each facet and cycle related to
water management and treatment, from design and commissioning to sales and marketing. In the process, I have realized that my passion lies in working with international teams to elevate business and enhance customer experiences.
Today, as a marketer, I support the Institutional business within Nalco Water’s Light Water division, interacting with everything from strategy development to go-to-market implementation at the cluster level. Additionally, I serve as the country partner for KSA, Bahrain, UAE, Egypt, Pakistan, and Turkey, supporting sustainable growth and profitability. As a bridge between local sales, corporate accounts, product management, technical experts, innovations, and solutions, I strive to cultivate success and drive positive outcomes.
I am fulfilled by my passion for water, and I enjoy working with Nalco Water to help reinvent the way that water is managed. Nalco Water’s comprehensive approach includes a complete assessment of water use within plants to identify opportunities to reduce, reuse and recycle
“At Nalco Water, we help our customers across various sectors to minimize water while maximizing operational performance and reducing total cost”INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT MANAGER (INDIA, MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA) AT NALCO WATER Z Olivia Tempest
"Across IMEA, governments and businesses are recognizing the need to adopt more sustainable practices to ensure long-term water availability"
water. With advanced technologies like 3D TRASAR™ programs for water performance management, we help our customers across various sectors to minimize water while maximizing operational performance, reducing total cost.
What are the key opportunities and challenges for business development in the water sector in India, the Middle East and Africa (IMEA)?
The global water sector stands at a critical juncture, as increasing population, urbanization, and environmental concerns continue to shape the demand for efficient and sustainable water management solutions. This holds particularly true for the diverse geographies in IMEA. India is home to 18% of the world’s pop-
ulation but holds only 4% of its water resources. The rapidly growing population, surging economy and increased urbanization spark the need for advanced water systems. Yet, the country’s soaring population and scarce water resources create a decrease in per capita water availability, urging ingenious solutions.
Across the arid Middle East, the necessity of water drives innovation, pushing desalination and reuse tech to the forefront. While desalination provides a solution, it comes with challenges. The energy-intensive and expensive nature of desalination poses economic and environmental concerns. The region’s vulnerability to climate change further exacerbates water scarcity issues. Many Middle Eastern countries find themselves listed among the top ten
most water-scarce nations globally, underscoring the urgency of efficient water management. On the positive side, there’s a growing realization that sustainability is crucial. This has resulted in a surge in investments in water reuse technologies.
Across Africa, the potential for growth shines bright, driven by its vast water resources that hold the promise of boosting agriculture and industry. However, the uncertainty of climate patterns looms large, reminding us that unpredictable droughts and water scarcity challenges must be met with robust strategies to ensure lasting and sustainable development.
What do you consider are the current trends and market dynamics shaping the water sector in IMEA for business development?
The water sector in IMEA is experiencing a dynamic shift towards sustainability, innovation, and digitalization. These factors are shaping the landscape for business development and investment opportunities.
Across IMEA there’s an increasing emphasis on sustainability and environmental regulations. Governments and businesses are recognizing the need to adopt more sustainable practices to ensure long-term water availability. This includes implementing water-efficient technologies, promoting responsible consumption, and adhering to stricter water quality standards.
The adoption of digital technologies and smart water solutions is on the rise. From real-time monitoring to data analytics for predictive maintenance, technology is enabling more efficient water management.
"In the Middle East, there’s a growing realization that sustainability is crucial, resulting in a surge in investments in water reuse tech"
How does Nalco Water, an Ecolab company, address water scarcity, offer efficient technologies, adhere to regulations, and embrace sustainable practices?
Water is integral to our customers’ key processes, like heating, cooling, production, and cleaning. Nalco Water helps companies treat and manage water with solutions and expertise that enhance productivity, improve product quality, conserve water and energy and protect against the risks of waterborne illness.
Our water management programs support a wide range of industries (including food and beverage, automotive, microelectronics, paper, steel, power generation, chemicals, and mining) and diverse types of facilities (plants, commercial, educational and government buildings, hotels, hospitals, and more).
As water scarcity increasingly threatens business operations in areas around the world, our customers are setting ambitious goals to use less water. Through a comprehensive approach that includes a complete assessment of water use within their plants, we use a suite of solutions to help them minimize water while maximizing operational performance and reducing total cost.
We measure the impact of our solutions, helping customers quantify their return on investment and track operational improvements and progress across a range of performance goals.
Our primary innovation areas are chemical products, automation and control sys-
tems, and advanced monitoring and digital services, which encompass antimicrobials; solids chemistry; hygiene; clean-in-place technology; scale, deposit and corrosion control; polymers and surfactants.
These advancements are shaping the way companies approach water management, conservation, and sustainable practices. To delve further into 3D TRASAR technology for advanced water performance management, the solution relies on an interconnected ecosystem of smart technology, innovative chemistry and extensive expertise to proactively solve problems and deliver results to improve a range of industrial operations.
3D TRASAR systems detect the upsets that precede scaling, corrosion and biofouling and then deliver the appropriate response. The result is a balanced, efficient, and safe cooling, boiler, wastewater or membrane system that requires less maintenance, eliminates over-/under-dosing of chemicals and provides maximum asset protection at lower operating costs. 3D TRASAR technology feeds into our ECOLAB3D™ digital platform, which translates data into actionable insights to further optimize customers’ operations.
What role can digitalization play in addressing the water challenges of the future in the MENA region, and can you elaborate more on the Ecolab Global Intelligence Center (EGIC) and ECOLAB3D™ Platform? Digitalization can play a transformative role in addressing complex water challenges and operational goals. As water scarcity, population growth and environmental pressures intensify, leveraging digital technologies becomes crucial in optimizing water management, and enhancing efficiency and sustainability. This is where our Ecolab Global Intelligence Center and ECOLAB3D™ analytics platform come into play.
The Ecolab Global Intelligence Center: J Delivers data-driven, forward-looking solutions that empower customers
to achieve ambitious sustainability and operational goals.
J Works with Ecolab’s global network of 25,000 field sales-and-service associates to provide customer-centric support so companies can quickly act on the information that matters most.
J Operates globally through six locations around the world, with locations in India, KSA, Brazil, China, North America and The Netherlands.
J Provides multi-lingual, 24 / 7 / 365 service for a range of digital technologies, including more than 30,000 connected 3D TRASAR™ systems across the globe. These systems connect to solutions built on ECOLAB3D™.
A pioneer in connected technology, Ecolab has gained years of insight from working on the ground at nearly three million customer locations. Building on this experience, we developed ECOLAB3D™, a multi-dimensional, secure cloud-based platform that hosts and contextualizes data from a variety of connected intelligence systems.
Using advanced algorithms to generate analytics and actionable insights, ECOLAB3D services help customers address and predict challenges so they can balance business and sustainability goals. The ECOLAB3D platform hosts a variety of digital services, such as OMNI™, Water Flow Intelligence, Water Safety Intelligence, Water Quality Intelligence, Service Intelligence, and more.
These services help:
J Detect anomalies and predict issues to maximize uptime, reduce the total cost of operations and increase business performance.
J Identify out-of-spec equipment and assets to benchmark system performance and optimize asset utilization.
J Quickly identify performance opportunities and benchmark systems at the asset, operating unit, plant and enterprise levels.
J Provides predictive assessment of site risk across a customer’s enterprise to mitigate potential challenges and operational impacts.
"As water scarcity and environmental pressures intensify, leveraging digital technologies becomes crucial in optimizing water management"
Ecolab is working to achieve a net positive water and carbon impact with its 2030 Impact Goals. How is it contributing to water conservation and efficiency practices, particularly in the MENA region?
In 2020, Ecolab launched ambitious sustainability goals to continue to increase our positive impact through our work with our customers, accelerate our efforts within our operations, expand our approach to product sustainability, nurture our talent and live our values in our workplace.
Within its operations, by 2030 Ecolab will work to (i) achieve a positive water impact; (ii) halve carbon emissions and pursue 100% renewable electricity; (iii) promote a diverse and inclusive workforce and advance pay equity and gender and non-majority representation; (iv) continue to train and educate all associates to work safely.
In addition, by 2030, Ecolab aims to help customers to conserve 300 billion gallons (1.1 trillion litres) of water, equivalent to the annual drinking water needs of 1 billion people; become carbon neutral by reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 6 million metric tons and preventing 10 million pollution-related illnesses; provide high-quality and safe food for 2 billion people and prevent 11 million foodborne illnesses annually; and clean 90 billion hands and provide safe medical care for 116 million people each year, helping to avoid 1.7 million infections annually.
In 2022, we helped customers:
J Save 219 billion gallons (829 billion litres) of water.
J Conserve 45 trillion Btu of energy.
J Avoid 3.6 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
J Avoid more than 60 million pounds of waste.
J Prevent 8 million foodborne illnesses.
J Prevent almost 6 million pollution-related illnesses.
J Produce 44% of the global processed milk supply.
J Make 36% of the world’s packaged food.
J Clean 57 billion hands.
J Provide safe and high-quality food to 1.4 billion people.
J Provide medical care to 64 million people.
J Reduced 2.1 million infections.
Could you tell us about some of Nalco Water’s success stories on water use and sustainability in the MENA region?
We are helping our customers across various sectors, and I would like to illustrate the transformative potential that a fresh perspective can bring, through a notable example from the hospitality industry.
We partnered with a leading global brand to help them achieve their business and environmental objectives across the region.
The hotel’s regional engineering department asked Nalco Water to review its water treatment program to see if there were any opportunities to reduce water consumption in the cooling towers. Our local representative immediately identified low cycle issues in the existing cooling tower program. Nalco Water’s analysis showed that the systems could safely be operated at 5 cycles of concentration vs. the current operation at 3 cycles of concentration (COC). So,
what impact does the increase of cycles of concentration have on your business & the environment? As a result of implementing our cooling water program, the hotel group achieved a total annual saving of 250,000 dollars, including:
J Saving of water equivalent to the annual drinking water need of 27,000 people.
J Decreasing energy consumption, equivalent to the annual energy use of 46 households.
J Reducing CO2 emissions, equivalent to the annual emission of 113 passenger vehicles.
J Avoiding waste equivalent to 2007 plastic bottles of 2 litres.
These numbers are just one example of how Nalco Water delivers value for millions of customers worldwide. By partnering with us, our clients and customers can experience similar results and take a step towards a safer, simpler and more sustainable future.
"Nalco Water uses a suite of solutions to help customers minimize water while maximizing operational performance and reducing total cost"
Governments and businesses are recognizing the need to adopt more sustainable practices to ensure longterm water availability
Today’s water crisis shines a stark spotlight on two billion people in the world without access to drinkable water. We all know that this is one of the most critical issues gripping the world today. At the same time, climate change has become the existential risk of our times, one that defies conventional analysis, and will define the geological scope of human civilization and even the future of oxygen-driven forms of life on planet Earth.
The current water crisis is almost expected, as bad news in the area of natural resources has become the norm rather than the exception. As in the past, it is the poorer people of the world who will bear the cruelest consequences.
There is however an unexpected twist now. This unacceptable and inhuman situation has a global silver lining that was never anticipated. What has not been said, and is part of a patent-pending technology, is that it is now possible to resolve this water crisis and - almost by mistake - the very process of desalinating water and water reuse can remove CO₂ as needed for reversing climate change. It is even possible now to remove the CO₂ directly from the air (Direct Air Capture (DAC)) to desalinate water - using a technology we patented a few years ago and I executed as co-founder and former CEO of Global Thermostat with Peter Eisenberger. Why does this matter? This is fundamental because it means that desalinating water can help resolve the global scourge of climate change while at the same time providing desperately needed drinking water for underserved people - and it can do so the way the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change require in their reports to resolve climate change.
There is conclusive evidence in established science. The desalination of water by itself currently captures and can remove from the atmosphere over 2.3 gigatons of CO₂ per year, and this number is poised to increase radically, and by orders of magnitude, as the water crisis proceeds inexorably. Indeed, as
the water crisis worsens, more and more CO₂ is needed for desalination and therefore more CO₂ is required and removed for this purpose. This desalination is similar to processes that water companies in the world utilize today which can be modified to remove CO₂ from air and additionally provide it for desalination. At GT we developed a technology that removes CO₂ directly from the atmosphere making it accessible for desalination. In a recent article in Smart Water Magazine Bimonthly, Alejandro Sturniolo of H₂O Innovation and Vice-President of the International Desalination Association (IDA) offered support for the process as well as inspiration.
The market is on our side. Is it possible to tie all this up expeditiously by the creation of a singular, new, global "carbon removal market." This market is now patent-pending, so it is used for the most efficient, and at the same time, the most vital human purpose: to resolve the water crisis and climate change together. This new carbon removal market is indeed a novel and different version of the carbon market of the Kyoto Protocol that I introduced. This is now made more radically useful by requiring that 195 nations remove the legacy CO₂ that causes the dramatic situation of climate change today.
How much time do we have left? It all works: it is (barely) possible to do all this within the 10-20-year period that the world's scientists have given us to resolve the climate change challenge. The answer is, that it can be done just in the nick of time, before climate change becomes terminal and can no longer be reversed.
Why did we not do this already? There is a key innovation required which is an international agreement by the 195 nations of the COP of the UN, primarily the most developed nations, and now joined by some emerging nations, which are today the largest emitters of CO₂ in the world such as China and the U.S.; the developing nations were exempt when the carbon market of the Kyoto Protocol became international law in 2005, because they were emitting too little then.
This new carbon removal market is indeed a novel and different version of the carbon market of the Kyoto Protocol that I introducedCEO, GT CLIMATE INNOVATION, INC. AND CO-FOUNDER, GLOBAL THERMOSTAT
What is this, you may say? Developing nations have to participate in this solution when we know they were always unwilling to do so thereby making the solution impossible? Not quite. That is where the rubber meets the road. That is where the invention of the new carbon removal market shows its power and usefulness. That is how global financial systems, working with the UN (a combination that has never quite achieved so far) can be key: the unique combination of commercial gain and global UN policy most recently created by the author can resolve the dire situation by offering a silver lining to wrap it all up.
More can be said on this matter: and will be said. In a nutshell, I believe the developing nations can be offered the solutions they need as part of a larger global solution by using the magic of global financial markets which now have an estimated US$4 trillion worth of "dry powder" in ESG opportunities; including new asset-backed - off-takes backed - securities introduced at present within existing patents.
At the very least, the plan proposed here is worth pursuing in a vigilant manner. My decades of experience in this particular field anticipate it will work out to the benefit of humankind. After all, as we know the survival of the human species - along with the survival of many other species - is now at stake.
How to do it. Two interlocking innovations are required and the IP is in essence available. One is in the business of purifying water and the other on climate change policy. Fortunately, they have been developed to fit what is needed even though action is required to activate the change. These innovations must be deployed now and to do so requires some harmony between business and policy - nationally and internationally - that has not been achieved often. The challenge is that the two innovations must work together: business innovation and policy innovation must work together at the global level - the business aspects to encourage water companies around
the world to make more money in slightly different ways using slightly different technologies and the policy innovation by ensuring that nations around the world provide the policy environment in the UN COP that facilitates the functioning of a market for removing CO₂. Fortunately, all the economic incentives are there to suit.
The business process of desalinating water must now adapt to a faster pace and expanded scope. This is a requirement that water companies worldwide have to face and conquer and they are in fact uniquely qualified to do so as their profits will swell. The process of desalinating water must adapt to use CO₂ from different sources that are deliberately created for this purpose to rapidly enhance CO₂ and drinkable water supplies and the efficiency of the post-treatment process. Rather than a cost center, CO₂ can become a profit center for water companies if they support the climate change policies that the U.S. has recently introduced. More on this below.
From the economic side, this can be ensured by policies that make CO₂ available to water companies at a radically less expensive cost, indeed at a profit. The policies in question were proposed by this author at the request of Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island (D) in what was the most important update in 2018 to the 45Q bipartisan law about tax credits in relation to CO₂, expertly negotiated by Senator Whitehouse together with Senator John Barroso (Wyoming) (R), and more recently became the exemplary and celebrated IRA (Inflation Reduction Act) of 2023 that the whole world can adopt.
The blueprint for the business/policy innovation exists and the U.S. can offer it to the world with the support of the UN COP. This can offer the needed road map to climate change reversal, implementing what is needed to avoid the existential risk of climate change while resolving the water crisis. There is every reason to do it now.
The process of desalinating water must adapt to use CO2 from different sources that are deliberately created for this purpose
In 2022, Agenda21500 obtained its first contract in Italy involving supply and sanitation project management thanks to the trust placed by Servizi Integrati Acque del Mediterraneo - SIAM S.p.A, in the city of Syracuse, Sicily, Italy.
Agenda 21500's services consisted of searching, selecting and recruiting a new Manager for the company and, since the incorporation of the new manager had to be immediate, an interim service was implemented until the incorporation of the new manager. The successful search of Agenda21500 resulted in the hiring of a civil engineer from Sicily as the final contract manager, which helped enormously in the candidate's personal integration. During that time, a regular collaborator of the company with extensive experience in the water market in Spain and Argentina occupied the position.
The Syracuse water services provider supplies the municipalities of Syracuse, Solarino and Florida in the island of Sicily, with a total population equivalent of 150,000 and a designed flow rate of 27,400 cubic metres per day. The facili-
ties include 32 water abstraction points and 10 drinking water tanks which supply 50,000 water service customers. In addition, the sanitation services include 450 kilometres of sewerage network and the Canalicchio Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), which has a treatment capacity of 0.5 cubic metres per second. From the very beginning of the contract, the interim manager assumed all the tasks and responsibilities of the position, being also the representative of the company for the joint companies. The main tasks with which Agenda21500 collaborated during the interim period were as follows:
J The expansion of the communication channels of SIAM's organization chart with the parent companies.
J Analysis of the contract between SIAM and the Comune of Syracuse.
J Optimization of the service organization chart.
J Readjustment of the ARERA tariff.
J Adequacy of criteria and tools to make the collection of overdue debt by users more efficient.
J Review of the financial situation of the service.
J Strengthening of the institution in its relations both internally and externally.
J Drafting of the Plan of feasible investments according to contract. National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). Presentation of preliminary drafts for the "Aqua Bene Comune" Plan at the level of the Italian Government Ministry.
J Development of the SOA Certification Procedure for the company, both as a construction company and as a water system management company.
J Studies of alternatives in energy consumption efficiency and new suppliers before the price increase that took place in 2022.
In addition, and as an intrinsic scope of Agenda21500's services, the content of the follow-up reports was analysed in weekly meetings with the incoming
Agenda21500’s expertise was key to achieving rapid integration into the project’s teams and early detection of improvement needs
manager who was finally selected by SIAM, so that, at the time of his incorporation, he would know all the details about the management and responsibilities he was going to face, significantly optimizing the time for the acquisition of information and integration into the company's organization chart.
During the last weeks of the service, the two managers worked closely together to guarantee the transition of information and transfer of responsibilities in accordance with the needs of our client.
With this contract and thanks to the trust put in us by our client, Agenda21500 has returned to interim project
management at the European level after the hiatus caused by the pandemic period. With this important reference, we have consolidated our international presence in four of the five continents and we are confident that this year we will be able to expand our interim project management services to new geographical areas.
novation initiatives and how they align with the company's strategic goals?
Z Cristina Novo PérezNorthumbrian Water provides essential water and sewerage services, meeting customer priorities while working to address the challenges of tomorrow effectively.
With sustainability at its core, Northumbrian Water aims to be a UK leader in the provision of sustainable water and sewerage services. As new challenges bring new opportunities, the water company aims to harness them to make a positive impact on their services and the productivity of operations. In this interview, we had the opportunity to ask Martin Jackson, Head of Digital Strategy & Product Management at Northumbrian Water, about innovation initiatives on the digital front – part of their efforts to implement better ways to do business.
Please tell us briefly about your career path and your current role at Northumbrian Water.
I have spent the past 25 years working and being inspired by the possibilities that digital technology can enable for an organisation - holding a series of senior leadership, technology strategy and programme delivery roles through that time.
I have spent roughly half of my career working in the manufacturing and automotive sectors, and the past 12 years I
have spent in utilities with Northumbrian Water - where we have been on an incredible journey with our digital technology. I believe that technology can provide the answer to some of the biggest challenges for society and the environment, and it is incumbent on us as business leaders to ensure that potential can be realised for society today, and for future generations.
I am currently Head of Digital Strategy and Product Management at Northumbrian Water Group, which means that I am responsible for three key areas:
J Setting the technology vision, strategy and roadmaps that enable us to be a leading utility business.
J Horizon-scanning to discover new and emerging technology opportunities that will drive digital innovation.
J Continually enhancing our existing digital technology to gain the most value for our customers and colleagues from our significant investments in digital technology.
Can you provide an overview of Northumbrian Water's current digital in-
Innovation is tightly woven into the DNA of Northumbrian Water Group, and this is best demonstrated by the fabulous NWG Innovation Festival which we ran in July for the seventh time. The festival alone has generated a portfolio of new ideas, delivering new possibilities for our customers, local communities and the environment. Innovation is not always about digital technology of course, but being able to successfully unlock the potential from technology often provides the catalyst to create a new way to deliver a better outcome. We created a digital vision in 2017 to be “the most digital water company in the world”. This underlined our belief that digital innovation is an essential tool in enabling a high-performing, sustainable and efficient water organisation for our customers. We subsequently spent five years, from 2016 to 2021, completely rebuilding our Customer Experience and Asset Management capabilities through two large business transformation programmes. These programmes were business focussed but technology-enabled, and this has led to us implementing the leading Customer Engagement, Customer Service and Enterprise Asset Management capabilities available anywhere in the utility industry. We have layered on top of these platforms a suite of self-developed digital experience channels by creating a series of unique and innovative mobile apps and web capabilities, offering rich and intuitive digital experiences for our customers and colleagues to engage with. This was a complex journey of change to deliver, but we are now reaping the benefits of this, with our industry-leading performance in areas like customer experience (CMex).
The Hydro Powered Concentric Smart Meter Project aims to harness the flow of water to provide an unlimited power source for the meter. Can you tell us more about it?
“We created a digital vision in 2017 to be ‘the most digital water company in the world’”
The seed of the idea for the Hydro project came from an Innovation Festival sprint which we ran to look at the limitations of existing smart water meters in being able to support the emerging needs of our customers. The idea of an innovation sprint is to look at a challenge through different lenses and cross-pollenate existing expertise in the particular challenge area, with unconstrained thinking from a diverse group of participants. We assembled a group of metering experts, manufacturers and engineers from various backgrounds to strip back a smart water meter and think about the metering technology from the perspective of “how could we…?”.
A problem that we were seeking to solve was the frequency of reads that can be achieved from a smart meter and how we could get closer to receiving a real-time data feed from meters. If we were able to achieve this then we can then provide better insights on consumption patterns for customers and further improve our leakage detection capability. The constraining factor today is the battery life of the device, which in order to ensure the meter remains economical, is expected to last 10-15 years before it requires replacement. This means that the frequency that the meter reads are sent is scaled back to often hourly or 30-minute reads, to use less power and preserve the battery life. The idea was how we could remove that constraint by making the meter self-powered and also reduce the number of smart meters needing maintenance due to battery drain. We have worked with an ecosystem of collaborators to develop the self-powered smart meter concept further, which aims to harvest energy from the flow of water through the meter to power it. The project is entering a phase where we are working with partners with the intention of developing an economically feasible self-powered smart meter module that customers from across the industry can benefit from.
Another project in the digital realm led by Northumbrian Water that was awarded funding this year under the Water Breakthrough Challenge is Stream. What does it entail?
The practice of converting contextual assets and operational data, into meaningful insights which will help achieve greater operational performance, is something that you see happening individually in each water company across the industry. Water companies have developed and matured their capability in the field of data and analytics in different ways. We believe there is more potential that can be realised from combining our individual data assets and expertise together to create shared learning that can then ben-
efit all customers. Stream is the industry open data initiative which currently has 11 participating water companies that are dedicated to unlocking the value of sharing water data, to benefit customers, society and the environment. This ambitious project enables organisations to more easily share their data by creating a series of “data pipes” which enables data to be combined more easily, enabling richer insights to be created and enabling greater collaboration around some of the tough challenges faced by the sector. This will enable greater collaboration, innovation and opportunities to learn from outside of the industry too by making data available to a broader ecosystem of external collaborators. We were proud to lead
the Ofwat Water Breakthrough Challenge submission on behalf of the industry group and the funding enables us to accelerate and amplify the benefits that can be achieved for our combined customer base. We have also taken the step of recently publishing our own Open Data strategy for Northumbrian Water which complicates the scope of Stream and sets out a vision for the value we see in open data and how we can unlock the wider benefits of open data for our customers. I believe this is an exciting well of previously untapped opportunity that can drive new possibilities for the industry as a whole.
Focusing on specific technologies. We are currently experiencing a boom in artificial intelligence. What role does AI play in optimising Northumbrian Water's operations and resource management?
It’s important that organisations have a clear view of how AI can be best leveraged by them sustainably and ethically, as it is set to have a profound impact on many facets of our lives. It’s incumbent on technology leaders to seek to uncloak the mystery of AI for their organisations, so that they can work with their colleagues to identify opportunities where AI can offer improved ways of working. The potential for water companies to create a truly smart water or wastewater network, relies heavily on the development of AI, alongside an ever-increasing tool-bag of related technology capabilities. The ability to take in multiple and often vast data sets, run complex simulations of a particular scenario, and then put forward a recommended action that can be passed forward into a control system to be actioned, is something that will drive better
operational performance across a range of water industry processes. An example could be better utilising the existing capacity within a sewer network during a storm event. This is clearly a key area for the sector currently and I believe that AI can help deliver shorter-term benefits alongside the engineering-based solutions which are being developed. We are currently doing some work with our partners on the control room of the future and the idea is that you can then use this AI model to forecast events and run scenarios sometime in advance to help with planning. As time moves forward and the data becomes more certain, the model output becomes more refined until you have a real-time view of what is happening in the network. I can also see great potential from AI in making our customer experiences more intelligent and personalised, and the same principles also apply to the experiences of our colleagues. We are looking at smarter ways that our colleagues in operations can capture important job and asset information from the font-line, by developing
"The potential for water companies to create a truly smart water or wastewater network, relies heavily on the development of AI"
even simpler and more intelligent digital experiences in the field.
In what ways has digital innovation transformed your approach to customer engagement and service delivery?
I believe the biggest factor in being able to unlock brilliant digital customer experiences, is to invest in platforms and channels that are flexible and can be easily enhanced in line with changing customer needs. This is primarily the reason why we chose to build our own customer website and customer mobile app, to have full control of our own roadmap for these channels. We can quickly establish what capabilities are most valuable for our customers and we have full control in introducing them into our channels. We are predominantly “buy, over build” in terms of our digital strategy, but we felt that having a unique platform to innovate on for our customers, would enable us to differentiate the experience that we could provide to them. This experience was therefore something we felt had a strong case for developing ourselves as we did not feel there was something in the market that delivered our requirements fully. The opposite is true in some cases and it’s much better to leverage the innovation created from the investment that big product vendors are putting into their platforms. In the case of our customer engagement platform that manages our phone, webchat and social channels, we are seeing some really powerful AI enabled capabilities that are being released by the vendor. They can be implemented often at the toggle of a switch due to the fact we selected products that offer flexibility. The technology is only part of this however and it’s important that you create the correct culture and delivery model too. We operate a product management approach in our internal digital team to unlock continuous value from our digital technology, which means our product teams work closely with vendors to evaluate the future capabilities that are coming
and define a roadmap of future deliverables that will constitute the most value to our customers. This model means that we are seeing new business value delivery coming through from our existing technologies more continuously.
Looking ahead, what are the upcoming digital innovation priorities for Northumbrian Water? How do you envision these initiatives will shape the company's operations and services in the next few years?
The next regulatory period (AMP8) looks set to be an ambitious period for the industry in terms of investment delivery. The most furrow environment for digital innovation often comes when a stepchange is required quickly. We observed this during the pandemic when organisations were able to deliver technology change that could typically take months or years, over the course of a matter of weeks. An example of this for Northumbrian Water was our ability to create a virtual customer service team that protected our colleagues by enabling them to work effectively from the onset of the pandemic and continue to serve our most vulnerable customers. We learned a lot about how we can approach projects differently through that period and we have created brilliant digital foundations to build from, through
the technology transformation and new digital channels that we have created. This means that the focus for us shifts more towards emerging capabilities that enable us to further scale what we do, collaborate more effectively with a broader eco-system of delivery partners and enable our brilliant colleagues to focus on the tasks that are most valuable for our customers. An area that we expect to bring great opportunities for the industry over the coming years, is what we are calling ‘co-botics’. Co-botics leverages the unique strengths of both people and robotics, where the technology can help scale, accelerate or perform a task where it is not suitable for our colleagues to do. A human can remain in the loop to retain overall control of the process, but they are acting on intelligence provided by AI and actioning the task through some kind of robotic capability. We recently held a design sprint which was co-led by the new National Robotarium in Edinburgh, where we are exploring a range of possibilities, from robotics that enable ‘no-dig’ pipe repairs, to robotics that can analyse water quality. This is an exciting area where I feel there is huge potential to improve the working experiences of our colleagues, deliver better outcomes for our customers and for the water industry to rise to shared challenges faced by the sector.
Co-botics leverages the unique strengths of both people and robotics, where the technology can help scale, accelerate or perform a task
Friel continued, “The Board is very grateful for Patrick’s leadership over nearly ten years, a period during which Xylem transformed into a global market leader with expanded scale and international presence, the water industry’s most advanced portfolio of solutions, and an outstanding record of value creation – delivering more than 300% total return to shareholders. Under Patrick’s visionary and passionate leadership, he and the team have fortified Xylem’s competitive advantages and put the Company on a path of continuing growth. Xylem’s future is very bright and we thank Patrick for his service.”
Xylem Inc., a leading global water technology company dedicated to solving the world’s most challenging water issues, has announced that after a distinguished decade leading Xylem, President and Chief Executive Officer Patrick Decker has announced his plans to retire as CEO at the end of 2023. In accordance with the Company's long-term succession planning process, Decker will be succeeded by Matthew Pine, Xylem’s Chief Operating Officer, effective January 1, 2024. At that time, Decker will retire from Xylem’s Board and Pine will join as a Director. Decker and Pine will work closely together to ensure a smooth transition.
Xylem has also appointed William Grogan, formerly Chief Financial Officer of IDEX Corporation, to Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Of-
ficer, effective October 1, 2023. Grogan succeeds Sandra Rowland who is leaving to pursue new and different opportunities. Both Decker and Rowland will remain employed through March 2024 to serve as advisors and support the transitions.
Robert Friel, Chair of Xylem’s Board, commented, “With Patrick’s decision to retire, we have the privilege of making these executive appointments as Xylem’s strength, performance and momentum continue to rise. The Board unanimously agrees that Matthew is the right leader to drive the next chapter of value creation at Xylem. Matthew brings a strategic, global mindset and deep operational capability, and we look forward to his continued leadership in advancing the Company’s impact around the world.”
Patrick Decker commented, “It has been a tremendous honor to serve as CEO for nearly a decade. I am so proud of the impact the Xylem team has had helping our customers and communities become more water-secure and more sustainable. Having worked sideby-side with Matthew for the past several years, I have full confidence he will continue Xylem’s trajectory of growth and accelerate our focus on both economic and social value creation. I want to thank Rob and our entire Board of Directors for their steadfast encouragement and partnership throughout my tenure. I am excited about Xylem’s next chapter and look forward to working with Matthew over the next several months to ensure a smooth transition.”
The Company is reaffirming its third-quarter and full-year 2023 guidance issued on August 2, 2023.
LG Chem intends to establish an RO membrane facility in South Korea, with a focus on catering to the industrial water treatment market
South Korea's leading chemical manufacturer, LG Chem Ltd., has outlined an investment of 124.6 billion won ($94.5 million) aimed at augmenting its water treatment material production capacity, with the intention of doubling its business within the next five years, reports The Korea Economic Daily.
LG Chem announced its decision to allocate the funds toward the establishment of a new facility in South Korea. This factory will have an annual capacity of 400,000 reverse osmosis (RO)
membranes, which can desalinate 1.6 billion tons of water annually. In terms of scale, this quantity would be sufficient to meet the water needs of 16 million people, approximately one-third of South Korea's population, according to the company.
LG Chem aims to double its RO membrane business, a sector that is anticipated to generate sales amounting to 200 billion won this year, during the next five years coming thanks to the factory the company will build in its
NSI Mobile Water Solutions announced the successful acquisition of a notable segment of Pall Water's European mobile water fleet, which includes Pall Aria™ Containerized units. This strategic purchase is set to bolster Nijhuis Saur Industries’ Mobile Water Solutions division's fleet, significantly expanding its capacity to serve an even larger customer base.
The acquisition marks a significant milestone in the expansion of NSI Mobile Water Solutions’ fleet and further strengthens Nijhuis Saur Industries'
position in the Industrial Water market segment as one of Europe's leading providers of mobile water services. The company's fleet of mobile water treatment solutions is already one of the largest and youngest in Europe, and the addition of the Pall Aria™ assets will allow NSI Mobile Water Solutions to meet even the most challenging requirements of its growing customer base.
The fleet comprises the Pall Aria™ mobile water PAM C60 and C20 containers, which house a comprehensive membrane
production complex in Cheongju, approximately 130 kilometers (81 miles) south of Seoul.
In 2014, LG Chem entered the RO membrane arena through its acquisition of NanoH2O, a US-based manufacturer specializing in seawater desalination materials. In alignment with its sustainability objectives, LG Chem has set the ambitious target of powering all its RO membrane factories, including the new Cheongju facility, entirely through renewable energy by the year 2030.
water treatment system, employing hollow fiber membrane technology. These containers feature filtration racks with advanced membrane modules, effectively filtering pressurized raw water.
By adding the Pall Aria™ to our fleet, NSI Mobile Water Solutions is equipped to handle even the most demanding requirements of various industries. The company's dedication to innovation and customer satisfaction sets it apart, ensuring clients can access reliable, sustainable, and efficient mobile water solutions.
Phoslock Environmental Technologies (PET) is a global leader in the treatment and remediation of freshwater, particularly those impacted by excessive phosphorus concentrations.
With an expanding global footprint, the company is growing its Distributor Partnership network throughout Europe and other regions, offering opportunities for industry specialist service providers to become authorised Phoslock and Phosflow distributors and applicators.
According to PET’s General Manager for Europe, Damian Whelan, the partnership offers water management specialists a way to expand and fully integrate their services. “We’re inviting water industry experts that are interested in adding leading technologies to their business, to look at becoming an accredited PET Distribution Partner,” Damian explained.
Globally, PET works closely with trusted business partners that use their products: Phoslock® and Phosflow™ in their suite of services to offer their customers. Business partners are experts in water quality management for lakes, ponds, wastewater, stormwater, livestock, and agricultural runoff; most provide a full range of services for their customers, such as project planning, applications, water sampling, scientific testing, site surveys and reviews.
“When they join our network, we provide full access, support, and technical
product knowledge education for the smooth incorporation of PET solutions to their product offering,” said Damian, and he added, “It means that together we can deliver sustainable end-to-end solutions that tackle nutrient pollution and the impacts of climate change on freshwaters in a seamless way for end-users.”
With over 20 years of experience in water remediation, PET is an established global company with an enviable reputation for leading effective restoration projects around the world. With more than 300 waterbodies treated globally, its flagship product Phoslock has been assessed in more than 120 independent peer-reviewed papers. “It’s all about restoring polluted systems towards a more desirable condition,” Damian said.
PET’s products are environmentally friendly and supported by scientific research. Phoslock also has key water safety
accreditations in multiple regions around the world. “By gaining access to a proven, leading technology for phosphorus remediation of waterbodies, our Partners can expand the solutions on offer to their customers, addressing problematic nutrient loads in our waterways with a safe, effective treatment solution”, noted Damian. “Our aim is to deliver water management solutions that are practical, effective, efficient and safe, with long-term consumer and community benefits.”
Access to world-leading water remediation solutions
PET’s product solutions target excess phosphorus for both static and flowing freshwater systems.
Phoslock is designed for use in static waters, such as ponds and lakes, and is a scientifically tested, eco-friendly water treatment. This unique water management technology improves the ecological structure and function of waterbodies by significantly reducing the available phosphorus concentrations in the water column and those released from sediment complexes. Made of lanthanum-modified bentonite, Phoslock binds with phosphorus, permanently locking it up and making it inert in the system. Developed by Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Phoslock has been extensively researched for more than two decades by independent experts as having distinct advantages over other in-lake phosphorus control treatments.
For flowing water systems, Phosflow™ is an environmentally safe solution for phosphorus removal and remediation. Developed under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with the US EPA, Phosflow is made from sustainable, naturally occurring mineral materials that adsorb phosphorus from water upon contact. It can be used in a variety of applications such as municipal wastewater, waterways, stormwater infrastructure, livestock
More than 120 peer-reviewed papers have been published about Phoslock, which also has key water safety accreditations in multiple regions
runoff and agricultural runoff to remove phosphorus before it travels to other water systems. Phosflow is simple to use, non-hazardous, insoluble in water and non-toxic to aquatic plants and wildlife.
Combined, the Phoslock and Phosflow technologies provide an end-to-end solution for the removal of excess phosphorus from freshwater systems in a way that is simple, sustainable and safe.
Phoslock can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Methane emissions from freshwater sources are expected to increase due to ecosystem changes and excess nutrients
entering freshwater systems due to changes in climate patterns. Natural lakes are reported to contribute ~70% of all freshwater methane emissions, contributing ~43% of total global natural emissions. Shallow, smaller lakes emit more methane than deeper and larger ones, and lakes suffering from nutrient pollution emit more methane than lakes in good condition due to the accumulation of organic matter on the sediment surface.
Damian says Phoslock can help reduce these greenhouse gas (GHG) impacts. “A recent study found that its use can reduce methane emissions by up to 74%, with the potential to reduce other GHG release as well,” he said.
Methane is the second most important greenhouse gas contributor to climate change, responsible for approximately 20% of the total effect, with freshwater bodies a significant natural source. Phoslock works by reducing the phosphorus concentrations in a waterbody, which can reduce the amount of organic material in the sediment, Damian explained. “The
result is less methane emissions through organic material breakdown”, he noted, adding that “it is an important option as we work toward meeting global and local emissions reduction targets.”
Think ahead with “Plan A” when treating phosphorus pollution
According to Damian, “Plan A” highlights autumn as the start of the best time of year to treat lakes and ponds suffering from phosphorus nutrient pollution using Phoslock. “As the majority of the available phosphorus is typically in the sediments during this time, it makes the perfect time to apply Phoslock, as Phoslock works by controlling phosphorus release from bed sediments.”
It is a good time for waterbody owners, managers and operators to plan now for next year’s warmer seasons. “It is also a time of year when many waterbodies are not used as much for recreation, meaning there is less risk of disturbance to businesses and waterbody users during the remediation process.”
Phoslock is designed for use in static waters, such as ponds and lakes, and is a scientifically tested, eco-friendly water treatment
Damian said there are several benefits to treating lakes and ponds with Phoslock in the cooler seasons. “Making the application during our colder months is a preventative, proactive measure.” It optimises treatment timing in a way that helps to minimise the potential of waterbodies being closed due to poor water quality during spring and summer when the use of lakes and waterbodies for water sports and recreational activities is popular.
He says nutrient pollution management is a complex global challenge, but one that can be prevented and controlled. “It’s important to think through the timing, so that we can treat and remediate our lakes and waterways in time for peak use periods.”
Understanding what’s possible
Damian says he is keen to talk with anyone interested in being part of PET’s European network or would like to know more about the company’s water remediation products.
“It’s all about making sure that we can restore and safeguard healthy waterways for all users, now and into the future. Water is a precious resource that unless we act now will become more challenging to manage and keep at a good quality.
“Our goal through these partnerships is to achieve stronger partner and customer relationships that help us all to
address phosphorus pollution, reduce climate change impacts on freshwater systems and reduce GHG emissions from waterbodies – in a way that works, is sustainable, and safe.”
More information about the benefits of being a distributor and what you can expect from the partnership can be found here: www.petwatersolutions.com/become-phoslock-phosflow-distributor
Made of lanthanum-modified bentonite, Phoslock binds with phosphorus, permanently locking it up and making it inert in the system
Sydney Water prides itself in providing world-class water services for the benefit of the community, putting customers front of mind and contributing to liveable cities.
Sydney Water is investing in major projects and infrastructure to ensure a resilient and reliable water supply. Australia’s largest single water utility is working to adapt to a rapidly growing population, a changing climate, and changing customer needs and priorities, while protecting the natural environment and being a successful business. Emma Pryor, Head of Major Project Delivery, Sydney Water, is in charge of a multibillion-dollar portfolio to install major water and wastewater facilities across Sydney in the coming years; in this interview, she tells us about the utility’s priorities as it addresses its most pressing challenges and plans to reach net carbon zero by 2050.
Can you tell us briefly about your career path and your current role at Sydney Water?
I am the Head of Major Projects at Sydney Water, Australia’s largest single water utility. I have held this position for three years.
Sydney Water’s major projects’ function focuses on developing, procuring and delivering our most important strategic
investments for our customers. Generally, each investment is over A$50 million, has a high level of complexity and is unique or business critical. The recent sod turn of the A$1.2 billion dollar Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Centre (AWRC) in western Sydney, which is due to be operational in 2026, and is being developed to ensure wastewater services and circular economy outcomes for the Parkland City, is a great example.
I began my career as an Environmental Engineer over 20 years ago. Since then, I have held various engineering and management consulting positions for companies like SKM (now Jacobs) and MWH Global (now Stantec). I am a long-time member of the Australian Water Association where I have held Secretary and Treasurer positions on behalf of the committee.
What are some of the most pressing challenges Sydney Water is facing? How do you expect them to evolve in the future?
Sydney’s rapidly growing population requires increased drinking water supply and wastewater services. The New South Wales Department of Planning and Environment predicts Sydney’s population will increase by 1.8 million people (or 35%) by 2050.
Our climate is also changing, and this is leading to increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events, droughts, and floods.
The needs and priorities of our customers are changing, and we are adapting to meet them. We conduct extensive and indepth customer engagement programs on an ongoing basis. We know that in 2023, our customers are more forward-thinking and community-minded than even just five years ago when it comes to water.
Emerging digital capabilities within Sydney Water are providing new opportunities to plan, design, build, and operate our assets and systems but also need to be protected from cyber risks. We also work hard to mitigate as much as we can against unpredictable events ranging from geopolitical volatility to pandemics to supply chain interruptions.
Sydney Water is the biggest single water utility in Australia. Could you highlight your priority projects for the coming years?
Sydney Water plans to invest over A$30 billion up to 2033 to deliver the level of service our customers expect in Greater Sydney and the Illawarra. This figure is four times the capital expenditure we have spent compared to the recent past.
Our plan is aligned with the NSW Government’s vision through the Greater Sydney Water Strategy. The direction follows an integrated water management approach, with an emphasis on ensuring the resilience of our water supply as our city grows, and the protection of our natural environment. Over the next 10 years, al-
“Sydney Water’s goals include ensuring 65% of our drinking water supply is rainfall independent by 2050”
Z Cristina Novo Pérez
most half of our investment will deliver new services to growth areas across Greater Sydney.
Our priority projects include:
J Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Centre: The Advanced Water Recycling Centre will treat wastewater from homes and businesses, producing recycled water for a range of residential, agricultural and industrial uses. With direct access to the new Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport – which will welcome more than 80 million passengers per year by 2063 – this flagship precinct also presents a unique future opportunity to maximise resource recovery from food waste and activate a broader circular economy hub – a biorefinery – for the management of water, energy and bioresources in the region.
J Greater Parramatta and Olympic Peninsula (GPOP): As part of Sydney Water’s plan to create a water resilient future, we
are developing an adaptive plan for the Greater Parramatta and Olympic Peninsula region. The heart of this project will be a new wastewater resource recovery facility. This is a considerable infrastructure investment, and it will be built in stages to match needs; the population in the region is forecast to rise by 400,000 people over the next 20 years.
J Richmond System Wastewater Upgrade Project: The population in North Richmond and Richmond catchments is projected to grow significantly over the next 30 years, seeing a 70 per cent increase in water resource recovery requirements.
Sydney Water is working to upgrade the wastewater infrastructure to meet the servicing needs of a growing population and regulatory requirements. The Richmond System Wastewater Upgrade Project is essential to ensure the community has continued access to safe and reliable wastewater services and to provide circu-
lar economy benefits by increasing wastewater recycling opportunities.
J Malabar System Investment Program: The Malabar Wastewater System is one of Sydney’s oldest and largest servicing over a third of Sydney Water’s customers. As the population in the Malabar catchment grows from 1.8 million people today to a forecast 2.9 million in 2056, so will demand for services. In response, several projects are planned including upgrades to Glenfield, Liverpool and Fairfield Wastewater Resource Recovery
"Sydney Water plans to invest A$30B up to 2033 to deliver the level of service our customers expect in Greater Sydney and the Illawarra"
Facilities plus works to refurbish a key pump station to enable better utilisation of existing major trunk capacity.
In the long term, through our major projects and infrastructure, our goals include ensuring 65 per cent of our drinking water supply is rainfall independent by 2050. We are also looking at producing 163 gigalitres of recycled water each
year and looking to build 13,000 km of new pipe for drinking water and wastewater to service new suburbs.
Construction recently began on the Upper South Creek Advanced Water Recycling Centre. Can you tell us about this landmark investment, and how will it contribute to a circular economy?
The Upper South Creek AWRC will service 400,000 people in Western Sydney. One hundred per cent of the biosolids produced by the AWRC will be used as fertiliser. There is also the potential to expand this to generate even more energy from food waste.
A four-megawatt solar array and future bio-gas energy will be used to power the site. The solar farm will generate approximately eight Gigawatt hours (GWh) of energy per annum, or enough to power approximately 1,400 households for an entire year.
The solar array will power the facility in the early years. As energy requirements grow, a circular economy precinct featuring bio-gas energy will be constructed to help meet future needs.
Technology innovation can lead to significant improvements in utility performance and resilience. What emphasis does Sydney Water place on innovation, and in particular digital technology? Emerging digital capabilities provide a key opportunity we are focussing on
through to 2050. It affects everything from how we design, build, and maintain our infrastructure to how we interact with customers.
We are targeting to convert over 90 per cent of our meters to smart meters by 2035. The program will ensure that most households and businesses can monitor and measure water usage, detect leaks, and provide insights regarding water consumption and costs. Through this program, Sydney Water will gain a more granular understanding of customer water usage and usage patterns.
Sydney Water has 6,000 smart sensors in place to detect blockages in wastewater pipes and provide real time alerts so our teams can proactively clear them. These devices save the organisation hundreds of thousands of dollars by detecting blockages early.
Our new website provides our customers with improved services and convenience when they need to pay their bills.
Can you discuss the role of new water infrastructure and upgrades as part of plans to achieve net zero goals?
Sydney Water plans to reach net carbon zero by 2050 or earlier. We currently have the capacity to generate up to 85 Gigawatt hours per year of renewable energy from our existing operational
sites through Biogas, Hydro and Solar Schemes. By 2030, we are planning to increase renewable energy generation to 170 Gigawatt hours, equivalent to powering around 20,000 homes.
An example of how we’re contributing to this goal through our infrastructure is the Malabar Biomethane Injection Project, built by our partner Jemena, and being installed at our Malabar Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Through this project, we will be able to recover up to 99.5 percent of methane from wastewater, refine it to Australian standards and send it back to the gas grid as a green gas alternative, supplying 6,300 homes.
What would be examples of situations your organisation has successfully handled that can provide a model to replicate in other areas?
Sydney Water has worked hard to provide a rainfall independent water supply. Sydney’s desalination plant supplies about 15% of Sydney’s drinking water. It’s not widely known but it’s not just for times of drought anymore. The plant is in regular operation to meet the city’s needs.
Our long-term planning is looking at ways to increase the proportion of rainfall independent supply Greater Sydney
has access to so we have a resilient and reliable water supply into the future.
Can you tell us about Sydney Water’s efforts to improve the resilience and reliability of its operations?
Sydney Water’s adaptive, long-term plan has a timeline out to 2050. We are planning now to ensure Sydney has a resilient and reliable, world-class drinking water supply into the future.
Our long-term plan also includes the need to build new and augment existing wastewater facilities.
Additionally, our planning for stormwater in the future includes stormwater harvesting to recycle water for non-drinking purposes, improved management to increase the health of local waterways, and creating integrated stormwater services that have less impact on the natural environment.
"We are targeting to convert over 90% of our meters to smart meters by 2035, to gain a more granular understanding of customer water usage"SYDNEY WATER
Mining is a water-intensive industry. Its interactions with water resources are very complex and site-specific, with potential impacts on both hydrology and water quality occurring at all stages of a mine's life cycle. Water needs and impacts change significantly throughout the life cycle of a mine: prior to development, operations, reclamation and post-closure.
Mining is practiced in very diverse hydrological conditions, from the arid regions of central Australia and northern Chile, to the tropics, to the subarctic conditions of Canada and Finland. Local climate and hydrology determine the infrastructure needs of mining operations and profoundly influence the water-related risks faced by mines and nearby populations, ecosystems and industry.
According to data from the Mining Council, 5% of the world's metal mining is carried out in Chile. Mining represents 12% of the country's GDP, but if we add the economic activity it generates in other sectors, the industry's contribution to GDP is around 20%. At the regional level, mining contributes 52% to the GDP of the Antofagasta region (Minería en Números 6ª Edición, Consejo Minero [Mining in Numbers 6th Edition, Mining Council]).
Chile’s mining activity takes place mainly in the north-central part of the country, considered one of the driest areas in the world, so water supply has always been a key concern for the industry. In addition, climate change has considerably increased this challenge. The water supply used in mining in Chile comes from surface sources (28%),
groundwater (33%), seawater (30%) and third parties (9%).
In terms of technologies, desalination is gaining ground, accounting for 30% of the industry's water consumption, and is expected to reach 50% by 2030. There are currently eleven desalination plants
producing water for mining and seven more in the pipeline. Antofagasta will be the region with the largest number of desalination plants, making it an economically profitable and sustainable region.
Given the scarcity of water in many areas of Chile and Latin America, water reuse has become a key approach to address this issue. Some 76% of the water used in mining processes in Chile is recycled water. Water reuse in mining involves treating and recycling the water used in processes so that it can be reused in the different operational stages. This not only reduces the demand for fresh-
water, but also contributes to mitigating the environmental impact by reducing water withdrawal from natural sources and contaminated water discharges.
Thanks to the development of new technologies, mining is gradually using less and less water, reducing the level of extraction from inland waters.
As we already know, mining consumes large quantities of water. Water is needed at various stages of operations, such as extraction, processing and transportation
of ore, where specialized water services are also required:
J Extraction and processing: Mining involves the separation of valuable minerals and metals from the surrounding rock. This is often done through crushing, grinding and leaching processes, which require water to carry out the necessary chemical reactions. In addition, water is also used to cool and lubricate the machinery used in these stages.
J Transport of minerals: Transporting minerals from the mine site to processing plants or ports may also require water to ensure that the material moves efficiently and smoothly.
J Dust and emissions control: Mining activity can generate dust and suspended particulate matter that can be harmful to human health and the environment. The use of water to suppress dust is common in mining operations to mitigate these negative impacts.
J Acid drainage control: Some mineral deposits may contain sulphides that, when exposed to air and water, can generate acid drainage, which is highly polluting to surrounding water bodies. The use of water in the management of these wastes is essential to control and neutralize the effects of acid drainage.
J Cooling and power generation: Mining operations often require cooling for equipment and machinery, as well as for power generation in thermal power plants. Water is an essential element in these processes.
Because water is needed at different stages in mining processes, there are different
Given the scarcity of water in many areas of Chile and Latin America, water reuse has become a key approach to address this issue
technologies for water treatment, either for process water or wastewater.
Among them are wastewater treatment systems using activated sludge, a type of biological treatment used to remove organic matter and other contaminants from wastewater.
For drinking water plants, one of the key components is the filter system that is used to remove suspended particles and other impurities present in the raw water, converting it into high-quality drinking water.
Reverse osmosis is a water purification process that uses semi-permeable membranes to remove a wide range of contaminants, including salts, minerals, organic matter and suspended particles.
This technology is especially useful in the mining industry to treat saline water, industrial wastewater and other contaminated water sources.
Seawater desalination is a crucial process in the mining industry, especially in regions where access to freshwater is limited and there is heavy reliance on seawater for operations. This process converts saline water into potable and usable water, as well as water for industrial processes.
Brackish water is less saline than seawater, but more saline than freshwater. In the mining industry, brackish water often needs to be treated to make it suitable for various applications, including human consumption, mining operations and other industrial processes.
Finally, membrane bioreactors (MBR systems) are advanced wastewater treatment systems that combine biological processes with solids separation using semi-permeable membranes. This technology is used in the mining industry to treat wastewater generated during mining processes, reduce the pollutant load and produce high-quality effluent.
In mining projects, there is usually a regulation to comply with in terms of safety. Usually, mining regulations ask for staff to have the qualifications required for the activity involved. For this type of service, for the different fields that we hire personnel, such as mechanical or electrical maintenance, people with degrees or professional technicians are needed; in addition, there are some additional qualifications as per Chile’s government authority regulating electricity and fuels (Superintendencia de Electricidad y Combustibles). These services also involve the movement of materials, for which we require technicians with a professional driver's license for the use of machinery.
On the other hand, occupational health and safety professionals are required, depending on the type of services and the risk involved in the operation of these services to people or the environment. These must be professionals accredited by the National Health Service or the National Geology and Mining Service.
Reverse osmosis is especially useful in the mining industry to treat saline water, industrial wastewater and other contaminated sources
Almar Water Solutions specialises in the development, financing, operation and management of water assets worldwide. In Chile, through our subsidiary Almar Water Services Latam, we manage water services for mining clients, offering several significant advantages:
J Specialized expertise: Almar Water Services Latam has extensive experience managing water resources in challenging environments. We understand the complexities and specific needs of the mining industry, allowing us to design customized and efficient solutions.
J Regulatory knowledge: The mining industry is subject to a number of environmental regulations and standards that must be met. As a specialized water management company, we are aware of these regulations and work to ensure that water services meet all legal and environmental requirements.
J Water use optimization: Almar Water Services Latam has the expertise to assess and optimize water use in mining operations. This includes identifying opportunities for water reuse and recycling, which can reduce freshwater demand and minimize environmental impacts.
J Advanced technology: We have advanced water treatment and monitoring technologies. This allows for more efficient and accurate management of water resources, ensuring that water is properly treated and maintained in optimal conditions.
J Risk reduction: Improper water management can lead to risks such as water contamination, regulatory penalties and reputational damage. Almar Water Services Latam works to minimize these risks by implementing sound water management and treatment practices.
J Innovation: We offer new and creative solutions to address the specific challenges of the mining industry, which can result in greater efficiency and sustainability.
J Focus on sustainability: Sustainable water management is essential to the future of the mining industry and the environment in general. Almar Water Services Latam understands the importance of balancing operational needs with water conservation and will work towards a more sustainable approach.
Choosing Almar Water Services Latam to manage water services for mining clients means choosing experience, regulatory knowledge, advanced technology and a focus on sustainability. This can translate into more efficient management, risk reduction and a positive environmental impact, benefiting both mining operations and the environment in which they operate.
Almar Water Services Latam offers experience, regulatory knowledge, advanced technology and a focus on sustainability
Looking the other way in times of drought is something that, as companies dedicated to caring for our source of life, we cannot afford. Water, a common good, is becoming increasingly scarce.
Responsible consumption and use, and efficient water treatment processes are not a choice, but an obligation. Now is the time when the circular model of production and consumption must prevail over the linear model (buy-use-throw away) if we want to safeguard our planet and its freshwater reserves, which make up only 2.5% of the total land surface.
On the other hand, we know that 45% of global emissions are due to our form of production, so the circular economy is seen as the preferred alternative to help keep global warming below 1.5 °C, as required by the Paris Agreement. To achieve this goal, emissions need to be reduced by around 45% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050.
At ACCIONA, as part of our strategy and commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we are clear about this and have been working on it for years within the company’s main business areas (Water, Construction, Energy, Waste and Mobility). This has enabled us to establish a circular strategy based on the industrial symbiosis of our businesses.
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation, a world reference in the field of the Circular Economy, states that the most important pillar that supports the economic model of the circular economy is the application of the 7Rs rule, a concept born from the 3Rs, defined as "reduce, reuse and recycle". It is a rule that should be applied from the beginning of the design of a product to the way it is consumed, and putting pressure on industries to manufacture products in line with the interests of society: Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Redistribute and Reclaim.
Let us reflect on this, applying the first R that appears within the premises of the foundation's model: "Rethink". Let us think about the influence of human beings and how they relate to nature, a fundamental part of this equation, given that their actions have a direct impact on the environment around them.
In today's world, for any software application, technology tool and digital development to have an impact and be meaningful, people have to be – rightly – at the centre of it. It would be logical to think that people are the starting and endpoint of this model.
Every action has a reaction, and in this case, our behaviour in terms of consumption, production and relationship with the environment around us, will have a direct impact on the final result.
We need to start from the bottom, with a sound environmental education and have enough capacity to rethink what surrounds us; these two premises are key to ensuring the best decisions within this model are consistent, also in terms
To safeguard our planet and its freshwater reserves, the circular model of production and consumption must prevail over the linear one
of how to extract, produce and consume; that is, it is in our hands that the model works.
At ACCIONA we have implemented these ideas, prioritizing the needs of our clients and users and their relationship
with the environment, taking steps from the conception of our activities and services that support clean energy instead of fossil fuels; encouraging the reuse of wastewater for irrigation, and efficiency in desalination processes as alternative
water sources; supporting sustainable agriculture that favours local and seasonal produce, increasing the useful life of our assets through efficiency in our operating processes, mitigating the generation of waste that is harmful to our
health such as microplastics in our ecosystem from synthetic textile manufacturing materials, etc.
This model that we have implemented in the water sector from the moment that we start to design infrastructure (treatment plants, networks and ser-
vices), to then build, operate and maintain them based on the premises and principles of the circular economy, will only be successful if we manage to bring together all actors involved in water cycle management with the end users, in the same chain.
Can technology be the key to applying this model and closing the circle?
Obviously, the answer is yes: right now, there are few challenges that technology cannot tackle in industries, as long as we are clear about the problem we want to solve, the opportunity we want to generate or the process we are going to transform.
For example, one of the terms we hear the most in the water sector events is "biofactory"; our wastewater treatment plants are real factories of new raw materials (clean water, sludge for agriculture, biogas, fertilizers...) derived from waste input to the facility, but how do we measure this? And more importantly, how do we make them interact with the rest of the actors, so that they can be transformed into a real economy, and the by-products of the above processes can be in the hands of the people who need them in time and manner? In short, how
The circular economy will be successful if we manage to bring together all actors involved in water cycle management with the end users
are we able to generate a positive impact and transform the linear model into a circular one?
The only way to improve and generate an impact is by measuring; through the use of technology and digitalisation, we will be able to improve. Thanks to the application of circular economy principles, we will be able to go beyond having a portfolio of circular solutions and close the circle completely, generating wealth and a prosperous economy.
The application of technology has given us the ability to establish a sustainable methodology to track our processes and assets, starting with water and expanding to the rest of our main activities.
Today, at ACCIONA, we are able to know in real time, the percentage of circularity not only of the assets but of each of our water treatment activities.
We have built the first platform capable of integrating the main actors in the water
sector and those who are directly impacted by a new way of understanding consumption and production circularly; from our clients, public authorities, farmers, other companies, universities and technology centres to citizens as water users.
Thanks to our platform we have achieved three clear objectives:
J Validate the capture of source and life cycle events for the processes of the entire water cycle.
J Provide a distributed, shared and permanent record to all stakeholders involved in integrated water management through data certification and Smart Contracts; this also provides transparency and data integrity to our users and clients.
J To have a model for measuring circularity, decentralized, but without the drawbacks of cost and energy waste of the traditional blockchain.
We have taken the step that ratifies our commitment to comply with cir-
cular economy legislation and with sustainable development goals worldwide, through the first tool to measure circularity in the water sector.
We have integrated everyone in the chain, as validators and users of the future Circular Economy Control Center in the water sector. A core centre for the conception, design and construction of all the infrastructure needed in the water sector and for the efficient management and optimization of all our processes and operations.
At ACCIONA we are able to know in real time the percentage of circularity not only of the assets but of our water treatment activities
Wastewater disinfection is one of the greatest public health achievements of the 20th century, controlling the spread of pathogenic microorganisms in the aquatic environment (e.g., surface waters). Nonetheless, there are challenges yet to be addressed.
Chlorine is the most used wastewater disinfectant worldwide, due to operational simplicity, high bactericidal and virucidal activity, and low cost. However, chlorine disinfection processes represent a significant operational and ecological safety hazard due to the inherent danger of chlorine leaks or large-scale releases. There are also concerns related to the documented formation of carcinogenic disinfection by-products (DBPs) in wastewater effluent discharges. In 2015, the USEPA updated its Ambient Water Quality Criteria (AWQC), which lowered cyanide exposure criteria by nearly an order of magnitude. Cyanide commonly forms in municipal wastewaters and facilities across the U.S. are detecting cyanide in chlorinated effluents. The presence of cyanide is potentially related to other regulatory actions related to nutrient removal that change effluent characteristics and increase cyanide formation potential.
Water Authority, USP Technologies, and several other North American utilities, are working to investigate PAA and PFA under Water Research Foundation (WRF) project no. 5219.
Since it was first introduced to the North American market in 2016, PAA has seen significant use for FIB compliance, due to low capital cost and lack of formation DBPs. However, while PAA and UV address DBPs, current bacterial control strategies are inefficient against viruses.
Performic acid (PFA), synthesized on-site by reaction of formic acid and hydrogen peroxide was initially introduced as an oxidant in industrial applications, and subsequently in the meat and dairy industry as a disinfectant; it has recently been applied for wastewater disinfection. The emergence of more restrictive DBP criteria, safety concerns regarding gaseous chlorine, and potential virus criteria have prompted North American interest in PFA. PFA has been used in Europe for over a decade for disinfection of secondary effluent and treatment of combined sewer overflows.
These two drivers have resulted in the implementation of peracetic acid (PAA) disinfection in North American and European facilities, and performic acid (PFA) disinfection in some European facilities. Along with these health and safety drivers, there are ongoing discussions about changes to EPA AWQC for microbials which could impact all wastewater facilities, even those that have converted from gaseous chlorine to other disinfection methods. While EPA has historically used faecal indicator bacteria (FIB) to detect sewage contamination, a viral indicator, coliphage, may be added to the existing criteria for E. coli and enterococci. In other words, WRRF disinfection processes, while currently compliant for bacteria, may not meet future criteria for viruses.
Thus, there is a strong rationale for investigating alternative disinfectants. Brown and Caldwell, along with the Great Lakes
In North America, PFA must be approved by the US EPA under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide program, and Health Canada under the Pest Management Regulatory program. Because applications to those programs are still under review, there is limited demonstration of PFA disinfection in North America. To address this data gap, the project addresses two key objectives: to demonstrate the efficacy and economics of PFA, PAA and liquid chlorine in wastewater CSO effluents in the context of emerging regulations in the US and Canada and to demonstrate how advanced chemical dosing can optimize disinfection, reduce cost, and improve effluent water quality.
Other project investigators are Domenico Santoro, Ph.D., PEng, Director of Research and Innovation, USP Technologies and Allegra K. da Silva, Ph.D., PE, Deputy Director of Research and Innovation, Brown and Caldwell.
criteria, safety concerns regarding gaseous chlorine, and potential virus criteria have prompted North American interest in PFAPHD., PE, DIRECTOR OF ENERGY, RESEARCH, & INNOVATION, GREAT LAKES WATER AUTHORITY PH.D., PE, BCEE, DIRECTOR OF WATER STRATEGY, BROWN AND CALDWELL
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• Average ROI 3 years until less than 6 months
STEPHEN OLLIER ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR IN WATER AT ARUP
Humans have an intrinsic link to water. Our freshwater and coastal environments underpin life as we know it, yet we so often take it for granted. A river is a marker for environmental health, but also the health of the land, catchments and communities which feed into it. It is part of a complex, integrated system which we must understand, respect and nurture.
A healthy river should support an abundance of life. It should contain natural flow regimes through surface and groundwaters, be devoid of excess nutrients and toxic chemicals, and have space to meander with natural runs, riffles and floodplains. In doing so, rivers support a thriving community and economy, and provide clean water, access to nature, food and energy.
In England, no river currently meets what we consider “good” using these key health indicators. And whilst much of the attention is focussed on wastewater treatment facilities and storm overflows, these are only part of the story. Agriculture, mining activity, physical modifications in towns and cities and highway drainage all impact the health of our rivers. But there is hope, there are solutions, and there is a lot to gain.
A nature-based solution refers to a living infrastructure which uses “green” systems and processes to provide essential services. It involves replacing traditional “grey” infrastructure such as buried pipe and storage tank solutions with measures including natural open grassy channels and wetlands. Both solutions can provide a similar output, i.e. water conveyance, attenuation and treatment, but the green solution provides a much wider array of positive outcomes – from habitat creation to carbon sequestration. But, to unlock their potential and regenerate our catchments we need to take a systems thinking approach, link them together at scale, and create green corridors across the country.
In the UK, the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) represents an opportunity to think differ-
ently and deliver on the UK’s ambitious Environment Act. To meet the Government’s “10 spill” output target, the business-as-usual approach is considered grey infrastructure; using known technologies which are capital expenditure driven. But, what if we took a nature-positive outcome approach?
The recent Welsh Manifesto for Rivers moves away from a numeric target and shifts to a more nuanced “no harm” approach. The aim is to promote the best total-value investment, catchment-based permitting and nature-based solutions. By using this approach to address storm overflows, the balance of solutions has shifted from grey to green. Evidence from past projects also shows that distributed nature-based solutions, supplemented with optimal grey infrastructure, can provide more affordable and resilient outcomes.
Of course, it is more nuanced than simply expecting nature-based solutions to solve all our challenges, and traditional infrastructure upgrades will still be needed to underpin our greener future. In Pontyfelin, a novel nature-based treatment system including reedbeds and Integrated Constructed Wetlands is being delivered. This is a community led design, which uses a blend of placemaking, engineering and science to create a robust treatment system, re-connecting the community with the local environment, and delivering health benefits for the river and people. Similarly, in Mansfield, Severn Trent Water is using Green Recovery funding to re-invigorate the town with nature-based solutions to turn the town into a “sponge”, to reduce flood risk, improve river water quality and boost the local economy.
Nature-based solutions are a fundamental building block to securing healthy rivers. To deliver at scale we need to be bold, innovate, and put communities, places and nature at the heart of the decisions we make. In doing this, we can inspire a generation, and shift from rhetoric to delivery.
Distributed nature-based solutions, supplemented with optimal grey infrastructure, can provide more affordable and resilient outcomes
NEOM is a new region being built from the ground up in the Northwest of Saudi Arabia and a key component of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Envisioned as a future Special Economic Zone, NEOM will be a living laboratory for solutions that address global issues.
One of NEOM’s primary goals will be to develop and implement at-scale solutions for water scarcity and pollution, minimizing water costs and eradicating waste. ENOWA, the water and energy company of NEOM, is leading this charge and has brought together world-leading experts within the energy and water space to lead infrastructure development while investing in and testing ground-breaking technology.
ENOWA and the Water Innovation Center
ENOWA Water is designing infrastructure utilizing forward-thinking technologies and in collaboration with leading international organizations. The water infrastructure is being built on renewable energy technology and circular economy principles where seawater desalination will be integrated with brine processing and 100% wastewater recycling and recovery of resources will achieve zero-liquid dis -
charge (ZLD) with no environmental runoff by 2030.
To support these ambitious targets, ENOWA has established the Water Innovation Center (WIC), dedicated to applied research in seawater desalination, brine mining, conveyance, water recycling and district cooling. WIC has already formalized strategic partnerships with several world-leading research institutions and centres of industry expertise, including The University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Texas A&M University and Pennsylvania State University and HACH in the US, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia; Public Utility Board of Singapore, Hydranautics in Japan and many others. These collaborations aim to develop a unique ecosystem of technologies and equipment that support NEOM’s utility needs while also benefiting wider global applications, creating an impetus for water industry growth and sustainability.
One of WIC’s latest technological achievements is the development of a system for low-cost harvesting of concentrated, high-purity minerals from seawater.
Current conventional seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) systems can produce only desalinated water and mixed brine of no value. The WIC system produces both desalinated water and simultaneously extracts a valuable mineral.
ENOWA Water is designing infrastructure utilizing forward-thinking technologies in collaboration with leading international organizationsZ Nikolay Voutchkov, Dr Noura Chehab, Hussain Bukannan, Mohammed Alsindi, Dr Hyuk Soo Son, Fatima Bukhari, Ali Alghazal – ENOWA Water Innovation Center
The process uses innovative SWRO membranes of standard commoditized size, with imbedded chemical ingredients in the salt separation layer which make the membrane semipermeable for water and the mineral targeted for recovery. As seawater passes through, the membrane permeate captures 99% of the targeted mineral, resulting in less than 1% loss in the SWRO brine.
A subsequent two-stage pass through a brackish RO membrane (BWRO) separates the selected mineral from the membrane permeate. The first stage fully separates the mineral from the freshwa-
ter permeates and releases over 99% of the mineral into the BWRO brine. The second stage of the BWRO system concentrates the brine to a mineral content of 99.5% or more – over 20 times its concentration in seawater. The mineral brine can then be used in liquid form or crystalized into a high-purity commercial product.
This technology enables the production of both desalinated water and valuable mineral extraction with no added complexity, enabling the valorization of seawater brine at no additional cost or energy expenditure.
The presented mineral selection system is being implemented at the WIC pilot testing facility at the Duba Desalination Plant in Saudi Arabia. The pilot program is focused on the separation, concentration and crystallization of potassium chloride from seawater. Potassium chloride is a valuable fertilizer with high market value. As seen in the figure, all process separation components are membrane-based. The separation of potassium chloride from seawater uses SWRO membrane, the separation of potassium chloride from the SWRO permeate requires conventional BWRO elements, the concentration of the separated potassium chloride is completed by osmotically--assisted reverse osmosis membranes (OARO), and the crystallization of the potassium chloride is accomplished by specialized forward osmosis driven crystallization membranes.
Compared with thermal separation and evaporation methods, the use of membrane-based technologies to separate, concentrate and crystalize the potassium chloride has been shown to reduce the capital cost and energy required for the production of potassium chloride by over 50%. Therefore, the technology presented in this article is a breakthrough in the field of brine mining and valorization.
While potassium chloride is the first mineral the WIC is presently focused on, ENOWA is developing similar selective membranes to target other valuable minerals such as lithium and rubidium salts. In all these cases, a special mineral selective membrane would be developed.
The Water Innovation Center has developed a system for low-cost harvesting of concentrated, high-purity minerals from seawaterMembrane system for selective separation and recovery of minerals from seawater.
Lewis Pugh is a renowned British endurance swimmer and environmental activist whose remarkable achievements in cold-water swimming have captured global attention. He is best known for his advocacy on behalf of ocean conservation and his extreme swimming feats in some of the world’s most challenging and frigid waters.
Mr Pugh’s swimming journey is marked by numerous accomplishments, including becoming the first person to swim across the North Pole, the first swim along the length of the English Channel, the world’s highest swim and even a swim under the Antarctic ice sheet.
His achievements not only showcase his physical and mental resilience but also serve as a platform to raise awareness about the urgent
need to protect our oceans and combat climate change. Mr Pugh, 53, worked as a maritime lawyer in London before becoming a full-time ocean advocate. For over 35 years, Lewis has been pioneering swims in the most vulnerable ecosystems to advocate for their protection. In 2013, he was appointed as the UN Patron of the Oceans.
His latest quest is swimming the length of the Hudson River in New York state – more than 500 kilometres – to draw attention to the critical importance of healthy river ecosystems to oceans and the overall environment. He expects to complete the swim before September 20th, when nations begin to ratify the UN High Seas Treaty, adopted last June to protect biodiversity in international waters.
A water treatment plant in Hong Kong implements Plant Optimiser - Envirosuite’s digital twin technology - to reduce coagulant costs at its drinking water treatment and desalination operations.
Future-proofing a treatment plant that serves 7.5 million people a day Hong Kong is a highly developed territory - ranking fourth on the UN Human Development Index, and the world’s 35th-largest economy.
One of the drinking water treatment plants in Hong Kong provides drinking water to a population of about 7.5 million, across multiple districts of Hong Kong. The operator of the plant has introduced numerous advanced technologies to improve resilience at the plant and in 2022, implemented digital twin technology to better manage coagulant costs at its operations.
In early 2022, the operator selected Envirosuite’s Plant Optimiser for its first-ever digital twin project in conventional water treatment, at the water treatment works. Plant Optimiser was implemented at the coagulation process as the first stage in determining whether digital twins could be applied more broadly at the plant and other similar treatment works in Hong Kong.
Implementing digital twin technology to receive automated recommendations on optimal plant settings
Plant Optimiser recommendations over the project period identified 23.3% reduction in alum use compared to business-as-usual operations
The objective of the digital twin project for the treatment plant is to use Envirosuite’s Plant Optimiser technology to create a reliable model that provides actionable advice on the optimum coagulant dosage. The technology creates a digital twin model representing the coagulation, lime dosing, flocculation, and dissolved air flotation systems of the plant.
Plant Optimiser is Envirosuite’s advanced real-time plant monitoring technology using both machine learning and deterministic modelling to predict incidents and identify optimal plant settings with higher accuracy.
The technology creates a digital twin model representing the coagulation, lime dosing, flocculation and dissolved air flotation (DAF) settling systems of the drinking water treatment plant. Using historical and live raw water quality as well as operating setpoint inputs from the operating plant, Plant Optimiser predicts and recommends - every hour – the optimum alum and lime dose for the plant, together with expected pH, turbidity and soluble aluminium in the blended DAF effluent, which are the key performance metrics for that stage
of the treatment works. This technology aims to assist operators in process optimisation and potentially reduce the cost of coagulation while maintaining treated water quality objectives.
Maintaining water quality objectives and improving operational performance
The model also identified opportunities for reduction in coagulant dosing while maintaining water quality objectives. It could therefore be applied at other similar plants or considered for expansion into other process operations at the same plant to assist operators in improving performance and lowering costs further.
In conclusion, the digital twin technology has helped the drinking water treatment plant to:
J Identify a 23.3% reduction in alum use compared to business-as-usual operations
J Reduce reliance on jar tests
J Ensure high-quality drinking water for the local community
Find out more here:
https://envirosuite.com/platforms/water/plant-optimiser
Plant Optimiser recommendations over the project period (June 16 – October 27, 2022) identified a 23.3% reduction in alum use compared to business-as-usual operations. With data provided by Plant Optimiser’s hourly emails, the operation team is less reliant on jar tests while ensuring high-quality drinking water for the local community.
The proof-of-concept digital twin solution was implemented in June 2022. The outputs evaluated against actual plant operations showed that the model can be used as a basis for decision-making to drive down costs of operation related to alum usage, while maintaining plant operations within the required bounds.
Based on hourly advice provided by Plant Optimiser, the operation team is less reliant on jar tests while ensuring high-quality drinking waterSMART WATER DIRECTOR AT NTT DATA EUROPE & LATAM
Álvaro Romero Danés, a seasoned Civil Engineer, is the latest expert to join NTT DATA and will lead the company’s water business with a focus on advancing digital transformation in Europe and Latin America. Romero Danés’ career journey started at Canal de Isabel II –Madrid’s water utility – and solidified at Indra’s Minsait consultancy, where he ascended to the role of global water manager.
His appointment conveys a powerful message from the trusted global innovator, showcasing its intent and capability to be an unparalleled partner in the digital transformation of leading public and private stakeholders in the water sector.
In this exclusive discussion, Romero Danés shares his strategy to consolidate and expand NTT DATA’s water capabilities and expertise. Leveraging a multi-skilled and seasoned team, he aims to establish NTT DATA as an innovative delivery partner to comprehensively tackle the digital transformation challenges of the water sector.
I joined NTT DATA to lead the water business division, enhancing the “Smart” side, which entails the digitalization of
the water sector. The company aims to assist all sector players, both public and private, in their digital transformation journey. In fact, prior to my role, a dedicated water sector business line was already in place, made up of a diverse team of civil engineers, agronomists, hydrologists, chemists, environmentalists, biologists, and more. These seasoned professionals were already managing projects both domestically and internationally.
Since I started, we have developed a strategy to consolidate the knowledge of the water business within a digital transformation framework. We are elevating solutions and services in the water and sustainability industries, backed by a team that comprises all the necessary IT profiles. This allows for a comprehensive approach to projects, integrating automation, customer experience, artificial intelligence, analytics and data management, blockchain, cybersecurity, BPO, consulting, and more.
NTT DATA is one of the leading companies in digital and commercial services. Where does it position itself in the water industry?
We have a significant presence within public bodies and are currently expand-
ing our influence in the urban water and private management sectors. NTT DATA’s strategic decision to boost this new unit, thereby enhancing our footprint in the sector, stems from our understanding of the universal need for water digitalization. This is mirrored by initiatives like the significant European funding plans dedicated to the digitalization of water usage, amounting to over 3 billion euros.
On a global scale, the water industry is undergoing major transformations due to climate change, urbanization, and the requirement for more sustainable resource management. Digitalization is seen as a key enabler for these changes, offering the potential for better data collection, analysis, and more efficient operations. As such, NTT DATA is positioning itself as a leading partner for both public and private sector entities across the world, to drive this essential digital transformation in the water industry.
From your perspective, what are the main challenges facing water management at the moment?
Firstly, water scarcity is a major challenge facing the sector and the problem isn’t confined to select regions. For example, Andalucía in Spain is grappling with severe drought, and in Catalonia, an emergency was declared as recently as last March. However, it’s vital to understand that water scarcity is a critical issue globally. In Cape Town, South Africa, a serious drought in 2018 almost led to a “Day Zero” situation. Hence, it’s not a
“Water is a critical resource, and we’re witnessing a pivotal, disruptive shift within the water sector”
"We are elevating solutions and services in the water and sustainability industries, backed by a team with all the necessary IT profiles"Z Cristina Novo Pérez - G González-Cebrián
standalone problem but an outcome of climate change.
Beyond the need for more effective management due to water scarcity, which can be facilitated through tech-based solutions, safeguarding water quality is vital to ensure both human health and ecosystem sustainability.
Financing and sustainability are two additional critical issues. Not only is funding required for the creation and upkeep of water infrastructure, but it’s equally important to ensure that investments made in the water sector are climate change-resilient and sustainable. Sustainability calls for taking into account social and environmental factors as part of water management, and the role of public participation can’t be understated.
As digitalization proves to be a powerful tool to tackle these challenges, what is your view on the digitalization of water management both within public administrations and service-providing entities?
The need to continue progressing in this direction is vital, and the sector has acknowledged this. A testament to this is the remarkable interest shown in financial assistance programs for digitalizing water management across the globe. This interest is vast, and all stakeholders are in agreement that this is the path to achieve greater efficiency and sustainability in management, thanks to the deployment of existing new technologies such as artificial intelligence.
Additionally, to effectively manage water through the use of digital platforms,
it’s crucial that we continue working on the deployment of field sensors, particularly with smart meters. These devices are
fundamental as they enable us to gather data and optimize management. For instance, Australia has been actively push-
"Sustainability calls for taking into account social and environmental factors as part of water management, as well as public participation"
The water industry is undergoing transformations due to climate change, urbanization, and the requirement for more sustainable management
ing for the installation of smart meters to improve water resource management, especially considering the country’s susceptibility to droughts and water scarcity. The key is not just to focus on digitalization but also on the infrastructural changes required to support this digital shift.
What resources does NTT DATA provide to water service operators to guide them through their digital transformation journey? And for public administrations?
We have several tools. On one hand, we employ artificial intelligence solutions to optimize wastewater treatment plants. The aim is to realize energy savings, bet-
ter use of additives, and facilitate the generation of predictive alerts.
We also have AI-driven solutions designed for the comprehensive management of the water cycle. Among the key benefits are assistance in decision-making, reduction of non-revenue water (NRW), optimization of leak detection, and effective management of meter fleets. This fosters efficient usage, standardization of management, and continuous monitoring of the network and water infrastructures. We have implemented such solutions in ACEA, the water operator for the city of Rome, and we are now collaborating with BuntPlant on a global scale to further develop and implement these services.
Additionally, we offer solutions for water quality control, and spill control, and use satellite technology for leak detection. We also provide solutions for river characterization and restoration using hydromorphological indicators, complying with the requirements of the Water Framework Directive, and leveraging artificial intelligence and drone technology. In Spain, we align closely with the recent National River Restoration Strategy 2022-2030.
Alongside our diverse range of projects, we acknowledge the critical role of eco-efficiency in irrigation management. Just recently, on August 2nd, the first call for projects under the Strategic Project for Economic Recovery and Transformation (PERTE) to support the digitalization of irrigation and the second call for projects under the PERTE to support the digitalization of urban water cycle management was announced in Spain. It’s in this timely context that we are applying our extensive experience and sector knowledge to develop a platform funded by the PERTE to assist irrigation user associations as they transition towards more efficient and sustainable practices.
A key part of our strategy includes leveraging the Water Observatory platform. This platform is responsible for collect-
focus
ing, analysing, and disseminating information related to the hydrological cycle and water uses, contributing to efficient monitoring and management of water resources with up-to-date data.
The water industry is among the last of the utility sectors to embark on its digitalization journey. What are your thoughts on why it has lagged behind?
In my view, we are just commencing the digital era for the water sector. Several sectors within utilities, such as energy, oil, or gas, have made significant strides in their digital journey. However, the water sector has largely been overlooked until now. Today, with the increasing emphasis on sustainability and climate change, the need for a digital transformation in this sector is more evident than ever. Water, much like other utilities, is a critical resource, and we’re currently witnessing a pivotal, disruptive shift within the water sector.
Amid the current boom in artificial intelligence, how is it being used in water management, and can it help improve decision-making in risk situations?
"The Water Observatory platform is responsible for collecting, analysing, and disseminating information on the water cycle and uses"
"The key is not just to
on digitalization but also on the infrastructural changes required to support this digital shift"
Artificial Intelligence is being applied in many aspects of our lives and in most sectors today. For instance, AI plays a significant role in monitoring and analysing water quality, allowing for the early identification of pollutants, detecting patterns and trends in water quality, and forecasting future occurrences. Furthermore, it streamlines the management of water infrastructure, encompassing distribution networks, treatment plants, and asset management.
On the other hand, hydrological modelling and information management through AI allows the prediction of extreme phenomena, such as floods and droughts, and the management of water resources. Similarly, it contributes to improving energy efficiency by optimizing the use of energy in water infrastructures, such as pumping, purification, and water desalination.
And finally, artificial intelligence is revolutionizing customer service, through the use of chatbots and virtual assistants to handle user requests and questions, as
well as for billing management and resolution of technical issues.
What strategies are being employed in the digital transformation of the water industry, considering countries’ different levels of digital maturity? Which markets does NTT DATA prioritize in this landscape?
The water industry’s digital transformation is being managed in a comprehensive, multidisciplinary manner and it’s tailored to the digital maturity of each region. In technologically advanced nations, state-of-the-art technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are used to optimize water management. Meanwhile, in nations that are still progressing digitally, the focus is on modernizing infrastructure and introducing digital technologies through international collaboration and public-private partnerships.
The common goal here is to bolster efficiency and sustainability in global water resource management. In this transformation, NTT DATA plays a pivotal role, leveraging our advanced digital capabilities and vast experience in the water sector. Our primary areas of focus are Europe and Latin America, although our services have global coverage. As the 6th leading IT company globally, we adapt to the unique needs of each region, thus ensuring efficient, sustainable solutions to meet ever-evolving demands.
Could you tell us about some of the projects NTT DATA is involved in within this scope?
We’re committed to fully digitizing the water cycle, working hand in hand with both public and private institutions. A key project we’ve recently undertaken in Spain involves digitizing the water quality data management system for the General Directorate of Water and Hydrographic Confederations, as an integral part of the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan (PRTR).
"AI streamlines the management of water infrastructure, encompassing distribution networks, treatment plants, and asset management"
Water, much like other utilities, is a critical resource, and we’re witnessing a pivotal, disruptive shift within the water sector
In addition, we are developing hydrological planning and water observatory projects in Europe and America, assessing the status of water bodies and resource management. One of our noteworthy projects focuses on the hydromorphological characterization of rivers. This project uses artificial intelligence and can be replicated worldwide.
Finally, our partnership with global companies in digital transformation and asset management enables us to
keep making strides in improving global water management.
One of the major challenges in digitalization is cybersecurity. What measures are you taking to ensure the privacy and protection of customers, services, and infrastructure?
Right now, we have a multitude of solutions within the field of cybersecurity. At NTT DATA, we have a very robust cybersecurity unit that works across multiple sectors. We even have our own
security operations centre. Over the years, we’ve established a track record of deploying advanced solutions tailored to the needs of our customers. In terms of cybersecurity of assets, and in the case of the integral water cycle, there are critical assets, so we are strengthening this line against attacks of any kind. The methods and capabilities we use to protect the networks, field-deployed sensor systems, water assets, data from unauthorized access or cyberattacks, guarantee the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the information.
Furthermore, given the growing reliance on data by managers and companies in the sector, it is crucial that they maintain a comprehensive strategy. This strategy should cover areas such as compliance with data protection regulations, governance, resilience, and audits, amongst others.
As you embark on your new journey as the Water Director at NTT DATA, what are your primary goals?
In essence, to contribute our bit to the digitalization of the water sector. For this, I believe that our differential value is that we have a very deep understanding of the integral water cycle, as well as extensive technological knowledge. At NTT DATA, we have established an integrated knowledge structure within the company, rooted in water engineering, consulting, and emerging technologies. This grants us a distinct competitive edge as we bring together the best practices in the development of complex information systems, with a deep understanding of water management issues.
"As the 6th leading IT company globally, we adapt to the unique needs of each region, thus ensuring efficient, sustainable solutions"
Building upon strong leadership in smart metering, the company’s growth brings water quality and pressure management tools together so customers can better manage assets, achieve customer satisfaction and enhance revenue capture.
Badger Meter has been an innovator in flow measurement for more than 115 years, serving water utilities, munici-
palities, and commercial and industrial customers worldwide with an emphasis on metering, measurement, AMI and Network as a Service (NaaS). The company has recently added s::can, ATi, and Syrinix to the family, building its portfolio of smart water solutions and moving beyond the meter.
“Today's water meter is collecting far more information than just a monthly read for utilities. That level of operational data should not live in a silo within a billing department but be leveraged for much greater operational insights,” said Matt Stuyvenberg, Vice President of Software and Water Quality at Badger Meter.
With end-to-end solutions ranging from mechanical, ultrasonic and electromagnetic flow meters, to proven meter-reading technologies and powerful analytics software, intelligent measurement is at the heart of the company’s full range of water quality, distribution and analytical monitoring capabilities, bolstered by reliable communications via a cellular network.
Products include the E-Series® Ultrasonic meters for residential and commercial smart water meter applications. These meters use solid-state technology in a compact, totally encapsulated, weatherproof and UV-resistant housing, and feature an easy-to-read, 9-digit LCD display. Coupled with ORION® Cellular endpoints, which use existing cellular infrastructure to efficiently and securely transmit two-way communication of meter reading data, utility operators can access more information than ever at their fingertips. This data lives in BEACON® Software as a Service (SaaS) to provide
visibility, control and optimized information for utilities of all sizes.
When combined with information from sensors throughout the water system, the data collected provides robust pressure management, leak detection and alerts, network condition assessment and enhanced operational insights for customers.
While this data may be most valuable to utility operators, certain notifications and critical alerts can also be sent directly to consumers through the EyeOnWater® consumer engagement tool, which allows consumers to view and manage their water use in near real-time. The app also allows consumers to communicate with customer service easily from their smartphone or other connected device.
Now utility operators can also extract more insights from their network by monitoring pressure alongside their smart metering deployment.
PIPEMINDER pressure monitors use advanced pressure signature algorithms and high-frequency pressure monitoring, enabling asset and operational improvement. Innovative network calming and transient analysis tools include pressure waveform classification, event source triangulation and smart event alarms to mitigate and reduce future leaks effectively and quickly.
Badger Meter has added s::can, ATi, and Syrinix to the family, building its portfolio of smart water solutions and moving beyond the meter
Collected data is then compiled in RADAR, an intuitive platform that tracks trends over time so that utilities can prevent breaks and, ultimately, extend the life of potable distribution and wastewater collection networks. Monitors can be deployed at critical points throughout the network to provide tailored insights and moved or redeployed as needed for optimal asset monitoring. Customized alerts and insights deliver real-time information to reduce water loss and proactively calm networks.
“Future-proof strategies utilize smart technologies, enabling a shift from reactive practices to proactive solutions based on real-time data,” Stuyvenberg adds.
Today’s solutions even make it possible for distributed water quality monitoring to exist alongside metering and AMI sys-
Smart water is a journey of intelligence. The data collected needs to be viewed at the right time, in the right place, with the right data
tems for a holistic network view — no matter the size or location of the utility. Real-time, reagent-free pipe::scan and MetriNet solutions enable water quality to move out of the lab and into the critical points of the network.
For monitoring drinking water quality in pipes under pressure, pipe::scan modular sensor systems measure up to 10 parameters in one device: TOC, DOC, UV254, turbidity, colour, chlorine, pH/redox, conductivity, temperature and pressure — all without the maintenance, chemicals and bypass streams associated with traditional solutions. Water quality data can be securely sent to BEACON to be viewed alongside data transmitted from cellular endpoints in the network. Multiple pipe::scan units are the ideal solution to monitor drinking water at any point in the distribution network. In addition, the ability to interface with SCADA and other central databases via almost any protocol makes this information actionable for utilities of every size.
An even lower-power, modular system for monitoring water quality at remote locations, MetriNet offers continuous data collection from anywhere in a distribution network. To provide insights where previously thought unattainable, smart digital sensor tech-
nology is leveraged for proactive water quality management.
“While monitoring stations won’t completely replace the lab, a network of low-powered, inline, online and reagent-free solutions can be deployed in the field at critical locations, shifting to more informed decision-making and providing evidence-based proof of water safety”, Stuyvenberg adds. “Why wait for days to collect, transport, analyse and receive your results when you can see the data in real time without missing events that spot checks may have missed?”
Badger Meter has been a leader in cellular offerings for meter reading communications since launching the first ORION® Cellular endpoints in 2013. Time and time again, the company has proven through satisfied customers that cellular is an ideal solution for data backhaul in water applications.
Combining a secure connection that is available everywhere without the need for utilities to maintain their own networks or infrastructure, cellular data backhaul allows customers to scale and deploy sensor networks reliably without concerns of oversaturating collectors as with other LPWAN technologies.
“As we look to move beyond AMI into a world of intelligent measurement, reliable communications and actionable data are key”, Stuyvenberg said. “This is not data for the sake of data collection. Our solutions turn data into insights, which is where the real value is realized.”
Communication and software technologies enable users to benefit from robust digital solutions that turn data into actionable insights, leading to better outcomes and modifying the way data is collected, stored and used. This asset management data can be linked to GIS systems as well as metadata and other measurement parameters for a single view into a system. Dashboards, heat maps, custom alarms and reports can
Today’s solutions allow for distributed water quality monitoring to exist alongside metering and AMI systems for a holistic network view
further reduce time spent looking for information.
For example, a PIPEMINDER pressure monitor installed at a single point (or deployed at several key areas) in a water distribution network provides instant notification of pressure transients in a system. The source is triangulated and confirmed via historical data housed in the RADAR platform; and configurable alarms alert utility workers of the location and severity of the incident so investigation can occur. District meter flow values, collected via E-Series Ultrasonic meters and transmitted through ORION Cellular endpoints, confirm a burst pipe. This information is sent securely to operators in the field or office, where it can be viewed on the BEACON platform. Water quality monitoring devices, like pipe::scan and
MetriNet, confirm that residual chlorine and turbidity levels remain normal, so the water is safe to drink. A water utility may then send a notification via the EyeOnWater platform to homeowners in the affected area to communicate this information. Utility field crews can then repair or replace the burst pipe and ensure customer satisfaction and confidence in their utility, even in the case of a network disruption.
Right time, right place, right data
Smart water is a journey of intelligence. The data collected needs to be viewed at the right time, in the right place, and with the right data for the right population in order to be actionable and worthwhile. Likewise, tactical deployment of technology delivers the information decision-makers need today.
Badger Meter is working closer than ever before with customers and strategic partners to deliver the real value of smart water. At Badger Meter, we combine measurement, communications, data and analytics into customizable smart water solutions, which enable customers to be more efficient, effective and sustainable throughout the water ecosystem.
For more information, please visit badgermeter.com/smart-solutions.
Badger Meter is working closer than ever before with customers and strategic partners to deliver the real value of smart water
Critical water infrastructure is essential to society, life, and human health and can be threatened by electrical, mechanical, and cybernetic problems, with severe consequences for water supply. This is why investment in cutting-edge technologies to preserve and respond to these problems is increasing. At the same time, these tools also serve to achieve economic savings and turn assets into more intelligent and sustainable infrastructures.
Asset and equipment management is undergoing a significant revolution thanks to industrial digital solutions based on cloud computing, wireless intelligent sensors, and maintenance 4.0 methodologies. Whereas previously large, critical assets were monitored manually and with purely electronic technology, the new solutions enable intelligent monitoring of the entire equipment fleet at an affordable cost, enhancing asset management and maintenance. The result is seen in the increased machine and plant availability and performance, reduced unexpected breakdowns, and reduced fleet operating cost, i.e., reduced TCO.
Over the last decade, WEG has developed various Industry 4.0 solutions for
WEG Motion Fleet Management provides efficient management of critical water infrastructure, enabling water assets and equipment to be monitored and controlled, bringing them to their optimal operating point.
internal applications in its production lines and market offerings. This dual strategy has generated operational efficiency benefits and new advantages for customers in the water and industrial sectors.
As a leading equipment manufacturer with a wide range of solutions, it also enabled WEG to develop Motion Fleet Management and its product family of digital solutions, leveraging its expertise and launching a refined product to its customers worldwide. The project,
which started in 2017, featured the following developments chronologically:
J Installation of the WEG Shop Floor Management (WSFM) system at the production sites.
J Adopting the WEG Manufacturing System (WMS) methodology to reduce incidents.
J Use of Maintenance 4.0 and installation of WEG Motor Scan sensor on assets.
J The Motion Fleet Management (MFM) system provides online monitoring and asset management.
As a leading equipment manufacturer, WEG has developed Motion Fleet Management and its product family of digital solutions
Online monitoring with a cloud solution
Digital hardware (sensors and gateways) and software solutions for real-time monitoring are now offered as readyto-use solutions. Therefore, implementation time and cost are drastically reduced, and the benefits can be seen quickly. By adopting this technology, WEG’s maintenance team reduces the number of unplanned outages, optimizes repair actions, and speeds up decision-making:
J Asset management;
J Supports maintenance scheduling and actions based on the operational condition of assets;
J Assists plant operational team decisions;
J Reduction of the total cost of the asset;
J Valid for end users, workshops, or maintenance companies.
An integrated family of sensors and edge devices
A family of sensors and edge devices seamlessly integrated with the MFM allows customers to capture and handle information from any rotating equipment, such as electric motors, gearboxes, pumps, compressors, conveyor belts, etc., as well as automation equipment like VFD (variable frequency drives), Soft Starters and Smart Relays, transformers and large machines such as medium voltage motors and generators.
The MFM is one of the market’s most complete asset management systems. It allows customers to have mechanical and electrical information from all assets in the industry on the same system, intuitive and comprehensive dashboards, and a powerful vibration analysis tool where experts can plot circular waveform or
waterfall cascade graphics, apply various filters, or even ear the bearing noise. A customer configurable report system, including weekly fleet report, online alarm, and critical asset communication through WEG Digital Notify APP, are linked to functions from a CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) that allows customers to receive and handle notifications from the MFM and a mobile phone.
WEG’s maintenance team reduces the number of unplanned outages, optimizes repair actions, and speeds up decision making
The recently launched WEGscan 100, a vibration, temperature, and magnetic field sensor, was granted two patented technologies. WEGsense integrates hardware characteristics with the Artificial Intelligence Advance Algorithm to detect early bearing lubrication problems. At the same time, WEGsync allows the MFM to obtain synchronized vibration measurements from up to seven sensors, allowing for phase analysis and ODS (Operating Deflection Shape).
Another critical development of WEG
Motion Fleet Management was to incorporate the knowledge gained by the company over 60 years of manufacturing electrical and mechanical equipment into a module that provides the system user with a comprehensive fleet report that includes the results of Artificial Intelligence data analysis, significant for users
who do not have dedicated equipment for asset condition analysis.
Specialized modules are available for electric motors, low and medium-voltage variable frequency drives, soft starters, and gearboxes/gear motors. The technical modules apply artificial intelligence and machine learning to diagnose the current operational status of equipment and provide intelligent, easy-to-understand results to the system user. The Motor Specialist module, for example, uses magnetic field measurements to infer motor power consumption and three-axis vibration data to indicate early analysis of bearing failures and vibrations due to motor imbalance or misalignment, external vibrations, or other unknown faults.
The Specialist module applies algorithms designed by WEG for advanced data analysis using Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence. These algorithms are applied to the data collected by WEG Scans and thus generate helpful information essential for efficient fleet management. Such is the case of WEG Motor Specialist, which has a sub-module for diagnosing mechanical faults and another for evaluating engine energy consumption. Both functionalities have been developed by
WEG’s team of experts and validated in the company’s laboratories.
These advanced analysis algorithms observe and learn the operating patterns and deviations of the monitored equipment, generating, for example, fault indicators for unbalance, misalignment, rolling (advanced fault), or external vibration. This information benefits operation and maintenance personnel as it aids decision-making, speeds up the repair process, and minimizes unscheduled downtime.
WEG Motion Fleet Management enables data to be exchanged between MFM and
Motion Fleet Management allows customers to have mechanical and electrical information from all assets in the industry on the same system
WEG Motor Specialist has a sub-module for diagnosing mechanical faults and another for evaluating engine energy consumption
third-party systems or platforms, storing data in the customer’s database, integrating with third-party systems and applications, and customer-specific subscription plans.
Through regular and automatic Web Service REST-like data requests, data from WEG Motion Fleet Management is sent to the customer’s system or third parties and can, therefore, be integrated into the customer’s maintenance management software, SCADA or DCS, or any other production monitoring system they may have.
WEG Motion Fleet Management currently has hundreds of monitored assets, providing accurate maintenance infor-
mation based on the asset’s operational status, which is essential for predictive maintenance.
The MFM monitors’ main assets are motors, variable frequency drives, soft starters, gearboxes, motors, compressors, pumps, and fans.
One of the applications of MFM in the water sector can be in pumping systems. By including a WEGscan sensor in the motor or drive that feeds the membrane filtration, ultrafiltration, or reverse osmosis system, for example, we can find
out the production optimization margins, allowing us to extend its operating life and reduce electricity consumption and optimize the economic performance of the manager.
On the other hand, it is standard for water plants to have oversized motors, pumps, or process equipment. This implies a higher cost in CAPEX and OPEX simply because the rotating equipment is not at its real design point in operation. WEG’s specialized sensors show how much it consumes and where it is on the duty and performance curves. If, in any of these cases, we observe that the rotating equipment, pump, blower, agitator, or compressor is continuously working at low load, with the MFM system, we can draw valuable conclusions for future plant designs where the equipment will be optimized from the beginning of the operation. In this way, we will save on investment costs, operation and power consumption, and maintenance costs.
The MFM solution can help to integrate into these systems in a much easier and more competitive way. This tool is intended to support not only the maintenance, vibration analysis, bearing problems, misalignment, or consumption that we have already mentioned but also to serve as a source of information to optimize plant operation in the process operation/maintenance balance and also to provide feedback for future engineering designs and project conception.
In general, WEG Motion Fleet Management provides much more efficient management of critical water infrastructure, enabling water assets and equipment to be monitored and controlled, bringing them to their optimal operating point, and avoiding unscheduled shutdowns, resulting in savings, improved manufacturing, and supply outages to end users.
At WEG, we work daily to develop more efficient and sustainable infrastructures, considering the water supply’s value for the population and the daily work of plant operation and maintenance teams.
As the global population continues to grow and urbanize, water scarcity and outdated water management systems pose significant challenges to water management operators. However, thanks to the marvels of modern technology, a trailblazing solution has emerged: Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled smart water management. By harnessing the power of compact, battery-efficient IoT sensors and devices, operators can revolutionize their approach to water management, optimizing usage and reducing waste altogether.
Water management systems have historically relied on conventional methods which fall short when it comes to providing real-time insights and predictive capabilities. But with the rise of IoT, water operators now enjoy access to a veritable cornucopia of data collected from sensors and devices deployed across their infrastructure, signalling the dawn of a new era in water management.
Consider the case of WaterSignal, a pioneering water conservation company in the state of Georgia that is utilizing IoT technology to monitor water usage and detect leaks in real-time. By deploying IoT sensors and devices in various locations such as cooling towers, residential areas and commercial buildings, WaterSignal gathers invaluable data on water flow, quality and other critical parameters. This data is transmitted wirelessly to a central system, where it is then aggregated and analysed.
By examining data from multiple sources, water management operators gain a comprehensive view of their infrastructure. WaterSignal's customized dashboard, for instance, enables users to compare the make-up water that enters cooling towers with the blow-down water that returns to sewers — aggregated data that delivers insights into water consumption patterns, identifies areas of high usage and allows for the swift detection leaks, inefficient distribution and other abnormalities. With these data-driven insights in their toolbelts, operators can adopt proactive strategies that optimize water usage and minimize waste.
The utilization of IoT sensors and devices also facilitates predictive analytics. That is, by analysing historical data and adding advanced machine-learning algorithms to the mix, operators can identify patterns and trends that serve as early indicators of potential system failures or leaks. For example, WaterSignal's real-time analytics and leak detection system equips operational teams with instrumental insights and metrics to optimize water usage and mitigate loss. Operators taking preemptive action based on these predictions can reduce both economic and environmental impacts of water management challenges.
IoT devices used in water management systems must be compact and battery-efficient to ensure seamless data collection and analysis. WaterSignal's non-invasive solution is just that, able to be effortlessly attached to existing water meters, which eliminates the need for expensive and disruptive installations. Powered by long-lasting batteries and communicating via LPWA cellular technology, these tiny devices permit continuous and reliable monitoring and data transmission, even in hard-to-reach locations or areas without Wi-Fi connectivity.
WaterSignal vividly demonstrates the extraordinary potential of IoT-enabled smart water management systems. Aggregating data from IoT sensors and devices, operators can optimize water usage, reduce losses and enhance overall system efficiency. The predictive analytics derived from historical data embolden operators to take preemptive action, reducing risks and ensuring effective water resource management.
As water scarcity escalates and urbanization continues, it is imperative that IoT-enabled water management solutions gain more widespread adoption, especially if the end goal is a sustainable and resilient future. By leveraging the power of IoT, water management operators can complete the transition into an era of informed decision-making, ensuring efficient water usage and safeguarding the resource for generations to come.
IoT devices used in water management systems must be compact and batteryefficient to ensure seamless data collection and analysis
Demand for efficient and data-driven utility management continues to grow and LoRaWAN, a low-power, wide-area networking protocol designed for low bit rate data communication, has emerged as a leading technology for advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). In fact, according to a recent report, the market valuation for LoRaWAN smart gas & water metering applications will cross $10B by 2032, led by the growing need for automation in the sector. However, as with any rising star, competitive FUD circulates, intended to obscure a technology’s true potential. In this article, we dispel three common myths surrounding LoRaWAN’s use in smart metering and discuss its value as a driving force behind the future of AMI and water management.
Some claim LoRaWAN networks lack the security needed for critical utility infrastructure like AMI. The truth is its security implementation is robust and sophisticated. The security mechanisms inherent in the protocol are based on widely accepted National Institute of Standards and Technology approved Advanced Encryption Standards (AES) cryptographic algorithms, making LoRaWAN suitable for critical infrastructure and essential business applications. Additional layers of security such as MTE (MicroToken Exchange) and MKE (Managed Key Encryption) are available through proven integrations if desired.
Another misconception revolves around interference within the unlicensed band, promoted to cause doubts about LoRaWAN's effectiveness. LoRaWAN, however, is architected with extreme multipath capabilities, where end-device transmissions are demodulated by all gateways in range (not just one, as with other technologies) – avoiding local transient interference. Dynamic interference avoidance abilities allow channel plans to be config-
ured dynamically to avoid local bands of interference using information from the network. The ISM Band, where LoRaWAN operates, isn't a free-for-all zone; it’s regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to ensure the harmonious coexistence of various devices. Every transmitter must undergo stringent testing and certification before reaching the market. The FCC vigilantly monitors violations, underscoring that unlicensed doesn't translate to unregulated for LoRaWAN.
Contrary to assumptions that LoRaWAN networks are prone to saturation, reality paints a different picture. LoRaWAN AMI networks are methodically engineered for high capacity and superior performance. Even with conservative modelling, a single LoRaWAN gateway can support hundreds of thousands of meter endpoints, representing a small fraction of the total network capacity of a network built for AMI. Additionally, the Adaptive Data Rate (ADR) feature of LoRaWAN optimizes data rates based on real-time conditions. This not only enhances interference immunity, but translates into shorter airtime and improved battery performance, debunking the myth of poor capacity and low performance that lingered around LoRaWAN.
Over the past decade, several cycles of technology innovation and adoption have taken place throughout the utilities market aimed at modernizing critical infrastructure and improving service delivery. To date, benefits have been most evident where AMI is being deployed, with untapped value being driven by newer network technologies – like LoRaWAN - and a variety of low-cost network-connected sensors.
In the face of this technology evolution, legacy water solution providers are struggling to hold on to market share and are sharing myths about competing technologies like LoRaWAN. The clear and proven attributes of LoRaWAN however, merit serious consideration for AMI implementations.
Benefits have been most evident where AMI is being deployed, with untapped value being driven by newer network technologies, like LoRaWANVP OF MARKETING AT SENET KEN LYNCH
DATAKORUM offers a comprehensive IoT solution for the conscious and efficient management of water resources in the 21st century.
Undoubtedly, digitization has become an essential pillar in our contemporary society, particularly in the efficient and precise real-time management of resources. In this landscape of constant evolution, "feeling the water" becomes crucial. By digitizing water infrastructure, which is vital for our survival, we become more closely connected to this resource, perceiving its needs and responding to the challenges and demands of the 21st century.
To this end, we have created a universal and comprehensive IoT solution that allows for the digitization of the entire water infrastructure without the need to alter or replace existing devices. With this innovation, it is now possible to "feel" the water, understand its flow and needs, and manage it more consciously and efficiently.
This end-to-end solution from DATAKORUM enables connectivity, data collection, analysis, and visualization of data from the entire water infrastructure, from the main network to household meters. Its modular architecture is composed of three fundamental pillars. First, our own IoT hardware, the robust and secure PIPE series gateways for data acquisition and transmission.
Second, the TRANGO middleware, which serves as the device management interface, receiving, organizing, and standardizing data for proper interpretation. And the last pillar, BALTORO, our cloud platform for global infrastructure management, which processes and visualizes data intuitively and accessibly.
But what concrete benefits does our universal solution bring for the digitization of water infrastructure? Primarily, three fundamental advantages stand out:
J Flexibility and universal compatibility
Our system allows for remote reading of meters from any brand and using any communication protocol.
J Secure communications
The NB-IoT and LTE-M communication system benefits from high security, penetration capacity, and the speed of existing 5G cellular networks.
J Rapid implementation speed
Since it doesn't require the replacement of existing meters, our system can be implemented quickly, without construction or interruptions in water supply.
End-to-end universal solution
Our solution is meticulously designed to address any need for data acquisition, transmission, and visualization in water infrastructure. The latest generation PIPE 5G gateways offer NBIoT and LTE-M connectivity, making them perfect for IoT solutions due to their coverage, long range, high penetration capability, and very low energy consumption. They are compatible with any water meter regardless of the manufacturer and support a wide range of communication protocols. They take
real-time readings every fifteen minutes and send data every hour for battery-powered models, and fifteen-minutes readings and transmissions for models connected to electrical power.
At the core of the excellence of PIPE 5G gateways is their multiprotocol design, which makes them truly universal by supporting the main water meter protocols in the industry, such as PULSES, MODBUS, M-BUS, WIRELESS M-BUS, and SEVERN TRENT. Additionally, they efficiently communicate with sensors and actuators using the 420mA protocol, ensuring great compatibility and interactivity.
The range of PIPE 5G gateways offers a variety of models that meet different requirements, allowing managers to find the one that best suits their specific situations. There are models designed to obtain readings from a single meter, ideal for main networks, industries, or single-family homes. On the other hand, there are also models that allow simultaneous reading of multiple meters in buildings, whether connected in series via cable or in a wireless system. Furthermore, for more specific cases like villas, we've designed a model that can simultaneously read water and electricity meters.
During the deployment phase, efficiency is essential to save costs due to errors in the installation process. That's why we offer the BASE CAMP application, a valuable tool that, once the gateway is installed and connected, performs performance, security, and communication tests, ensuring that the installation has been successful and the data is correctly transmitted to TRANGO, our middleware.
DATAKORUM has created a universal and comprehensive IoT solution that allows for the digitization of the entire water infrastructure
The TRANGO middleware, based in the cloud or installed on the client's server (On-Premise), plays a crucial role in ensuring the proper commissioning, configuration, and monitoring of DATAKORUM gateways, as well as performing remote firmware updates (FOTA). It also enables quick integration with third-party AMI / HES platforms through standard protocols like RESTAPI or MQTT.
In response to the growing demand for digital solutions among small water management companies, we have developed the BALTORO platform. This platform offers a progressive and affordable path to digitization for those companies that do not yet have a remote
management system for their infrastructure. BALTORO, due to its scalable and intuitive design, allows these companies to gain a clear understanding of patterns and trends in water consumption. This valuable information enables managers to proactively respond to incidents and facilitates making informed decisions based on real-time and updated data, such as detecting possible leaks, optimizing services, and ultimately improving overall efficiency.
Security and proper data management are critical elements in today's digitalization landscape. In this regard, our solution for water infrastructure digitization goes be-
yond offering an efficient and cost-effective product; it also incorporates the highest levels of cybersecurity and end-to-end encrypted communications.
To start, data transmission security is reinforced through the use of existing and robust 5G communication networks (NB-IoT and LTE-M). These
Flexibility and compatibility: our system allows for remote reading of meters from any brand and using any communication protocolBALTORO infrastructure management platform by Datakorum
networks provide SIM-based authentication and high-level encryption, and they are widely recognized for their security and reliability, ensuring that data collection is protected against potential threats and cyber attacks.
Furthermore, our middleware plays an essential role in secure and intelligent data management. TRANGO is responsible for receiving data from all gateways through secure connections, with the same frequency and simultaneously, to structure them uniformly and coherently before sending them to the management platform, also through secure protocols.
In a rapidly changing digital world, the ability to adapt quickly to new needs becomes an indispensable attribute. Our solution is designed with this flexibility in mind, making it easy to implement quickly and ensuring that service is not disrupted.
Replacing existing meters with new ones equipped with embedded communications poses a series of logistical and technical challenges. On one hand, excavations or structural modifications might be necessary to accommodate the new meters, which could significantly disrupt the environment and incur substantial costs. Additionally, this could carry the risk of damaging other parts of the infrastructure during the process.
In contrast, installing DATAKORUM's PIPE gateways on existing meters is a clean and quick "Plug & Play" process, regardless of the manufacturer and communication protocol they use, without altering the infrastructure. This approach avoids supply interruptions and the inconveniences that such disruptions would cause to users.
Preserving the existing infrastructure also means maximizing the lifespan of the current meters. Despite lacking integrated remote communication capabil-
The NB-IoT and LTE-M communication system benefits from high security, penetration capacity, and the speed of existing 5G cellular networks
ities, these meters remain accurate and fully functional. Connecting a communication gateway allows them to remain useful, extending their lifespan and avoiding the waste and additional costs associated with premature replacement.
Digital transformation is a continuous journey, and infrastructure requires strategies that allow the incorporation of new technologies without affecting essential services and deployed assets. Looking ahead, it will be much more cost-effective to replace a gateway when a new communication technology with greater capacity and features emerges, compared to replacing a meter with embedded communications.
In 2022, DATAKORUM was selected to lead one of the most prominent Internet of Things (IoT) projects in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) region. The goal was to provide connectivity to the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) systems of water and energy supply companies, including TAQA, Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC), and Al Ain Distribution Company (AADC).
The challenge we faced was significant; our gateways had to collect data from thousands of water and electricity meters situated in an infrastructure that housed 70 different meter models from 35 manufacturers, all utilizing diverse communication protocols.
This year will see the completion of the installation of 80,000 DATAKORUM 5G gateways, providing communication
for over 120,000 meters. ADDC is already substantially reducing the amount of unbilled water and energy, resulting in increased efficiency in measuring and managing both resources, as well as maximizing asset lifespan. Furthermore, customer service quality has improved by providing detailed and up-to-date information about their water and electricity consumption.
Since it doesn't require replacing existing meters, our system can be implemented quickly, without construction or supply interruptionsAbu Dhabi City VP VELOCITY XDR, SYGNIA.
tional cyber strategies positioned me well to publish this report.
In my current position, I’m leading Sygnia’s (one of the leading IR companies worldwide) Velocity XDR platform, helping our clients to be prepared against cyber-attacks.
Digitalisation of water infrastructure improves efficiency, but also increases exposure to cyber risks. Cyberattacks are expected to escalate in frequency, volume, and sophistication, while low awareness and investment result in increased vulnerability of water utilities.
To learn more about the water and wastewater infrastructure cybersecurity trends and readiness in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), Source of Innovation, an alliance of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Group with external partners, developed the study Protecting Water and Sanitation Infrastructure from Cyberthreats: A Cybersecurity Study for Latin America and the Caribbean. The study author is Yanir Laubshtein, VP of Velocity XDR at Sygnia, one of the leading incident response companies worldwide. In this interview, he discusses the study’s main findings on cybersecurity in the water and sanitation sector in LAC.
Please tell us briefly about your career path and how you became involved in the study Protecting Water and
Sanitation Infrastructure from Cyberthreats: A Cybersecurity Study for Latin America and the Caribbean.
I have more than 20 years of experience working in cybersecurity, with a focus on critical infrastructure and industrial control systems. I started my career in the Israeli Intelligence Corps, where I specialized in cyber operations. I went on to serve as Head of Cyber Security Operations at Israel’s Ministry of National Infrastructure, Energy & Water Resources, and later worked as a senior consultant on cybersecurity for water & wastewater utilities and desalination plants under the Israel Water Authority.
My extensive experience securing water infrastructure in Israel led me to become increasingly involved with efforts to improve cybersecurity in the water sector internationally. I served as Director of ICS/OT Cybersecurity at PwC Global Centre of Excellence, advising utilities globally. When the opportunity arose to collaborate on this cybersecurity study for Latin America and the Caribbean, I gladly took the opportunity to lend my expertise to help secure water systems in this critical region. My indepth knowledge of water sector cyber risks and experience implementing na-
What are some of the unique vulnerabilities and risks associated with cyber threats in the water and sanitation sector? Do these vulnerabilities differ from those in other sectors?
The water sector faces unique cyber risks due to the nature of water systems and the criticality of uninterrupted service.
A key vulnerability is the increasing use of industrial control systems (ICS) to remotely monitor and control processes like water treatment and distribution. These ICS use older legacy devices and proprietary protocols that are inherently insecure. They were designed to be isolated, not connected to IT networks. Once connected, they become exposed.
Another critical difference is the potential public health impact of a successful cyberattack. Disrupting drinking water or sewage treatment could quickly endanger public health in ways that distinguish this sector. Environmental contamination is another unique concern.
Unlike some sectors that can withstand brief outages, continuous operability and immediate incident response are crucial for water. Any disruption must be addressed ASAP before services and quality are impacted. The lack of redundancy in water systems also increases vulnerability.
There are also distribution challenges, with huge, dispersed networks of often aging infrastructure spanning vast geographic areas. Securing every access point
“Organizationally, a mindset shift is required to see cyber risks as operational risks rather than just IT problems”
"The water sector faces unique cyber risks due to the nature of water systems and the criticality of uninterrupted service"
is difficult. Advanced metering deployments must also be secured.
In addition to all the above, the digital transformation that the sector is undergoing or planned to go through, which involves integrating advanced technologies like IoT sensors and SCADA systems, can increase vulnerability to cyberattacks in several ways as described in the research.
So, in summary, legacy ICS systems, public health risks, lack of redundancy, geographic scale, and a mandate for continuous reliable service create distinct cyber challenges for water utilities.
The report foresees that cyberattacks will escalate in frequency, volume, and sophistication. To what extent is this already a reality in the water sector, and do you think there is a lack of awareness about these threats? We are already seeing cyberattacks increasing against water utilities worldwide, but I do believe there is still a dangerous lack of awareness and urgency around these threats in the sector.
In the US, cyber intrusions have been detected against several water treatment plants over the past few years. Ransomware is also increasingly impacting municipal water systems - there were over 50 publicly reported incidents against US water facilities in 2021 alone.
While awareness is growing, especially after events like the Oldsmar water plant hack, many utilities still severely underestimate the cyber risks. The technology is often not seen as vulnerable, and attack motivations are not understood. Complacency persists, especially at smaller utilities with limited IT/OT resources. There is much more focus on physical threats.
The lack of strong regulations, oversight, and information sharing on cyber threats contributes to this gap. Utilities often rely on generic IT cybersecurity or vendor guidance lacking sector-specific context. More work must be done
to demonstrate the range of motivations, from financial crime to terrorism, and that these threats are both real and escalating. Messages must resonate locally to spur action.
According to the report, most countries in LAC have just started formulating some cybersecurity initiatives involving their critical infrastructure, with some of these strategies already in place. Which findings would you highlight, and did any of them surprise you?
The report’s findings on the nascent state of cybersecurity for critical infrastructure in Latin America and the Caribbean unfortunately did not come as a surprise to me.
A few key points stand out:
J Only 7 out of 32 countries have critical infrastructure protection plans in
place. This lack of formal strategy is a significant gap.
J Most countries are still at an “initial” or “formative” stage of cybersecurity maturity. While efforts are underway, they remain incomplete and disorganized.
J There is a lack of incentives for public-private cooperation on cybersecurity, which is essential for properly securing privatized critical services like water.
J Regional collaboration on cybersecurity has been slow to emerge, though organizations like the OAS and IDB are driving improvements.
While these findings are not shocking given the complexity of the challenge, the pace of improvement must accelerate. The threats are escalating faster than defences. A lack of robust governance processes and insufficient technical capabilities present major risks for critical national infrastructure if not urgently
addressed. Stronger regulations, funding mechanisms, and international cooperation are needed.
The report also calls for prioritizing and integrating cybersecurity in corporate management and culture. What are the barriers to achieving this, and how can they be overcome?
Achieving true cybersecurity prioritization and integration into organizational culture faces both technical and human challenges.
On the technical side, OT/ICS environments require different tools, controls, and expertise than corporate IT networks. Converging these will take time and investment in skills. Outdated devices lacking security features must also be upgraded.
Organizationally, a mindset shift is required to see cyber risks as operational risks rather than just IT problems. Boards and executives must own and communicate cyber priorities. Competing needs can sideline security. Close coordination is essential between IT, OT/ ICS, physical security, and business continuity teams.
Overcoming these barriers starts with leadership setting the vision and tone. Mandating specialized cyber training and bringing in outside expertise help upskill teams. Assessing cyber risks in business terms and simulating incidents make the need real. Integrating cyber into operational metrics and processes embeds security. Significant change takes resources and time, but cultural integration is key for meaningful risk reduction.
How important is considering connections and dependencies between infrastructures within the water and sanitation sector and beyond in cyber protection strategies, and how should they be managed?
Understanding infrastructure interdependencies is hugely important for cyber protection as our systems do not operate in isolation, (although the common misconception of “air gaped”)
Within the water sector, connections between treatment, distribution, and wastewater systems create cyber risks that can cascade. For example, a remote terminal unit managing a pumping station could be compromised and allow an attacker to also access downstream treatment systems.
Connections to other critical infrastructures like electricity, transportation and telecoms are also introducing risks if not well secured. Water utilities depend on power for operations, on roads for deliveries, and networks for monitoring. Outages in one can impact others.
Managing this requires several steps:
J Comprehensively mapping infrastructure and cyber connections (interfaces) between internal systems and external entities.
J Performing risk assessments of single points of failure that could have outsized impacts.
J Building in redundancy and network segmentation where feasible.
J Implementing dedicated monitoring, detection and investigation capabilities that will cover both IT & OT infrastructure, providing holistic visibility and rapid response.
J Developing coordinated response plans and communication protocols to address multi-system cyber incidents or outages.
J Fostering closer public-private collaboration on shared cyber risks. Taking a “systems of systems” approach strengthens resiliency versus addressing sectors in isolation. Cyber planning must consider the cascade effects.
Cybercrime in LAC is defined by regional development fragilities, while water infrastructure that are not digitalised are isolated from many cyber risks. How do the findings for this region compare with the situation in other regions of the world?
The cybersecurity challenges facing Latin America and the Caribbean reflect the region’s unique development trajectory and socioeconomic landscape. Several factors distinguish LAC from other parts of the world. As highlighted in the report, high digital penetration combined with lagging cyber governance and law enforcement has created an environment ripe for cybercrime. This distinguishes LAC from less digitized regions.
However, the largely outdated nature of water infrastructure limits risks. In contrast, sectors in Europe and North America are exposing systems to more threats as they modernize. In addition, institutional instability and lack of resources for cybersecurity in parts of LAC are less acute issues in regions like the Asia Pacific and the Middle East. Finally, the concentration of attacks on major economies like Mexico, Brazil and Colombia differs from more dispersed threats in areas like sub-Saharan Africa.
So while cyber crime predominates across higher income regions, LAC’s profile is unique. The remaining technology gaps create a paradox - limiting immediate risk but also slowing needed progress on cybersecurity. Stronger regional cooperation and public-private partnerships can help overcome some of these challenges. But improving fundamentals like governance, law enforcement training and infrastructure investment remain critical for LAC to close cyber maturity gaps with other parts of the world.
The responsibility for protecting critical infrastructure is in the hands of both public and private actors, both involved as owners and operators. What should be the role of each of them?
"We are seeing cyberattacks increasing against water utilities worldwide, but there is a lack of awareness and urgency around these threats"
Both the public and private sectors play vital and complementary roles in securing critical infrastructure like water systems. The public sector is responsible for establishing national cybersecurity strategies and policies, designating critical systems, enacting regulations, funding cyber initiatives, and coordinating incident response. Governments must take a system-wide, “macro” view.
Private owners and operators provide the on-the-ground “micro” view into the nuances of operational environments, connected systems, and cyber risks. Their role includes hardening the defences of facilities, adhering to regulations, reporting cyber incidents, participating in industry groups to share threat intelligence, and collaborating with public agencies.
Effective partnerships between the two are crucial. Governments rely on owner/ operators’ cyber situational awareness and security investments for national resilience. Private companies depend on robust public policy to mandate security and support preparedness through funding, technology, and response capabilities. Alignment and open communication between public oversight and private implementation close capability gaps.
To enhance public-private cooperation, I recommend jointly developing cyber standards and best practices, im-
proving threat data sharing, and establishing councils with both stakeholders for continuous dialogue on improving security programs.
Two national models of how governments can protect critical infrastructure from cyber threats, the Israeli and the UK model, are presented; what are the strengths of each and how might they be adapted elsewhere in the world?
The Israeli and UK models offer somewhat distinct approaches with unique strengths that could inform other nations’ critical infrastructure cybersecurity.
Israel’s model emphasizes centralized oversight and regulation coupled with
close public-private sector cooperation. Key strengths include clear guidelines mandating cyber requirements for sectors like water based on risk profiles, which drives action; proactive security reviews and joint exercises with infrastructure operators to validate preparedness; and rapid threat information sharing and coordinated responses to incidents, which speeds reaction.
The UK approach promotes broader cybersecurity ecosystem development and resilience, establishing centres of expertise like the NCSC to lead strategy and incident response. It involves detailed sector-specific strategies like the water cybersecurity guidance, significant funding for cyber skills development and public awareness, and international collaboration to identify threats and shape norms.
Elements of both models could be blended based on a nation’s governance model and cyber maturity. The UK’s systemic capacity building can complement Israel’s hands-on regulatory approach. Joint public-private cyber wargaming, Israel’s utilization of cyber regulations, and the UK’s public outreach provide examples for adoption globally. Every country has unique risks and resources, but these cases offer tested methods to secure critical systems.
Regional collaboration on cybersecurity has been slow to emerge in LAC, though organizations like the OAS and IDB
Minsait supports water companies as they face the challenge of digital transformation and the modernization of the sector through the use of real-time information.
Effective water resources management is a critical global challenge in the face of population growth, climate change, urbanization, and industrial and agri-food activities. To address this complex issue, the water
sector is increasingly recognizing the critical role of real-time information in facilitating sustainable water management practices.
Real-time information refers to data collected and transmitted instantly, al-
lowing decision-makers to access up-todate information on water availability, quality and use patterns.
This information is essential for a variety of stakeholders, including policymakers, water utilities, agricultural industries, environmental agencies, and the general public.
The value of real-time data has an effect on improved decision-making, efficient water resource management and environmental protection, as well as public participation and awareness.
To achieve an efficient digital environment, several essential aspects related to asset intelligence must be addressed, such as the use of sensors and the Internet of Things (IoT), data storage & management, and data analytics.
Minsait, Indra’s leading company in digital transformation and information technologies, develops projects in different sectors, with more than 20 years of experience in the water sector. These solutions cover the entire process, from da-
ta collection in the field to data analysis from different perspectives, including the transmission, organization, storage, analysis and utilisation of the information.
Sensors and IoT
Connectivity between assets, people and businesses is growing exponentially, and the IoT strategy will be increasingly relevant to avoid the congestion and vulnerability of systems. Beyond the digital transformation, IoT growth is driven by the need to optimize costs and increase efficiency, as well as develop new use cases, improve processes and increase process quality and flexibility.
Among the main advantages are fewer maintenance trips, optimized asset operations, reduced CO2 emissions, as well as increased productivity, flexibility, quality and speed of operations. IoT allows us to address the challenges of our customers with disruptive, dynamic and scalable solutions that adapt to their growth needs and to the creation of new business models, sharing information with citizens in a public water management model that is sustainable.
The main objective of an IoT ecosystem for the water sector is the acquisition, processing and provision of good quality data – such as data on water flow and quality, pressure, leaks, asset status (pumps, valves, tanks, etc.) – through a flexible and scalable architecture, but also the comprehensive management and governance of all the devices deployed to equip the physical world with sensors, regardless of their origin, as well as their communications (deployment of distributed computing on any type of asset in the water abstraction, treatment or distribution network, among other functions).
Minsait has developed Onesait Edge, a different IoT platform proposal that brings together multiple capabilities, accelerators and frameworks that allow us to develop value-added use cases for multiple industries, and especially for the water sector.
The acquisition and structuring of real-time process information is essential for the digitalisation of the water sector. One of the areas that will benefit most from the acquisition of real-time information is the monitoring and management of drinking water distribution networks. This wealth of information must be structured in a way that facilitates subsequent use and analysis, as well as having data available for use in other solutions.
Minsait has developed Onesait Assets Engine, an open, scalable and secure asset data management platform designed to meet the needs of customers in various industrial sectors. Assets Engine enables the integration of information from any area of the business, with the capacity to connect with different and heterogeneous sources of information.
Its three fundamental components are firstly inventory management, flexible and comprehensive, capable of including any type of asset, taking into account existing relationships; secondly, IoT device management, ensuring secure and optimal transmission of information; and thirdly, monitoring with information visualization capabilities, using management dashboards and reports.
Real-time information management tools are the foundation on which to develop an effective digitalisation strategy. Having the infrastructure in place to capture and store operational information in a cross-cutting and transparent manner is the only way to enable data-driven decision-making
The water sector is increasingly recognizing the critical role of real-time information in facilitating sustainable practices
and foster a business culture geared towards efficiency and continuous improvement.
Once the data have been obtained and consolidated, asset management appli-
cations are responsible for extracting the operational value they contain, usually considering them from different perspectives. At this point, the type of analysis to be performed can be divided into two categories: ad hoc analytics (designed and implemented specifical-
ly in each case) or systematic analytics integrated into the production processes, which consists of applying techniques to certain common cases that are cross-cutting in scope.
A typical example of the second point is the family of solutions grouped under the name APM (asset performance management). The APM solution developed by Minsait, Onesait Assets APM, consists of three main modules: APM Predictive, with the use of AI (machine learning) algorithms for the early detection of anomalous operating conditions; APM Performance, with analyses aimed at the energy efficiency of assets or systems; and APM Asset Health, aimed at optimizing maintenance processes based on asset health and risk indicators.
Each of the above modules generates results that are used specifically in operation & maintenance (O&M) processes, thus resulting in a positive impact on the bottom line.
The value of real-time data has an effect on improved decision making, efficient water resource management and environmental protection
The use of these tools is very simple and within the reach of any employee involved in O&M. The complexity of the numerical methods is not apparent in the use of the solution.
The solutions of the APM family have proven their effectiveness in different sectors and many companies have integrated them into their operational processes in a very satisfactory way.
Another type of analytical solution is the digital twin, increasingly applied in asset management. A digital twin combines process data with a process model to generate virtual sensors, detect anomalies or optimize the operation of a system. The possibilities associated with digital twins are well understood when you consider that a company’s assets are typically optimized individually by design.
But what happens when multiple assets are connected in a given system? It is quite possible that the overall system
optimum does not match the individual asset optima, so the digital twin becomes a great help in finding it.
Digital twin projects involve a series of capabilities related to asset intelligence (sensors, IoT, information management, modelling) that Minsait has in its portfolio of solutions.
There is significant potential for improvement in the digitalisation of production process information in water companies, but we must be aware that data use involves a complex value chain that goes from the asset to decision-making. For maximum effectiveness, it is essential to address the problem as a whole, enabling the present use cases without compromising the new possibilities that will come in the future.
It is important to note that the availability of solutions through a SaaS (software as a service) model facilitates the
democratization of their use, as it avoids investments in infrastructure and provides scalability that allows projects to be approached gradually, thereby limiting risk.
Examples of the specific impact of digital solutions on business results include reductions of around 5% in energy consumption (with a subsequent benefit for CO2 emissions), lower maintenance costs of physical assets by 15% (due to the reduction of failures associated with predictive monitoring) and a reduction in the maintenance of digital assets of approximately 45%.
These solutions cover the entire process, from data collection in the field to data analysis from different perspectives
crosimulation model of the U.S. economy. The project, started by a visionary nuclear physicist, with only four people including me, continues to thrive today.
After the defence lab, I worked at AT&T, before spending more than 20 years at Dun & Bradstreet building their analytics business. For the last four years of my tenure at Dun & Bradstreet, I was the Chief Analytics Officer.
GHD Digital recently celebrated 5 years. What is your assessment of this time?
Generative AI has the potential to transform the global economy, with huge potential for innovation and progress and a global market that GHD Digital estimates can reach USD 1.5 trillion in revenue by 2033.
Five years ago GHD embarked on a journey to address digital disruption in the AEC industry with the creation of GHD Digital, currently a globally recognized digital agency. Recognising that advancements in AI will lead to radical changes across industries, GHD Digital recently released a new report titled Beyond AI: Generative AI and the next wave of disruption, exploring the potential of generative AI across sectors. We had the opportunity to ask Nipa Basu, GHD Digital Global Practice Director - Digital Intelligence, about the report’s highlights and the applications of generative AI in the water industry.
Please tell us briefly about your career path and your current role at GHD Digital.
I am a global digital transformation leader helping clients transform their businesses through data analytics and artificial
intelligence solutions. I lead the global Digital Intelligence team for GHD Digital. My team’s expertise and contribution covers data and digital strategy, data collection, data management, drawing insights from data, especially spatial data, predictive-prescriptive analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI). My team collaborates with GHD engineers on projects that lead to positive improvements and outcomes across the areas of water, energy and communities. Examples of projects include the remediation of contaminated lands, reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, removal of lead pipes from households in underprivileged communities, solving clean drinking water scarcity problems, enhancement of traffic safety, etc.
I have a Ph.D. in Economics (Public Finance) from SUNY (State University of New York) Albany. My first professional job was as an economist in the Legislative Tax Study Commission for NY State.
My involvement in data science and artificial intelligence - this converging digital space between analytics and technology - started a long time ago when I worked for a defence lab in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I worked on the very first version of an artificial agent-based mi-
GHD Digital has accomplished a lot in the last five years. In 2018, GHD embarked on a journey to address digital disruption in the $300 billion AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) industry. Our mission was to create a startup - GHD Digital – within a long-established company to assist our clients and our own company with handling digital disruption.
Today, GHD Digital is a globally recognized digital agency with over 600 employees across nine countries and 86 offices. We serve Fortune 500 companies, major utilities, large government agencies and leading organizations across the world. We have created new capabilities in data science, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, automation, products and platforms, and many new areas while modernizing some of our traditional businesses like data management and location intelligence.
The story of GHD and GHD Digital for the last five years is a story of boldness, resilience and disruptive thinking. This was made possible with the fantastic collaboration between established engineering specialities within GHD and the new Digital components.
I consider myself incredibly lucky to be part of GHD Digital’s recently celebrated five years. I had already spent a lifetime in a well-known data analytics company before I joined GHD Digital four years ago. I had a lucrative career, a great data science team, excellent clients,
“The opportunities for using AI to lead to a sustainable future are huge”
"In 2018, GHD embarked on a journey to address digital disruption in the $300 billion Architecture, Engineering, and Construction industry"
and great leaders/mentors, but there was one thing missing. Data science and artificial intelligence were reaching incredible heights and I often wondered whether my skills could be used to create more “good for the society”.
I took a bit of a gamble in joining a company and an industry (AEC) that I knew little about. It took some time and lots of struggle to understand the applications of data science in the various key GHD industries, but then the magic happened. I could see GHD Digital and my team’s contribution - cleaning up the environment, solving drinking water scarcity problems, and making our roads and bridges safer. We are doing good for the communities, and that is something that makes me happy to celebrate.
How did the idea of producing the report titled Beyond AI: Generative AI and the next wave of disruption emerge? What would you highlight from it? Generative AI was already impacting how we work and interact with the world, and we knew it was important to develop our own unique point of view on the technology. We had already recognized that our clients wanted to harness AI but weren’t sure exactly where to start. We also launched an AI Centre of Excellence earlier this year, with over 40 specialists aimed to help our clients understand the benefits and risks of using AI technologies and fast-track their use of AI to provide value for their customers, people and communities.
I would highlight generative AI’s immense promise and potential from the report. Its potential applications span all sectors, offering innovative solutions and transforming traditional approaches. As businesses and society embrace generative AI tools, the impact on economic growth and productivity is set to be profound. By 2030, AI is projected to significantly enhance the productivity of knowledge workers through the automation of routine tasks, real-time data anal-
ysis, personalized assistance, improved collaboration, customized learning experiences, enhanced decision-making processes, and reduced human errors.
Its potential extends beyond productivity gains, as it can also play a crucial role in helping companies and governments achieve sustainability and climate change objectives. Organizations focused on critical issues such as climate change, water scarcity and sustainability play a pivotal role in understanding and mitigating their impact on communities. Engineers and data analytics specialists must harness their technical expertise and embrace the immense potential of generative AI to tackle these issues with unwavering determination.
The report discusses a number of ethical concerns related to the adoption of generative AI; which of them do you think are most pressing at the moment?
I believe the most pressing concerns are regarding biases inherent in the training data, which is often inacces -
sible due to its proprietary nature, as well as the potential for the model to fabricate or hallucinate information. Furthermore, challenges may arise in rectifying errors within models, and uncertainties surrounding liability may emerge when deploying solutions reliant on this technology.
Ensuring the ethical and responsible use of generative AI is crucial, requiring collaboration between governments, regulators, and business leaders to develop robust governance frameworks and ethical guidelines.
The report highlights applications of generative AI in sustainability, based on improvements to existing science, technology and design. Yet some might argue that sustainability is not currently hindered by a lack of knowledge, but rather by a lack of will to implement the solutions we already know about. Can digital technologies ever help to improve governance to support sustainability objectives, for instance helping today’s leaders think more long term?
It is true that AI directly will not change anyone’s mind. But AI can make compliance with regulations and doing the right things easier for businesses. There is still a lack of knowledge in the sustainability space. Regulations are often difficult to understand or interpret. One of our offers in this space is the deconstruction
of permits. Digital technologies can also help in monitoring and proving adherence to compliance.
Areas like climate modelling and prediction are benefitting tremendously from AI’s ability to process massive amounts of data. AI can help in natural disaster prediction and recovery. AI can enable a circular economy by coming up with more efficient recycling programs or helping design products in sustainable ways. AI can help ethical and sustainable sourcing. Predictive maintenance using AI can help lead to sustainable production systems. The opportunities for using AI to lead to a sustainable future are huge.
According to GHD Digital analysis, about 50 per cent of generative AI-generated data is fabricated or inaccurate. This is quite striking; are prospective generative AI users equipped to deal with that?
Not yet. ChatGPT has created unprecedented enthusiasm, and people without any training on how to prompt a machine for the right answers are asking questions. We have come full circle. There was a time when data was scarce. Statisticians specialized in creating algorithms that could draw correct conclusions from small amounts of data. Advances in computer science turned the problem on its head by enabling us to process mind-boggling amounts of data. This created “big data”. Generative AI is now adding to it by creating new data/content, part of which is the result of hallucination. So, we now have “bigger” data – but, we also have the task of deciphering what is usable. Lots of research, training, and understanding are needed for the proper use of AI-generated data.
Are there additional cybersecurity risks related to the adoption of generative AI?
The adoption of generative AI in the water industry can introduce certain cybersecurity risks. Given that generative AI
"Ethical and responsible use of generative AI is crucial, requiring collaboration between governments, regulators, and business leaders"
The potential of generative AI extends beyond productivity gains: it can also play a role in sustainability and climate change objectives
models like GPT-3 are trained on a vast amount of data, there is a potential for malicious actors to exploit vulnerabilities in these models. This gives rise to deceptive or harmful content like generating false reports, manipulating sensor data and even launching targeted attacks on water infrastructure systems.
Therefore, organizations in the water industry must implement robust security measures, such as secure data transmission, access controls, and regular model audits, to mitigate these risks and ensure the integrity and reliability of their systems.
Looking ahead, how do you envision the evolution of generative AI’s role in the water industry? What role do you see for GHD Digital in this process?
I see the impact of generative AI on the water and wastewater industry coming from two different sources. First, we have had the ability to use machine learning or artificial intelligence to solve many problems. However, those capabilities have not exactly been leveraged to the extent that they should be utilized. Now,
the enthusiasm generated by AI will help in the utilization of those already existing tools. Second, generative AI has its own applications.
There has been a deluge of data resulting from digitization, better data collection and management, but limited deployment of these newly gained resources to make decisions. With the current tailwinds for the adoption of AIbased solutions, I see that operators will be better equipped to make decisions based on these solutions.
Prediction of future water demand based on historical data can help utilities to plan for and manage water supply more effectively. This would reduce the risk of water shortages. Predictive maintenance can be used to identify and prioritize maintenance needs. AI can also be used to create models that can detect water quality problems and simulate the impact of water management strategies. There will also be applications in designing waste-water treatment plants, optimizing treatment processes, monitoring and detecting problems, etc.
Going further, I see that generative AI will be used not only for facility operations (asset management, predictive maintenance, water quality and demand forecasting, optimization and leakage detection) but also business operations (customer engagement, bids and tenders management, etc.) and designing of water-related systems.
An example of a benefit would be the reduction of energy, chemical, and water usage and overall better usage of resources including the staff. Customer engagement using chatbots will be a boost that can provide further customized responses which will lead to better engagement.
This will result in the role of all the personnel shifting to higher value-added jobs within utilities. This comes at a time when we are expected to see about two-thirds of the operators retiring in the next few years and an increase in a tech-savvy, young generation who has willingly adopted newer technologies.
GHD has a long history of supporting water utilities and industry from a technical and engineering perspective.
GHD Digital is adding digital and data analytics capabilities including AI to the mix. The best results are obtained when GHD’s domain knowledge is complimented by data analytics capabilities. This enables GHD to provide an end-to-end solution. GHD Digital’s AI solutions are not in a vacuum. They are provided within the context of the client’s actual needs. GHD is expected to play a major role in the evolution of how the water sector modernizes itself with the help of AI.
"AI directly will not change anyone’s mind, but can make compliance with regulations and doing the right things easier for businesses"
Leakage from drinking water pipes is a global problem – including in Sweden. At VA SYD, non-revenue water accounted for 10% of all water supplied to customers. On a global scale, this figure is quite low, “but when we compare ourselves with our peers, we can still do much better”, says Simon Granath.
Z Peder Welin, Sales Manager at Siemens SwedenSimon Granath is a development engineer at VA SYD, which carried out an innovative project to detect and eliminate water leaks from pipelines using artificial intelligence (AI). The results will be used to help VA SYD achieve its ambitious goals of becoming a climate-neutral, energy-positive water utility with zero unplanned disruptions of service by 2030.
VA SYD is one of Sweden’s largest utilities, supplying more than 546,000 customers with drinking water in the regions around Lund and Malmö in the south of Sweden. In total, VA SYD operates around 5,000 kilometres of pipelines of which 2,000 km are drinking water
Some of the oldest pipes date from the 19th century, and with such a vast and heterogeneous infrastructure, pinpointing leaks is complex
pipes. Some of the oldest pipes date from the late 19th century, and with such a vast and heterogeneous infrastructure, pinpointing leaks is a complex task. As Simon Granath explains: “The percentage of non-revenue water varies greatly within our network. Some areas have exceptionally low rates of leaks, while the losses in others are more significant.
The issue was that until very recently, we could only detect the largest leaks that led to service disruptions – while it is the small and minor leaks, often from small service pipes, that are responsible for the lion’s share of non-revenue water.” Compared to Sweden’s average of 20% water loss through pipeline leaks – which itself is much lower than the global estimate of 50% non-revenue water – at the beginning of the project VA SYD’s 10% non-revenue water seemed relatively small, but Simon was convinced that VA SYD should be in a position to reduce this number. “Ten per cent non-revenue water, after all, translates into more than five million cubic metres of water per year that is simply lost,” says Simon.
Apart from the immediate monetary aspects, non-revenue water also impacts VA SYD’s broader company goals. “This water has been collected and treated, consuming energy and resources in the process. If we want to become climate neutral and energy positive, this kind of waste is simply not acceptable.” Today, the non-revenue water at VA SYD ac-
counts for less than 8%, which is similar to its neighbouring country Denmark.
Another aspect is improving the service to customers, adds Simon: “We have to maintain a lot of pipelines in a large area. When we have an issue with a pipeline, we
need to improve our ability to pinpoint the leak through smart metering zones. And for this purpose, we had been looking at utilizing an AI-based solution because we saw this as a way to make the best use of our installed water meters and improve the hydraulic models that we have for our pipelines.” VA SYD evaluated several systems over the last few years, looking for
Today, the non-revenue water at VA SYD accounts already for less than 8%, which is similar to its neighbouring country Denmark
a solution that was state of the art and made optimum use of the available flowmeters and smart meters in the area that had been chosen for the proof of concept. With SIWA LeakPlus, Siemens offered an excellent solution powered by its cooperation partner BuntPlanet. SIWA LeakPlus ticked all the boxes, says Simon, “but when it came to the implementation concept, we ran into some obstacles. We needed to find a way to use the AI-based leakage detection in an on-premises setup instead of in a cloud environment.” Siemens was able to offer a solution for this requirement as well. “We had some in-depth discussions with Siemens, BuntPlanet, and our IT and OT departments about the best approach to install the SIWA LeakPlus solution in our own data centres. To my knowledge, this is the first time something like this has been done in the Swedish water industry – and we managed to get the job done thanks not least to the support and expertise from Siemens.”
Nevertheless, the initial setup of the architecture proved to be quite a challenge, says Simon: “You really need to create a suitable concept for the architecture, bring the right people together, and specify exactly what you need and how you want to get there.” After the solution had been installed, the next step was to refine the hydraulic models for the pipelines. “We had to do a dynamic calibration through a series of capacity tests and measure the pipeline pressure at several places in our metering areas. The data were used
to create a very fine-meshed model that offers a much higher degree of detail than the hydraulic models we had previously.” In parallel to the modeling, the data from the metering systems and pump stations were linked with SIWA LeakPlus using OPC UA. SIWA LeakPlus is one of the Siemens Water (SIWA) applications specifically developed for the water and wastewater industry. This smart solution uses an AI-based algorithm to identify and classify anomalies in the pipe network. To perform reliably, SIWA LeakPlus is first “trained” through historical flow and pressure data so that it learns to separate anomalies from regular operations and assign the correct cause to each anomaly. The application can automatically detect whether an event was caused by some aspect of the regular operation or is due to water theft or a pipeline leak. Alternatively, the operator can also manually assign a cause to an event to refine the algorithm.
After completing the linkage and training, VA SYD was ready to perform the first tests. Simon explains: “We used the system to simulate different leaks and then evaluated the data. We were able to detect leaks as small as 0.5 litres per second – this was quite impressive and a huge improvement over the previous solution, which provided no means of detecting small leaks at all.” It was especially impressive considering that the available data were still quite limited at that point, adds Simon. “Right now, we are working on Phase 2, which will allow us to improve the leak detection so that we can pinpoint the location of the leak, and we will deploy this solution in the coming weeks. Then we will have the means to really go out there and fix all those small issues efficiently.”
With the proof of concept in its final stages, VA SYD is also working on scaling up the solution to other parts of the network. “The proof of concept was done in a rela-
tively small system with 5,000 consumers per district metered area. This is a general principle here at VA SYD: start small, try things out, and learn from failures so that you can succeed on a larger scale”, says Simon. “I can highly recommend this approach, as it enables you to reduce the risk and refine the solution before you scale up.”
A further area to benefit from SIWA LeakPlus is currently the town of Lund, where VA SYD is installing additional flowmeters to provide more data from the pipeline network. “This is another aspect that we are looking into,” says Simon. “With SIWA LeakPlus, we are able to work with a smarter leakage-detection system that requires less data from the pipelines. The flowmeters on the pipes are quite expensive, and if we can reduce the number of installed meters by having a good dynamic calibration of our hydraulic system, that is something that immediately pays off.”
Economic benefits aside, SIWA LeakPlus has already helped VA SYD take the next steps to reach its broader goals, says
We used the system to simulate different leaks and then evaluated the data. We were able to detect leaks as small as 0.5 litres per second
Simon. “One obvious impact of the new leakage detection solution is that we are not only able to reduce the total amount of leakage, but we can also find and fix a leak before it becomes a burst and affects our customers. That contributes to our goal of zero unplanned interruptions of
service. Moreover, the solution enables us to find all those small leaks on small service pipelines that add up to a lot of non-revenue water.”
Furthermore, the project at VA SYD has been widely recognized as a best practice in Sweden, leading other municipalities to
adopt the same solution for water distribution in their respective areas. One such example is the NSVA water utility in the south-western part of the country. Victor Pellin, along with Simon, played a crucial role as project initiators at VA SYD. Victor later transitioned to NSVA, where he is successfully implementing the SIWA LeakPlus system in their regions. His expertise and valuable experience in leakage detection installations greatly contribute to the success of the project at NSVA.
Treating natural resources with respect is a way of life in Sweden, and water should be no exception to this practice, says Victor: “Even if here in Sweden there is not a water scarcity problem in general, wasting water just feels wrong. Plus, lifting, treating, and pressurizing that water consumes energy, and energy is a major cost factor.”
Consequently, Victor and Simon are aiming even higher than matching the 8% benchmark for non-revenue water from Denmark: “We really want to beat that. There are municipalities that achieve much lower figures, and we want to be able to measure up to the best. And in our opinion, that requires smart leakage detection and AI-based solutions like SIWA LeakPlus.”
The impacts of climate change, once viewed as a problem of the future, are increasingly challenges now. These challenges frequently emerge through water. Extreme events, be it floods or droughts, have devastating impacts that put immense stress on water systems and the communities and ecosystems that depend upon them. The need to embed resilience into water management, to make flexibility, redundancy and robustness integral to the operations and capital planning of water systems, has never been greater. We need to responsibly leverage the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to address the complexity and uncertainty of water management under climate change.
When ChatGPT was released in 2022, the previously esoteric concept of AI was mainstreamed, unleashing a range of emotions from curiosity to existential angst. Addressing the role of AI in society requires an ongoing debate and discussion in the realm of ethics, philosophy, and public policy. We must, however, continue to leverage and evolve the power of AI-guided decision-making regarding climate change.
One of the promises of AI is its ability to recognize patterns amongst massive amounts of data and general actionable insights to inform decisions. The staggering amounts of data in existence – which grows exponentially on a daily basis – make this functionality a necessity for any organization aspiring to make data-informed decisions. For water management purposes, however, the vast majority of this data is largely irrelevant. In this context salience is essential. This requires moving from a horizontal approach to AI tool development intended to address generic needs to a vertical approach, where AI is optimized for the water utility sector, trained on water utility-specific datasets and informed by water utility-specific characteristics and attributes, in order to generate salient intelligence.
This verticalization of AI for water is underway. Google’s Flood Hub and Upstream Tech’s Hydroforecast are just two
of many examples of the deployment of AI to enhance water managers’ foresight capabilities. Earth observation (EO) data features prominently in many of the services currently in the market, but what role could the vast amount of utility generated data play in shaping the salience of these services? What role could the utility sector play in shaping this water AI vertical to address utility-specific needs?
One, the sector should take an objective mapping approach to identify target utility business functions, the decisions made within those functions, and the data essential for each function. Second, utilities should develop, clean, and structure their data to train AI applications for utility specific applications. Third, these activities should be informed by a clear understanding of the analytical needs and objectives of decision makers so that AI tools are developed within and constrained by a clear decision-making context. What do I need to know, when and where?
An Industry 5.0 view of AI is essential, with AI augmenting and complementing human intelligence and decision making, allowing humans to decide which decisions to delegate and which to retain. Other attributes that should undergird this work include data accessibility, allowing data to be made widely available not just within utilities but across the sector; interoperability, where data standards are developed to enable datasets that had been assembled and developed in isolation to be deployed as seamlessly as possible to generate derivative benefits; and transparency, where the understanding of AI results and use and are open and explainable.
Climate change is an “all hands on deck” moment for the water community. Leveraging the continually evolving power of AI is critical for building resilience in our water systems. Successfully managing the development and deployment of AI tools necessarily requires an active dialogue in our community to explore and address ethical issues associated with AI.
We need to responsibly leverage the power of AI to address the complexity and uncertainty of water management under climate change
Digital water innovation often shines the spotlight on water utilities as vital suppliers, yet the relationship that industries share with this essential resource must not be overlooked. Industries rely on water as a crucial ingredient in manufacturing processes, with the ability to profoundly affect both the quantity and quality of water available in an area. However, progress in digital innovation within this sector has been sluggish. Companies grapple with the complexity of conceptualizing and scaling solutions to address the intricate and diverse issues surrounding industrial water. Despite challenges, the pressing need for innovation to address complex water-related issues in industries, alongside managing impacts on production, society, and the environment, is imperative.
In the realm of industry, the interconnection of water and production calls for a shift. Unlike utilities where water is the ultimate output, industries perceive water as a pivotal intermediary. This shift introduces a new challenge — digital innovations crafted for utilities often fall short of aligning with industrial needs. To effectively harness digital water innovation for industries, we must tailor our approach to suit production processes.
Enter the concept of ecosystem models. The intricate processes in industries necessitate a departure from linear water management in favor of a holistic ecosystem perspective. Industrial water reuse stands out as a prime example of this shift.
As water scarcity concerns intensify, industries face a crucial decision. Embracing water reuse emerges as a solution that enhances water security, maintains production, and lessens the strain on water resources. The success of this strategy relies on the availability of a consistent quality of water. However, the challenge is compounded by the variable concentration of contaminants often observed in industrial water. Imagine a pulp and paper mill — a facility's ability to reuse water depends on its capacity to uphold water quality within its internal recycling
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT TALBOT HELEN HULETT
system. When the quality declines, the mill must tap into external water sources, underscoring the importance of managing water quality within an industrial setting. Here, the role of digital technologies becomes paramount.
Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) step onto the stage, equipped with algorithms that oversee the process water cycle. These vigilant tools identify issues, conserve water, enhance treatment processes, and prevent resource wastage. Their role ensures that water reuse is optimized to deliver maximum water benefits.
Expanding on the ecosystem approach, the integration of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) carries significant potential. These interfaces facilitate the connection between production processes and water management. Industries, often constrained by single water plans, now possess the means to build a system where water plays a pivotal role in the manufacturing narrative rather than being an afterthought. This approach offers a potential solution to the pressing water challenges we confront.
The need for industries to take control of their water becomes apparent when we consider the escalating water crisis. South Africa serves as a prime example, showcasing how limited water availability can directly affect industrial production and economic well-being. Sectors like food and beverage must make essential changes to guarantee sustainability and provide for growing populations. This challenge isn't confined to just the industrial realm; it's a societal imperative, recognizing the interconnected nature of populations and economies.
In summation, the stage is set for a digital revolution that will reshape how industries manage water. Given the distinctive nature of this sector, departing from conventional utility strategies in favor of embracing ecosystem models is essential. Water reuse serves as the immediate testing ground for this transformation, driven by the harmonious interplay of ML, AI, and vigilant oversight of the water cycle.
Embracing water reuse emerges as a solution that enhances water security, maintains production, and lessens the strain on water resources
REVOLUTIONIZING INDUSTRIAL WATER MANAGEMENT: DIGITAL INNOVATION & CHALLENGES
ChatGPT consumes 500 millilitres of water per interaction consisting of 5 to 50 questions, according to a new UC Riverside study
Leading tech companies like Microsoft, OpenAI, and Google are grappling with the environmental costs of developing AI, including increased water consumption and energy usage, as they rush to meet the demand for generative AI products. This demand is driven by technologies like ChatGPT, which require vast amounts of computing power to analyse patterns in human-written text and generate human-like responses. To cool the powerful supercomputers used in this process, data centres use water, especially on hot days.
In its latest report, Microsoft revealed that its global water consumption surged by 34% from 2021 to 2022, which experts have attributed to its AI research efforts, including its partnership with OpenAI. Similarly, Google reported a 20% increase in water use during the
same period attributed to its AI work. The water usage patterns varied across locations, with some regions experiencing substantial increases in demand.
A study led by researcher Shaolei Ren from the University of California, Riverside, estimated that ChatGPT consumes approximately 500 millilitres of water per interaction consisting of 5 to 50 questions. This estimate includes indirect water usage, such as cooling power plants supplying electricity to data centres. Ren emphasized that public awareness of the resource consumption associated with AI systems like ChatGPT is essential for conservation efforts.
Meanwhile, Microsoft and OpenAI have acknowledged their environmental impact and expressed commitment to reducing it.
Oldcastle Infrastructure partners with FIDO Tech for leak detection
A global collaboration is being deployed across the Phoenix metropolitan area to reduce water network losses through the power of actionable artificial intelligence (AI).
Oldcastle Infrastructure, a CRH Company and leader in innovative infrastructure solutions, will deliver leak detection and broader non-revenue water (NRW) water management and conservation solutions through its recently announced strategic partnership with technology solutions provider, FIDO Tech.
The 10-year project will cover 350 km of the water pipeline network operated by EPCOR, the largest private utility in Arizona. Financed by Microsoft, the project will help the organization to make progress against its water replenishment goal, part of its overarching water-positive commitment.
Phoenix, located in one of the driest regions in the United States, has long struggled with water scarcity, making it imperative for local stakeholders to proactively seek innovative solutions. The city’s rapid population growth, coupled with unpredictable weather patterns, has placed considerable stress on the area’s water supply. Recent reports have demonstrated an alarming reduction in groundwater levels and reservoir capacities.
FIDO’s AI solutions can identify leaks and, most importantly, rank them by size, even in the noisiest networks, regardless of pipe material or condition. Detecting and fixing water losses positively impacts water availability with immediate impact across local watersheds in a quantifiable way.
Siemens Grid Software has secured a contract with Northumbrian Water Group and have deployed EnergyIP® MDM X, part of the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio. Northumbrian Water Group (NWG) is enhancing its ability to detect and reduce household water leaks by connecting more than one million smart water meters to a new Siemens data management platform by 2030.
The water utility is undergoing a major rollout of smart meters, which report data back to the cloud on an hourly basis.
The Siemens Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution will allow NWG to analyse this data to identify household consumption anomalies and alert customers of potential leaks on their properties. The system will ultimately help NWG to meet UK water regulator Ofwat’s targets for reducing leakages and per capita consumption. The utility services 4.5 million people.
Siemens collaborated with NWG’s team to design, develop, test and launch the meter data management SaaS, which is powered by the technology company’s EnergyIP®
software. It represents the largest solution of its kind implemented by Siemens for the water industry in Europe, and its largest deployment of grid software to date.
EnergyIP® MDM X for Water is part of Siemens Xcelerator, the company’s digital business platform, enabling customers to accelerate their digital transformation easier, faster, and at scale. Sabine Erlinghagen, CEO of Grid Software at Siemens Smart Infrastructure, said: “EnergyIP® MDM X will enable NWG to make the best use of their data."
WaterMeter Corp, in collaboration with WND Mexico and UnaBiz, announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to revolutionise water management in Mexico. This strategic alliance aims to deploy 1 million water meters with Sigfox 0G technology throughout Mexico over the next 10 years, offering innovative solutions for accurate, efficient, and sustainable measurement of water, gas and electricity.
WaterMeter Corp has forged a high-impact alliance with WND Mexico
and UnaBiz to introduce 1 million water measurement solutions based on Sigfox 0G technology in Mexico. Leveraging WND’s 0G Network, this collaboration will facilitate the efficient monitoring and management of water resources.
As the operator of the 0G Network in Mexico, WND Mexico is committed to providing extensive coverage crucial to the successful deployment of water metering solutions powered by Sigfox 0G technology across the country. This alliance reinforces WND Mexico’s ded-
ication to supporting innovative IoT solutions. As the owner of Sigfox 0G technology, UnaBiz guarantees the continuity and longevity of the network and services in Mexico for the next 15 years. With a strong track record of connecting more than 2 million gas and water meters worldwide through the global 0G network, UnaBiz brings unparalleled experience to this transformative collaboration. This alliance between WaterMeter Corp, WND Mexico, and UnaBiz is based on a shared long-term business vision.
Optimize the operational efficiency of wastewater treatment plants
Technical Benefits
• Patented technology creates granular biomass
• Improved sludge settleability properties
• Increased removal of BOD5, COD, SST and nitrogen
• Higher rate of biological removal of phosphorus
• Increased treatment capacity
• Reduced operating costs
Results Obtained
• 40% reduction in biological reactor energy consumption
• 40% reduction in sludge production
• 50% reduction in chemical consumption
• 35% increase in treatment capacity
• 90% Nitrogen removed
• 80% Phosphorus removed biologically
• 70% SVI reduced
sands of ground stations and several tens of satellites orbiting the Earth. They use these to produce up-to-date information on different components of the water cycle. Recently, they teamed up to provide comprehensive climate and water information via the Global Water Monitor (www.globalwater.online), an online data explorer that unlocks an extraordinary trove of climate and water data to anyone interested, free of charge.
The organisations and individuals that make up the Global Water Monitor Consortium share the goal of providing free and up-to-date information on climate and water anywhere in the world, measured by satellites and on the ground.
Z Cristina Novo PérezIn 2022, the Global Water Monitor Consortium launched an online data explorer and produced its first annual report, summarising the state and trends in the global water cycle in that year, and examining some of the most important hydrological events. We interviewed Albert Van Dijk, Professor of Water and Landscape Dynamics at the Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University, and first author of the report, to learn more about the Global Water Monitor. His research team watches the global water cycle closely, with one key conclusion: Earth’s water cycle is clearly changing.
How did the idea of producing the Global Water Monitor emerge, and how is it intended to be used? Are there plans to make the report a regular publication?
Our global water resources are under pressure. The growing world population
needs more and more water for agriculture, industry and households, while global warming is changing both rainfall patterns and the water requirements of plants, people and ecosystems. More than ever, we need information on the current state of the water cycle. Unfortunately, the global measurement network is in decline, and much of the remaining observations are not publicly available. Earth-observing satellites help fill gaps in our knowledge by measuring the atmosphere and the Earth’s surface.
The Global Water Monitor Consortium brings together several public and private research and development organisations that share a goal of providing free, rapid and global information on climate and water resources.
Over the years, the partners have developed methods to combine and interpret water measurements made at thou-
Normally, it takes many months for this kind of data to be collected, collated, analysed and interpreted. Our team combines water measurements made at thousands of ground stations and by satellites to produce up-to-date information on rainfall, air temperature and humidity, soil water, river flows and the volume of water in natural and artificial lakes. By making the best possible use of satellite instruments orbiting the Earth and by automating the whole data analysis and interpretation process, our team has been able to reduce that time to a few days.
The report will be produced annually. We produced this first annual report to use and demonstrate that capacity. The first report included information on precipitation, air temperature and humidity, soil water availability, river flows and water volumes in natural and artificial lakes. It summarised the state and any trends in the global water cycle in 2022 and examined some of the most important hydrological events of the year. Next year, we expect to also include data on groundwater and vegetation (e.g., grazing, cropping) conditions.
A lot of climate and water data that is collected at on-ground stations goes through a curation process and takes months, if not years, to become publicly available – if ever. But the world is changing fast, and it's important to have more immediate access to what is going on with climate and water.
“More than ever, we need information on the current state of the water cycle”
that there is not enough data available, in many cases, to do a full global assessment, and their reporting process is very slow. That’s the gap we address.
The Global Water Monitor report explores trends and focuses on specific regions. Which findings would you highlight, and did any of them surprise you?
Combining data from more than 40 satellites and thousands of ground-based stations to get a global picture of water resources, the Global Water Monitor has been up and running for about a year now. It is not intended as an alternative to the water information that national agencies like national water data agencies such as the USGS, meteorological services or similar agencies. We are also not the only group monitoring how the global water cycle is changing.
For example, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has been looking at the global water cycle for a few years now. However, they keep finding
Some of the trends identified in the report confirm climate shifts that are already well known. An obvious example is the rising temperatures. But some of the trends may be less known. For instance, the effect that increasing temperatures and reducing humidity are having on the occurrence of flash droughts. Worldwide the underlying trend of warming has consequences that are starting to be felt as drought and flood records continue to be broken.
What used to be a cool year, a La Niña year is no longer a cool year. If anything, it’s an average year, compared to data from the past. Rather than being wet and cool, it’s now wet and warm.
Whereas El Niño years are likely to be hotter than usual and to be drier. This all has consequences for how fast drought impacts develop. Flash droughts increase the risk of water shortage, crop losses and severe bushfires, and we see more and more of them.
To what extent is it possible to predict the outlook for the following year (and beyond) based on the conditions in a particular year?
There is a well-known gap in our ability to predict what falls between weather, which we can predict reasonably well over up to about 10 or 15 days, and climate, which we can predict over the long term, especially when it comes to slow trends such as average temperatures. For water availability next year, we can make some predictions on the current ocean circulation patterns, especially the El Nino Southern Oscillation, and combine those with the current storage of water in the soil, groundwater and water bodies. That can especially help predict
"The Global Water Monitor Consortium provides comprehensive climate and water information via an online climate and water data explorer"
the likelihood of droughts developing, intensifying or waning. This is true to a lesser extent for floods, as the change from drought to flood conditions can happen more rapidly following intense rainfall.
There is rising awareness of the need to manage water and climate considering their interdependencies. What are your thoughts and expectations in this regard?
The two are tightly linked, as our and many other reports show. The dependency of
water resources on rain and snowfall is intuitive, but it is now very clear that rising temperatures are also having quite a strong impact on the rate at which soils dry out, bushfires start, glaciers melt, and so on. In turn, the climate is sensitive to landscape wetness, and some regions are heavily dependent on the recycling of evaporation from the landscape as rainfall, such as for example the Amazon forests. So those interdependencies are quite strong and obviously, they cannot be measured in
separation, just like water management can't be seen separate from economic development, population growth, energy use and natural ecosystems, for example. Water resources management is, first and foremost, the skill of understanding and managing those connections.
How can initiatives like the Global Water Monitor help us prepare for a challenging future ahead? What else is needed?
Our main purpose is to provide an upto-date picture of the global water cycle and water resources, so that we can identify threats as and when they emerge.
Most urgently, we will have to prepare for the changes in climate that we can already no longer prevent, find ways to slow and then reverse the increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere so we don't make a bad situation worse, and roll out existing solutions for water threats and water scarcity as well as develop new ones. For example, you can think of new ways to what likely will become an abundance of cheap renewable energy in future to increase water resources availability where necessary.
For water availability next year, we make predictions on the current ocean circulation patterns, combined with the current water storage
Amidst the timeless allure of the pyramids, the tranquil flow of the Nile, and the vibrant tapestry of its cultural heritage, Egypt beckons us to explore not only its rich past but also the enigmatic future that lies ahead.
Within this captivating land, a profound nexus emerges — one that intertwines the realms of tourism, water, and climate. In this article, we embark on a captivating journey, delving into the intricate web of tourism, water and climate nexus and envisioning a sustainable path forward, using the CATALYST approach.
Egypt is a country renowned for its rich historical heritage, ancient wonders, and vibrant tourism industry. However, it faces unique challenges due to the interconnection between tourism, water resources, and climate change. Egypt’s tourism sector has long been a vital contributor to its economy, but the interplay between tourism, water resources, and climate change presents both challenges and opportunities for its future. As Egypt looks ahead, it recognizes the need to balance econom-
ic growth, environmental sustainability, and climate resilience.
The water-climate nexus refers to the intricate relationship between water availability, quality, and climate patterns. This nexus has significant implications for countries heavily reliant on tourism, such as Egypt, where the preservation and sustainable management of water resources are crucial for maintaining its thriving tourism sector.
Water as a vital resource for tourism: water plays a pivotal role in the tourism industry, attracting visitors to destinations blessed with pristine beaches, lakes, rivers, and vibrant ecosystems. Moreover, tourism-related activities such as hotels, resorts, and recreational facilities heavily rely on adequate and reliable water supplies. However, climate change-induced impacts, including altered precipitation patterns, droughts, and rising sea levels, pose threats to the availability and sustainability of water resources, ultimately impacting the tourism sector.
The Nile River: the lifeline of Egypt’s tourism. The Nile River holds immense importance in Egypt’s history, culture,
and tourism. It is the longest river in the world, providing a lush and scenic backdrop for river cruises, felucca boat rides, and water-based activities. The Nile’s presence is interwoven with iconic attractions such as Luxor, Aswan, and the Valley of the Kings, where tourists explore ancient temples and archaeological sites, revealing the rich tapestry of Egypt’s past.
Coastal beauty and recreational activities Egypt’s long coastline along the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea is another major draw for tourists. Pristine beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and abundant marine life make Egypt a paradise for sun-seekers, divers, and snorkelers. Coastal destinations like Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada, and Marsa Alam offer an array of wa-
In Egypt, the interplay between tourism, water resources, and climate change presents both challenges and opportunities for its future
ter-based recreational activities, including swimming, sailing, fishing, and exploring the vibrant underwater world.
Oasis and desert tourism. Egypt’s oases and expansive deserts contribute to its unique tourism offerings. These arid landscapes provide visitors with an immersive experience, allowing them to connect with nature, witness stunning sunsets, and explore ancient caravan routes. Oases like Siwa, Bahariya, and Farafra offer respite amidst natural springs and palm groves, creating an oasis of tranquility in the midst of the desert.
Cultural and historical heritage. Water resources, such as rivers and canals, played a significant role in ancient Egyptian civilization, contributing to agricultural pro-
ductivity and facilitating transportation. The preservation of cultural and historical heritage sites, including the Pyramids of Giza, Karnak Temple, and Philae Temple, relies on sustainable water management to mitigate the impacts of groundwater levels, humidity, and the potential effects of climate change.
Sustainable water management practices. Recognizing the importance of water resources, Egypt has implemented sustainable water management practices to ensure their long-term availability and the preservation of its tourism industry:
J Water conservation and efficiency: Hotels, resorts, and tourism facilities in Egypt are encouraged to adopt water-saving measures such as efficient fixtures, wa-
ter recycling systems, and awareness campaigns to minimize water consumption.
J Integrated water resource management: Egypt has developed comprehensive strategies for the equitable and sustainable management of water resources. This includes monitoring groundwater levels, regulating irrigation practices, and promoting responsible water use in tourism-related activities.
J Waste management and pollution control: Egypt implements measures to manage wastewater, prevent pollution in coastal areas, and protect marine ecosystems. Effective waste management systems and regulations help ensure the cleanliness and preservation of water bodies and coastal destinations.
Egypt is classified as a water-scarce country, heavily reliant on the Nile River as its primary source of freshwater. However, population growth, agricultural demands, and climate change-induced impacts such as reduced rainfall pose challenges to water availability. The tourism sector, which requires significant water resources for various activities and services, must address the limited water supply to ensure sustainable operations.
Egypt’s coastal areas, including popular destinations like Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada, are highly vulnerable to climate change and rising sea levels. Coastal erosion, saltwater intrusion, and coral bleaching pose risks to beach quality, marine ecosystems, and infrastructure. These impacts can adversely affect the attractiveness of coastal tourism, leading to potential economic losses and a decline in visitor numbers.
Droughts and reduced river flows can impact water-dependent attractions and activities in Egypt. For instance, the availability of water for Nile cruises, felucca rides, and recreational water sports can be compromised during periods of water scarcity. This can lead to operational challenges for tourism businesses and disappointments for tourists who may expect water-related experiences.
Egypt’s cultural heritage, including ancient monuments and archaeological sites, is intricately tied to water resources. Climate change-induced impacts such as increased humidity, extreme weather events, and changes in groundwater levels can negatively affect the preservation of these historical treasures. Without proper management, the structural integrity and accessibility of cultural sites can be compromised, impacting the tourism experience.
Water scarcity and climate change can have social and economic consequenc-
es for local communities dependent on tourism. Reduced water availability may affect livelihoods, particularly in rural areas where tourism plays a significant role. Community engagement and empowerment are crucial to building resilience, ensuring equitable access to water resources, and fostering sustainable tourism practices that benefit local populations.
The challenges posed by tourism, water scarcity, and climate change in Egypt require innovative solutions that promote sustainability and resilience. To address these challenges, I propose the CATALYST approach — which represents a set of impactful solutions and opportunities for Egypt’s tourism sector.
C - Conservation and efficiency: promote water conservation practices and enhance resource efficiency in the tour-
ism industry. Implement water-efficient technologies, such as low-flow fixtures and efficient irrigation systems, to minimize water consumption. Embrace energy-saving measures, renewable energy integration, and waste reduction practices to reduce the sector’s environmental footprint.
A - Awareness and education: raise awareness among tourists, industry stakeholders, and local communities about the importance of sustainable tourism, water conservation, and climate change. Conduct educational campaigns, provide visitor information centres, and offer training programmes to empower stakeholders with knowledge and encourage responsible behaviour.
T - Technological innovations: leverage technological advancements to address water scarcity and climate change impacts. Invest in innovative solutions such as desalination, wastewater treat-
ment and reuse, and smart irrigation systems. Explore digital platforms and data-driven approaches for efficient water management and climate monitoring.
A - Adaptation and resilience: develop adaptive strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change on Egypt’s tourism sector. Implement climate resilience measures, such as coastal zone management, beach restoration, and protection against sea-level rise. Diversify tourism offerings to reduce dependence on climate-sensitive activities and explore alternative experiences.
L - Local community engagement: engage and empower local communities in sustainable tourism practices. Involve communities in decision-making processes, promote community-based tourism initiatives, and ensure equitable access to water resources. Encourage the involvement of local businesses, fostering economic benefits for communities.
Y - Youth empowerment and innovation: harness the potential of youth to drive innovation and sustainability in the tourism sector. Support entrepreneurship, encourage youth participation in sustainable tourism initiatives, and facilitate knowledge exchange platforms. Promote research and innovation in water management, climate adaptation, and sustainable tourism practices.
S - Stakeholder collaboration: foster collaboration among government agencies, tourism operators, local communities, and international organizations. Establish partnerships, share best practices, and develop joint initiatives to address water scarcity and climate change challenges collectively. Encourage public-private partnerships to support sustainable tourism projects.
T - Tourism planning and policies: integrate sustainable practices into tourism planning and policy frameworks. Develop comprehensive strategies that consider water availability, climate change risks, and cultural heritage preservation. Enact and enforce policies that promote sustainable water management, climate resilience, and responsible tourism practices. By implementing the CATALYST approach, Egypt can effectively tackle the challenges of tourism, water scarcity, and climate change while capitalizing on opportunities for sustainable growth. This comprehensive approach fosters conservation, awareness, technological innovations, adaptation, community engagement, youth empowerment, stakeholder collaboration, and robust planning and policies, ensuring a prosperous and resilient future for Egypt’s tourism sector.
Karnak Temple, and Philae Temple, relies on sustainable water management
The preservation of heritage sites, including the Pyramids of Giza,KIRA TAYLOR
FREELANCE JOURNALIST SPECIALISING IN EUROPEAN ENERGY, CLIMATE, AND ENVIRONMENT NEWS
Industries, farms, and citizens in Europe are experiencing disrupted water supplies due to the climate crisis. New, sustainable, and efficient approaches are needed, backed by ambitious legislation.
This summer, droughts in the Western Mediterranean raised concerns about reduced soil moisture, river flows, and lower crop yields. Italy also saw deadly flooding as torrential rains hit parched ground. While the EU-funded Copernicus monitoring service shows much of this area no longer under drought warnings, data from July put much of northern, central and eastern Europe under these.
In 2018, the European Environment Agency warned of water stress in one-third of EU territory and heightened flooding and drought risks in many European regions. Changing precipitation patterns exacerbated wetness in some areas and intensified aridity in others.
"Water scarcity is one of the challenges we face," says Oliver Loebel, Secretary-General of EurEau. "There are two components: overall declining precipitation and longer drought periods interrupted by heavy rainfall," he explains, adding that rising sea levels also risk saltwater intrusion in aquifers.
However, despite the risks posed to Europe's agriculture, industry, and citizens, a gap exists between the scale of the issue and the implemented measures and legislation. "The EU has struggled with water availability for over a decade but is only now confronting this challenge," says Loïc Charpentier from Water Europe. This organisation unites major water users, municipalities, research centres, and others to enhance the water sector and address global challenges. "The central problem we currently face is that water remains under the policymakers' radar," he adds.
For a comprehensive solution, society's water consumption practices need to be reevaluated. According to a European Commission spokesperson, measures include sustainable water use and reuse, soil management, vegetation cover, and restoring damaged areas. Furthermore, Europeans would need to prepare
for disruptions in freight transport, hydropower, and cooling for power plants and promote residential water conservation and additional infrastructure for water supply and storage.
Since 2000, Europe has implemented the Water Framework Directive. This policy primarily focuses on water health, including pollution levels, and requires EU countries to formulate and implement river basin management plans.
According to the Commission spokesperson, legislation is the EU's primary tool to reverse water scarcity. However, Brussels mostly has a say in water quality, not quantity. Alongside this, while the European Commission deemed the legislation sufficient during its review in 2019, the Commission said there was "room for improvement" around implementation and investment.
"When it comes to implementation and enforcement, a lot of the business-as-usual approaches are still being applied, rather than using the Water Framework Directive for that paradigm shift," says Sergiy Moroz, policy manager for biodiversity and water at the NGO European Environmental Bureau. "We need the funding and the political will to implement it properly," he adds.
Meanwhile, attempts to incorporate water efficiency into EU policy have fallen short. For instance, in July, European Parliament lawmakers voted to weaken water efficiency provisions in the Industrial Emissions Directive, a law still awaiting finalisation. Additionally, Brussels has regulations on water reuse. Still, they are limited to agriculture, even though industry consumes half of all sectoral freshwater in Europe, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization's Aquastat.
Jurgita Malinauskaite, the head of Brunel Law School, suggests that European businesses need to rethink their strategies and
Despite risks to agriculture, industry, and citizens, a gap exists between the scale of the issue and implemented measures and legislation
transition to a circular model. "We need to carefully consider how to save fresh water and how to reclaim, reuse, and recycle wastewater while applying circular economy principles. This is currently missing, and I think all industries need to rethink their business models," says Malinauskaite.
There are already initiatives working on this in Europe. For example, a project funded by the EU called iWays is exploring methods to recover water, materials, and heat in industrial processes. This initiative could yield numerous benefits, such as reducing freshwater consumption by 30% to 60%. Additionally, combining solar power with farming could alleviate pressure on land, provide shade for animals and crops, and help conserve water.
Projects by the energy company BayWa r.e are already exploring the integration of energy production and rainwater harvesting. The company is also investigating floating solar installations, where panels are positioned over lakes to optimise land usage and mitigate evaporation. It is believed that this approach could potentially reduce lake evaporation rates by 30-60%.
In the face of growing uncertainty and changing water patterns, Europe needs to approach water more circularly, tackling pollution issues and increasing work on reusing supplies. While the European Environment Agency found that improvements in efficiency and management have resulted in a 19% drop in water abstraction since 1990, some argue there needs to be a significant shift in how Europe views water.
"There is no way we can continue our paradigm of increasing the supply all the time," said Moroz, adding that building desalination plants is costly. "We have to start dealing with managing the demand, being more efficient, reducing the amount of water we need and restoring and maintaining the natural base where the water is coming from," he adds.
Ecosystems can help regulate water, including flood plains, that act as a sponge and reduce the impact of flooding, provided they are in good condition. Here, the draft Nature Restoration Law could help as it looks at restoring degraded ecosystems, aiming for all degraded areas to be under protection and restoration measures by mid-century. However, like the Water Framework Directive, this depends on proper implementation by EU countries.
Europe also needs to look at where and how it produces food, said Loebel. "We need to rethink which crops we can grow where and whether it makes sense to have agriculture in certain areas, with all the social consequences. I know it's not easy, but the question cannot be avoided," he adds. There is concern about the impact of irrigation in some areas.
For instance, in the Doñana region in Spain, while some irrigation is allowed, many farmers use illegal wells to drain underwater reserves, with the central government closing 220 illegal wells in one week, according to Reuters. Alongside this, local government plans to loosen irrigation rules further drew concern following prolonged drought in the area.
While there is increasing competition between water users, there is also cooperation. This is mostly through voluntary exchanges, but Loebel thinks there is a willingness to do more, partly driven by worries over water supplies. "Scarcity, in a way, is a national problem, but it becomes a bigger issue when the river basin stretches across several countries. In those situations, it just makes sense to set up a rule where everyone has to work together to share the limited water fairly, whether you're upstream or downstream," he says, suggesting Brussels could do this.
The current European Commission is winding up ahead of the EU elections in 2024. Still, Charpentier advocates for a water-smart strategy in the next Commission mandate that would improve water security, resilience, and sustainability.
In the face of changing water patterns, Europe needs to approach water more circularly, tackling pollution issues and increasing reuse
ed the least are paying the highest price in lives and livelihoods. Six out of every 10 persons in Africa are not protected by effective early warning systems, the most basic tool to save lives and protect livelihoods ahead of a disaster. Implementation of the Secretary General’s bold vision to ensure that everyone is covered by an effective early warning system by 2027 must be at the top of the global agenda. The EW4ALL Africa Action Plan is Africa's roadmap to achieve this goal and must be supported by all,” said Selwin Hart, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Climate Action and Just Transition.
A new
Plan for Africa is one of the most ambitious and comprehensive initiatives ever launched to save lives and livelihoods on a continent which is regularly exposed to extreme weather, and which bears a disproportionate socio-economic cost of climate change.
The primary objective is to make sure that timely and accurate information about natural hazards and impending disasters reaches all segments of African society, particularly the most vulnerable. This answers the call of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres that every person worldwide must be protected by early warning systems by 2027. A number of African countries have been identified for priority action in the global initiative.
“Africa is one of the world’s most susceptible continents to the negative im-
pacts of climate change. Severe floods, droughts, tropical cyclones, storms, and heatwaves are undermining the socio-economic advancements achieved by the continent,” said WMO Secretary-General Prof. Petteri Taalas.
“Between 1970 and 2021, Africa accounted for 35% of weather, climate, and water-related fatalities. Yet only 40% of the African population has access to early warning systems – the lowest rate of any region of the world.” said Prof. Taalas.
The socio-economic impacts of extreme weather and climate change were highlighted in WMO’s State of the Climate in Africa 2022 report, which was also released at the Africa Climate Summit on 4 September.
“The greatest injustice of the climate crisis is that people who have contribut-
Early Warning Systems provide more than a tenfold return on investment. Just 24 hours’ notice of an impending hazardous event can cut the ensuing damage by 30 per cent. The Global Commission on Adaptation found that spending just US$800 million on such systems in developing countries would avoid losses of $3 to 16 billion per year.
“The Early Warning for All in Africa Action Plan is a comprehensive effort to strengthen early warning systems across Africa. By focusing on monitoring, capacity building, communication, and community engagement, the initiative aims to enhance disaster preparedness, increase public awareness, and promote regional cooperation.” said Mami Mizutori, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, and head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).
Anglian Water is investing more than £156 m to protect and enhance the environment and as part of its Get River Positive programme
Anglian Water is investing £7 million (more than €8 million) in 16 river restoration schemes across the region, that will improve drought resilience and restore rivers to their natural shape.
The schemes make up part of the water company’s wider Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) and will help to improve the environment by returning sections of the river to a more natural state.
Anglian Water’s River Restoration Scheme is doing the all-important work of ‘re-wiggling’ the rivers to restore their natural shape and improve the flow of water. This can be done by using gravel and large woody debris to recreate the natural state of the river. Over time these features will embed into the riverbank, creating more energy through the channel alongside other features like riffles and pool sequences.
This work will help make the rivers more resilient during dry conditions and mean the water company can still take water for customer’s supply, while enhancing and protecting the environment at the same time.
This work is being carried across six catchment areas, benefitting a total of 16 rivers across the region. Across East Anglia, work will take place in rivers across Suffolk, Norfolk, Buckinghamshire and Lincolnshire. In Suffolk, work will be carried in the Lark catchment at points in Tuddenham, Cavenham, Linnet, Lee Brook and Kennet Lee Brook. In Norfolk, work will be carried out along Heacham River and Gaywood
River in North West Norfolk. Old Carr, Gadder and Stringside Stream in Wissey, as well as Sapiston River and Stowlangtoft River in Little Ouze and Thet. In Buckinghamshire, work will be carried out along the Broughton Brook in Milton Keynes. In Lincolnshire, work will be carried out along the East and West Glen Rivers. And along the border of Worcestershire, work will be carried out on the The Gwash in Welland Upper.
John Bolton, WINEP Project Manager said: “Environmental prosperity is at the heart of everything we do. We’re always looking for new and innovative ways to support nature and protect the environment.”
Protecting and improving the environment is a fundamental part of the water company’s purpose. This year, Anglian Water is investing more than
£156 m (€182 million) to protect and enhance the environment and as part of its Get River Positive programme the water company has promised to enhance its rivers and create new habitats so wildlife can thrive.
Protecting and restoring rivers to their natural state forms a fundamental part of the programme. Alongside physical work being carried out to restore rivers to their natural state, Anglian Water is working with local river groups to improve river water quality across the region through a rigorous water quality monitoring programme.
All projects are currently at various stages of design and delivery, with schemes beginning construction towards the end of this year. Anglian Water is expecting all schemes to be completed and delivered by December 2024.
The Thames Barrier, located across the River Thames in London, is a masterpiece of modern engineering and design, conceived as a response to the city's vulnerability to tidal surges.
Completed in 1982, the Thames Barrier is a retractable barrier system that consists of ten steel gates that span 520 metres across the river. When raised, the main gates stand as high as a 5-storey building. These gates are normally left open, allowing river traffic to pass freely. The barrier's primary purpose is to safeguard London from surging tides, preventing flooding. Barrier closure is triggered by a combination of high tides forecast in the North Sea and high river flows.
The infamous North Sea flood of 1953 prompted discussions about the need for such a protective structure. Over
time, the barrier has been an essential defence mechanism against multiple high-tide events. A recent update to the Thames Estuary 2100 Plan, a long term strategy to manage the risk of flooding in London and throughout the estuary, found the Thames Barrier continues to be effective as part of the broad flood defence system, though options to adapt to sea level rise by the end of the century include upgrading it.
As climate change continues to amplify the risk of flooding in coastal cities worldwide, the Thames Barrier serves as an example of how human innovation can mitigate its impacts. However, it also underscores the ongoing challenge of adapting to a changing climate. With sea levels rising at an accelerated pace, the Thames Barrier's role becomes even more vital.
Globally, women and girls bear the brunt of the water and sanitation crisis. That is a major finding of the report “Progress on household drinking water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) 2000-2022: Special focus on gender”, released by UNICEF and WHO last July. Smart Water Magazine had the opportunity to interview Tom Slaymaker, UNICEF Senior Adviser, Statistics and Monitoring (WASH), about the highlights of the first in-depth analysis of gender inequalities in WASH.
Please tell us briefly about your career path and your current role at UNICEF. I work in the Data and Analytics Section at UNICEF Headquarters and manage the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme, which is responsible for global monitoring of progress on drinking water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). I’ve been working on water and sanitation issues for 25 years, and before joining UNICEF, I worked for a global think tank (Overseas Development Institute) and an international NGO (WaterAid).
What would you highlight from the report “Progress on household drinking water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) 2000-2022: Special focus on gender”?
The report provides an update on progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal targets for universal access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene by 2030. Globally, in 2022, 73 per cent of households had access to safely managed drinking water, 57 per cent had safely managed sanitation, and 75 per cent had proper hygiene.
But this still means that many children and families are left behind. Globally, 2.2 billion people – 648 million children – still lack safely managed drinking water at home, and 3.4 billion people – 1.04 billion children – do not have safely managed sanitation. And 2 billion people – 594 million children –cannot wash their hands with soap and water at home.
The report also highlights the fact that women and girls bear the brunt of the water and sanitation crisis. The data show that women and adolescent girls are responsible for fetching water in 7 out of 10 households without supplies on-premises and spend more time on the task each day than their male counterparts. Women and girls are more likely to feel unsafe using a toilet outside the home and are disproportionately affected by the lack of handwashing facilities.
Unsafe WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) services perpetuate cycles of poverty. Designing and implementing WASH programmes that address the specific needs of women, girls and other vulnerable groups is key to reaching universal access to water and sanitation, but also to achieving gender equality and empowerment.
Z Cristina Novo Pérez
“Additional effort is needed to monitor gender inequalities in WASH systematically and to tailor interventions”
UNICEF SENIOR ADVISER, STATISTICS AND MONITORING (WASH)© UNICEF/UN0764380/Franco. Ramiane Health Center, Itoculo Locality, Monapo District, Nampula Province, Mozambique. Mariamo Jorge, 19 years old, with her 9-month old daughter Helena Assane.
Billions of people have gained access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene services since 2000. In the context of long-term trends (looking back at the 20th century), has the rate of progress increased or decreased? Can progress ever catch up with the global population increase?
Between 2000 and 2022, the global population increased from 6.1 billion to 8 billion. The report shows that billions of people have gained access to WASH services during this period, and the number of people still lacking services has steadily decreased.
Since 2000, 2.1 billion have gained access to safely managed drinking water, 2.5 billion have gained safely
managed sanitation, and 1 billion people have gained basic hygiene services since 2015.
However coverage and rates of change vary widely between regions and countries. The data show that while rural coverage has increased rapidly, urban coverage has increased more slowly or stagnated due to urban population growth.
Furthermore, we are not progressing fast enough to meet the SDG global targets. Achieving universal access by 2030 will require a sixfold increase in current rates of progress for safely managed drinking water, a fivefold increase for safely managed sanitation and a threefold increase for basic hygiene services.
The report recognises the links between SDG 5 on gender equality and SDG 6 on water and sanitation. Should there be more of a focus on these links as part of actions to move forward the 2030 Agenda?
The importance of progress on drinking water, sanitation and hygiene in realising gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls is widely recognised, but there is a lack of commonly agreed indicators to monitor progress on gender-related aspects of water, sanitation, and hygiene at national and global levels. This report focuses on gender and aims to draw attention to the issue.
For example, the report highlights countries facing the biggest challenges in improving the accessibility of drinking water on-premises and within 30 minutes. It uses harmonised data from 50 low- and middle-income countries to analyse who is responsible for fetching drinking water among households that still collect water from supplies located off-premises and the amount of time spent per day by women and girls and men and boys in different countries.
It also identifies countries that still have high rates of open defecation and use of shared sanitation facilities, which present specific challenges for women and girls. It shows that while shared sanitation is decreasing in many countries, in such situations, women are more likely to feel unsafe when walking alone at night and may face a higher risk of sexual harassment and other dangers while using the toilet.
The report identifies countries where many households still have no handwash-
"WASH services rural coverage has increased rapidly, but urban coverage has increased more slowly or stagnated due to urban population growth"
ing facility, disproportionately impacting women and girls who remain primarily responsible for domestic chores. It also includes an in-depth analysis of inequalities in menstrual health among women and adolescent girls in 53 low- and middle-income countries.
The report provides a first in-depth analysis of the inequalities and vulnerabilities women and girls face in accessing safe WASH, but additional effort is needed to monitor gender inequalities in WASH systematically and to tailor interventions and policies to empower women and girls by addressing their specific needs and challenges.
What was involved in the JMP/GLASS gender review in relation to SDG WASH targets, and what was the purpose of this review?
The purpose of the JMP/GLAAS gender review is to identify opportunities for enhanced monitoring of gender in rela-
tion to SDG WASH targets. We worked with Emory University to create an inventory of existing indicators and tools and held a series of expert meetings to assess their suitability for monitoring different dimensions of gender equality. We are currently holding consultations on a short list of priority indicators that can be progressively integrated into national monitoring systems and included in future global reports.
Global coverage of basic hygiene services has increased since 2022, but coverage has actually decreased in urban areas in sub-Saharan Africa. How can this setback be explained? Between 2015 and 2022, 25 million people gained access to basic hygiene services in urban areas of sub-Saharan Africa. But over the same period, the urban population has increased by 120 million, which means that services are not keeping pace with population growth, and so urban coverage of basic hygiene services has decreased from 36% to 32%.
What are the barriers to prioritising WASH investment in development aid funding? Should there be more of a spotlight on poor progress to force increased progress and investment?
The UN-Water Global Analysis and Assessment of Drinking Water and Sanita-
tion (GLAAS) analyses trends in WASH sector financing. The 2022 report shows that both the total amount and the share of official development assistance going to WASH are decreasing and that most of the future investment required will need to come from national governments. But among the 120 countries reporting to GLAAS in 2022, three quarters had insufficient funds to implement their WASH plans and strategies, and less than
Achieving universal access by 2030 will require a sixfold increase in current rates of progress for safely managed drinking water
"We lack agreed indicators to monitor progress on genderrelated aspects of water, sanitation, and hygiene at national and global levels"
one-third had sufficient human resources required to carry out key drinking water, sanitation and hygiene functions.
How is climate change expected to impact progress on access to WASH services in the coming years?
Climate change is making it even more challenging to extend WASH services to unserved populations and to keep existing WASH services running, and the ef-
fects are already being felt in many countries around the world.
Altered precipitation patterns can lead to water scarcity, causing difficulty obtaining clean water for drinking and hygiene, while flooding can damage infrastructure and contaminate water sources. Poor water quality and sanitation challenges can result from increased concentrations of pollutants due to higher temperatures and runoff during heavy rainfall. Consequent-
ly, this can heighten the risk of waterborne diseases and health issues, particularly in marginalised communities. Displacement and migration due to climate-related events can also disrupt access to WASH services, leading to further challenges in ensuring hygiene and health.
UNICEF is working closely with governments worldwide to strengthen the resilience of water and sanitation services to climate-related shocks and stresses.
The Run Blue campaign ran for a year leading up to the UN 2023 Water Conference that took place in March 2023. What were your thoughts on the outcome of the event? What would you like to see happen next?
The UN Water Conference was a landmark moment. It shone a bright spotlight on the world’s worsening water crisis – and showed that water is central to everything. And it built unprecedented momentum for action. Some people have focused on the insufficient commitments – and it’s true that the pledges made by governments and businesses were not enough to tackle the water crisis – but they are missing the bigger picture.
Thirst Foundation, founded by Mina Guli in 2012, is a non-profit organization dedicated to implementing innovative initiatives for water-related action.
The first thing that struck me when speaking to Mina Guli, Founder and CEO of Thirst Foundation, for this interview, was the positive light she shone on the current water crisis. While acknowledging there is still a lot to do, she also emphasised the many possible solutions that already exist and are being implemented worldwide. She has heard of these first-hand as she has travelled around the world running more than 200 marathons in order to bring attention to this global issue. Passionate about advocating for water protection, Guli is also a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader and one of Fortune Magazine’s 50 greatest leaders in the world.
Can you tell us briefly about your career path and your current role?
Following a successful 15-year career in law, finance and climate change, I woke up to water: I realized there was a global water crisis and that it was largely invisible. Not to the people living on the frontline of the crisis, but it wasn’t on the TV news or on the front page of newspapers. Nor was it on the list of priorities for people in the corridors of political,
corporate or financial power. This had to change if we were ever going to tackle the crisis. Water doesn’t come from a tap, it comes from rivers, wetlands and lakes; we need to protect and maintain these water resources not just for ourselves, but also for future generations.
So I set out to make a difference by doing something different – running crazy distances to raise awareness and inspire action. Since then, I have spoken to countless people on the frontlines of the water crisis and each person reinforces the need for me to do what I can to share their stories with decision makers in politics and business, amplify their demands for action and drive transformational change.
As a water advocate and ultra-runner, I’m committed to doing whatever I can to make a difference in the world – like running 200 marathons in one year for water as part of our Run Blue campaign. And it did make a difference – raising awareness, driving action and building the biggest global grassroots movement on water in history, with people from 202 countries and territories stepping up for water as part of our global runs. But there is much more to do...
There had not been a global water conference for almost 50 years – longer than most people on Earth have been alive. It brought together governments, businesses, financial institutions, civil society, representatives of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, women and youth – all to talk about their water challenges and how those were undermining their food and energy security, their livelihoods, and the global efforts to tackle the climate and nature crises. And it made a very loud and clear call to accelerate action.
That is what needs to happen next –the world needs to urgently and drastically scale up action on water. We need governments and businesses to fulfil the commitments they made in New York – and we need more of them to make pledges and then take the steps to achieve real change.
Critically, the world needs to invest in protecting and restoring healthy fresh-
“Tackling the water crisis is central to achieving all the Sustainable Development Goals’”
Z Olivia Tempest
"As a water advocate and ultra-runner, I’m committed to doing whatever I can to make a difference, like running 200 marathons in one year"
water ecosystems – particularly rivers. For far too long, decision makers have treated rivers as pipes, prioritising only the water that flows down them – not all the other diverse benefits of healthy rivers that are critical for the health of people and planet. We cannot solve the world’s water crisis without building more resilient river basins – and we can only do that if governments, businesses and communities work together. And if people are aware of the importance of healthy rivers – how they underpin societies and economies.
The UN Water Conference created real momentum – around water management and infrastructure but also around protecting, restoring and sustainably managing our rivers and other freshwater ecosystems. We need to turn this momentum into action – so keep your eyes peeled for the next phase of Run Blue.
What are some successful examples of partnerships between governments, NGOs, and the private sector that have led to significant improvements in water and sanitation, aligned with SDG 6? There are lots of positive efforts to showcase and scale up - and that is another aim of our Run Blue campaign: to raise awareness not just about water challenges but also highlight solutions.
I have met entrepreneurs and scientists who are creating innovative crops to better cope with drought, water experts and conservationists who are helping to protect and restore rivers, lakes
and wetlands. I’ve met young people determined to act and make a difference. And politicians and business leaders who are prioritizing water.
I’ve seen communities come together to set up systems that encourage each other to be proud of their newfound access to water and are part of the process from installation to repairs so their sense of pride in their water system means that they self-sustain and ensure it is up and running and are held accountable. The sense of ownership means that they take much better care of the mechanisms and have the know-how and contacts needed in case there are any issues that need to be fixed.
The reality is there is no lack of solutions across the world - but there is a lack of awareness of the scale and urgency of the crisis and a lack of will to take the steps necessary to implement, replicate and scale up the solutions.
What innovations did you encounter on your Run Blue journey?
There are so many innovations – from more efficient irrigation to innovations in crops themselves, from Nature-based Solutions to new water tech start-ups and innovative finance. Innovations are the least of our problems. What we need is action – and that includes investing in innovations that will make a sustainable difference, but it also means investing in the hard – but less exciting and more traditional – work of improving governance and water management. And it means doing what might sound innovative to many people – investing in nature, in protecting and restoring our rivers, lakes, wetlands and aquifers.
How can education and awareness campaigns for water action contribute to achieving SDG 6 targets and foster a culture of sustainability?
Awareness is the first step to action. Everyone knows how important water is, especially the billions of people on the
"The reality is there is no lack of solutions across the world - but there is a lack of awareness of the scale and urgency of the water crisis"
frontlines of the water crisis. But most decision makers are still blinded when it comes to water. They do not seem to grasp that tackling the water crisis – too little, too much and too dirty – is not just about SDG6 but is central to achieving all the Sustainable Development Goals. In particular, they do not seem
to see that the ongoing degradation of our rivers, lakes and wetlands is at the heart of the water crisis and investing in healthy freshwater ecosystems is central to driving change. This is why I run. And talk at major fora. And meet political and business leaders week after week. To open their eyes to water risks and solu-
tions – to share stories of people on the frontlines of the water crisis so they are inspired to take the hard steps needed to tackle the water crisis.
Getting companies and individuals to join one of your campaigns is just the beginning. How do you keep them engaged and supporting water action in the long run?
We keep them engaged by:
J Showcasing the problem and highlighting solutions: Stories that inspire and connect.
J Raising global awareness (3.5 billion media impressions with coverage in major news outlets) and asking people to join our movement: we built the biggest global grassroots movement on water in history.
J Convening events with business, community and government leaders.
J Delivering real change: Companies committing to real, measurable change in supply chains that directly and indirectly represent 20% of global water use.
Another aim of our Run Blue campaign is to raise awareness not just about water challenges but also highlight possible solutions
Last summer the UN released The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023: Special Edition , the official report that monitors global progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with the latest available data and estimates, highlighting where acceleration is needed.
Z Cristina Novo Pérez“The SDGs are the universally-agreed road map to bridge economic and geopolitical divides, restore trust and rebuild solidarity”, reminds us António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, in his foreword to the SDG Report 2023. Furthermore, he cautions that failing to make progress will affect us all: “No country can afford to see the 2030 Agenda fail”, and calls for a deep reform of the international financial architecture.
It is in this context that we take a look at the report’s findings for Sustainable Development Goal 6, clean water and sanitation for all. It does not come as a surprise that, despite progress, billions of people still lack access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene. And universal coverage will not be achieved by 2030 unless
there is a steep increase in the rate of progress: sixfold for drinking water, fivefold for sanitation and threefold for hygiene. While the proportion of the global population with access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene has increased between 2015 and 2022, these improvements in access happened in rural settings, while in urban areas, access remained largely unchanged or decreased. This points to a trend where services cannot keep pace with population growth in urban areas.
If we look at water quality and the proportion of wastewater that undergoes treatment, we see limited progress. About 58 per cent of domestic wastewater was safely treated in 2022, but there are important gaps in data. In terms of water quality data from water bodies, 97 countries reported that 60 per cent of assessed water bodies showed good ambient water quality, and 44 per cent of countries with robust monitoring systems reported improvements, but overall lack of monitoring data is a significant problem both for surface and for groundwater bodies.
There have been improvements in water use efficiency of 9 per cent worldwide;
this indicator tracks the value added in US dollars per volume of water used in cubic metres by a given economic activity over time, and thus allows countries to assess to what extent their economic growth depends on the use of their water resources. The greatest increase in water-use efficiency (20 per cent from 2015) was experienced by the agriculture sector, and further improvements will require more efficient irrigation, tackling leakages in distribution networks and optimizing industrial processes.
Rising water stress, which accounts for all freshwater withdrawals relative to total freshwater resources, is high in parts of the world. About 2.4 billion people lived in water-stressed countries in 2020, and the situation is particularly concerning in Western Asia and Northern Africa. The
Universal water services coverage will not be achieved by 2030 unless there is a steep increase in the rate of progress© UNICEF/UN0775639/Apochi Owoicho. Pupils of LGEA primary school Ibila - Alukpo in Oju local government area of Benue state learning the process of handwashing. The water used in the school is from a borehole drilled by UNICEF.
challenges of water stress are compounded by conflicts and climate change. Integrated management of water resources across sectors is critical to achieving water-related targets under most of the other SDGs. Moreover, there are increased calls to recognize the links between water and climate, to build climate resilience. There has been global progress on integrated water resource management between 2017 and 2020: 44 countries are close to the target and 22 countries have proved that real and rapid progress is possible. However, the average rate of implementation is insufficient to meet the target and acceleration is urgently needed in South and Central America, the Caribbean, Oceania, South and Central Asia, and Central and West Africa. Concerning transboundary coop-
eration, much remains to be done to ensure shared water bodies are covered by operational arrangements by 2030. The incorporation of transboundary aquifers into these basin arrangements is a particular challenge, and groundwater provides almost 50 per cent of all drinking water, 40 per cent of water for agriculture, and about a third of the water for industry.
Concerning the protection and restoration of water-related ecosystems, the report warns that the extent of surface water bodies is changing rapidly, and one in five river basins has experienced above-natural fluctuations in surface water over the past five years. Most worrisome is the disappearance of wetland ecosystems, which have suffered an 85 per cent loss in the past three centuries, mostly due to drainage and land
conversion. Unsustainable use and inappropriate management of wetlands results in loss of ecosystem services such as protecting water quality and preventing flooding, and wetlands also have an important role in climate mitigation as carbon sinks.
Lastly, the report highlights a decline in the amount of water- and sanitation-related official development assistance (ODA), which went down by 15 per cent, from US$9.6 billion to US$8.1 billion between 2015 and 2021. ODA commitments have also decreased every year after peaking at US$13.5 billion in 2017. This was partly a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, when there were changes in the prioritization of sectors. Furthermore, only 29 per cent of countries reported a high alignment between donor funds and national water sector plans in 2021.
The UN report identifies some key strategies to get Goal 6 back on track: increasing sector-wide investment and capacity-building, promoting innovation and evidence-based action, enhancing cross-sectoral coordination and cooperation among all stakeholders, and adopting a more integrated and holistic approach to water management. The reality check on progress on the 2030 Agenda shows significant challenges across the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, with moderate or significant deviations from the desired trajectory. This 2023 assessment calls for accelerated efforts and renewed commitment from Heads of State and Government, while recognising that data demand for the 2030 Agenda has led to significant strides in data accessibility and effective use.
The SDG Report 2023 report highlights a decline in the amount of water- and sanitation-related official development assistance
to formulate an enabling environment roadmap and a monitoring & evaluation framework for nationwide roll-out.
The technical assistance relied on the involvement and the indigenous knowledge of a wide range of stakeholders such as the Africa Rice Center, Community of Hope Agriculture Project, Climate Resilient Rice Production Project in West AFRICA (RICOWAS), Liberia Rice Farmers Cooperation, civil society, and members of farmers’ cooperatives.
In Liberia, rainfed agriculture has always been the predominant system to secure food and livelihoods, especially for the production of rice, Liberia’s main staple food.
Recent changes in climate and weather seasonality, with new patterns exacerbated by either floods or droughts, are calling for innovative solutions to secure the livelihood of Liberian farming communities as well as increase production to respond to the heavy dependence on imported staples.
A recent report of The World Bank highlights the gaps and constraints on rice production in Liberia, pointing at “limited access to technology, inefficient farming practices, low public and private investments, and a fragmented value chain, among other factors contributing to low productivity”. These gaps lead
to an increase in imported rice prices, which continues to fuel food insecurity, poverty, and vulnerabilities in Liberia.
Securing water, irrigation, and innovative practices in rice production is crucial for Liberia to create resilient agriculture, cater to the national market, and pave the way to sustainable development.
The Environmental Protection Agency and the Ministry of Agriculture of Liberia reached out to the UN Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) to pilot innovative irrigation solutions to produce rice. CTCN, through its network partners CARES Group Limited and INTEGRATION
environment & energy GmbH, introduced Solar Powered Irrigation Systems (SPIS) technology as part of a System of Rice Intensification (SRI) pilot in the county of Bong, using the lessons learnt
Traditionally, lacking access to irrigation technologies, farmers in the area were able to grow a single crop of rice when their fields flooded during the rainy season. With the adoption of Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) technology and water management technique, lowland rice can be cultivated and irrigated with much less water than the traditional system of maintaining continuous standing water in the crop field.
The new method consists of controlled and intermittent irrigation, following a periodic drying and re-flooding irrigation schedule in which the fields are allowed to dry for a few days before re-irrigation, without stressing the plants. Water usage is decreased by applying crop targeted drip irrigation thus ensuring sustainable use of the available surface or ground water resources. To avoid the high cost of electricity, the irrigation technique has been coupled with Solar Powered Irrigation Systems (SPIS), which, during the dry season, allows farmers to pump from existing water storages.
Saudi Arabia has announced the establishment of a Global Water Organization, to be headquartered in Riyadh. According to a press release by the Saudi Press Agency, the new body will integrate and enhance global efforts to achieve water sustainability.
The launch of the new organization underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to solve water supply challenges on a global scale. Saudi Arabia plays an important role in ensuring water issues are a high priority in the global agenda
and has allocated more than $6 billion development aid funds to water and sanitation projects all over the world.
The new organization will collaborate with countries to address their water challenges and prioritise water projects on their national agendas. As part of its activities, it envisages the exchange of expertise and advanced technologies to promote innovation in water resource management. High-priority projects will be funded to achieve universal access to water resources and manage them sustainably.
Ecolab developed the Ecolab Watermark Study to identify trends, help educate and generate action across industry stakeholders
Ecolab announced findings from the inaugural Ecolab Watermark™ Study. The global consumer research examined the state of water stewardship through water’s importance, usage, connection to climate and responsibility among key consumer populations around the world.
By 2030, the planet is set to face a 56% water deficit, according to the World Resources Institute, and 1.6 billion people will lack safely managed drinking water, according to the UN. It’s amid this pressing water crisis that Ecolab developed
the Ecolab Watermark Study. Among its findings, the study uncovered several water-related trends:
Access to clean and safe water is a paramount concern for consumers in every region. Latin America (92%), China (85%) and the U.S. (81%) have the highest percentage of consumers who are more concerned about access to clean and safe water than other climate-related issues, such as pollution or climate change.
Consumers hold governments and businesses most responsible for water
Assistant professor of environmental engineering at King Saud University Sattam Al-Mojil told Arab News that, although there are numerous international organizations dedicated to the water sector, they work within specific areas, while the current situation needs an international body that is more comprehensive in nature. It should address aspects like research, innovation, and technology development, as well as financing, policy and regulation, among other elements involved in water sustainability.
conservation. However, consumers do not believe these leaders care enough about their impact on water or climate change. This was most pronounced in the U.S., Europe, Latin America and Asia/ Pacific, where between 42% and 46% of people believed their leaders cared.
Consumers believe that industry has no clear plan to address water scarcity, despite the perceived responsibility and importance. This concern is most evident in China (82%), Latin America (78%), and IMEA (78%).
For more than 160 years, SUEZ has been proactive in delivering crucial services that safeguard and enhance the overall quality of life. The France-based company empowers its customers to ensure accessible water services by providing innovative solutions. For the firm, communication plays a major role in each one of its projects. Frederick Jeske-Schoenhoven, SUEZ Chief Strategy, Sustainability, Marketing and Communication Officer, Executive Vice-President, spoke to SWM about this topic and the importance of informing and educating the population about water resources, using the latest tools at our disposal, including social networks.
Z Olivia TempestHow do you think communication in the water sector has evolved in recent years?
I see two major changes in the way the water sector, or at least water utilities, communicate with service users.
The first comes from new digital communication tools and the widespread use of social networks. Thanks to these new technologies and uses, we are able to inform people about water resources, educate them on eco-actions and quickly alert them in the event of any problems. We are also able through social listening to diagnose and troubleshoot issues early on.
The second development is the growing role of communication in our service contracts, to support the changes in behaviour needed to preserve water resources, which are becoming scarcer as a result of global warming.
Why do you think it is important to communicate about water?
Climate change and resource scarcity require a change of mindset and behaviour to save resources and avoid waste. We have a role to play to enable our customers to drive the ecological transition together with their end-users. That requires communication. Communication to explain the water cycle, how climate change can impact it and how every drop of water counts. Communication to give good advice on how we can limit water waste, how each gesture is important to reducing water consumption and how to better preserve nature. Communication to spread information on water quality to encourage people to drink tap water rather than expensive plastic bottled water!
Communication can also showcase that solutions do exist when it comes to eliminating micropollutants from water resources or producing drinking water from any resource including seawater or
used water. All these examples of communication can make users aware that high-quality water requires investment.
What are the most challenging aspects of communicating water-related business news?
Because water is vital and a public good, communication involving water and business can be tricky. Nevertheless, our mission is to successfully communicate the expertise, know-how, technologies, investments, and costs required, to deliver the best services for clean water quality to users' taps 24/7, and then to return it to the natural environment without causing damage.
Could you highlight one of your organization’s communication success stories?
We have developed an opensource app to inform anyone in France where they can find water points near his or her position, especially when
there are water shortages and water usage restrictions. We are also very proud of our communication initiative which has enabled us to take numerous children’s classes on educational virtual visits to water treatment facilities so they can understand how it works, the technology involved, and the importance of not wasting water.
Who or what organization inspires you when it comes to ways of communicating? Services companies, and utilities, be it public or private, or from all over the world. For instance, in Australia, at the beginning of 2000, they faced a severe drought in a country where people were used to using as much water as they liked to clean their cars, water their gardens and so on… Alongside regulations and technical solutions, communication campaigns have also been introduced to inform, educate and accompany a change in behaviours.
We have a role to play to enable our customers to drive the ecological transition together with their end-users that requires communication
OURBY: SWM TEAM
A hope for the future
Peter Gleick, Co-Founder of the Pacific Institute, walks us through the past, present and future of water in his new book. From the Big Bang to the Middle Ages, to our age of scientific and industrial revolution – a time of hard infrastructure and unintended consequences like climate change, to a third age, which could lead to a dystopian future, unless we act now.
TO ENJOY...
A quiet night
This song by R.E.M. talks about a group of friends that go skinny dipping at night. Band members have explained the inspiration for the lyrics in different ways; while Mike Mills said the lyrics are based on true events, Michael Stipe said the song is about a "kind of an innocence that's either kind of desperately clung onto or obviously lost."
From unemployed to environmental whistleblower
Erin Brockovich, played by Julia Roberts, who works in a lawyer's office, decides to investigate the case of some clients who become ill without knowing why. Based on a true story, her methods, almost always unorthodox, lead her to discover that the cause is contaminated groundwater with hexavalent chromium by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company.
Discover more at:
At ACCIONA we design innovative water treatment solutions to ensure universal water access and to guarantee that this resource is managed sustainably. We look after water as part of our commitment to the fight against the climate emergency.