Smart Water Magazine Print Edition 22

Meliá Avenida América, Madrid

September 17 - 19

SMART SOLUTIONS FOR WASTEWATER: REUSE, INNOVATION, AND DIGITAL EFFICIENCY

Dear readers,

Welcome to Issue 22 of Smart Water Magazine Print Edition. Focused on “Sanitation, Wastewater Treatment and Reuse,” this edition presents the latest insights on how innovation and sustainability are transforming the water sector.

We are thrilled to introduce a new roundtable format, focusing on water reuse in the United States. Industry leaders Ben Glickstein, Eva Steinle-Darling, and Peter Grevatt explore the evolution of water reuse, from agricultural irrigation to advanced potable applications, examining drivers like scarcity, regulatory changes, and sustainability goals.

Our cover story features an interview with Matt Stuyvenberg, Vice President of Software and Water Quality at Badger Meter. Stuyvenberg introduces the innovative BlueEdge™ platform, a suite of smart water solutions integrating advanced sensors, monitoring systems, and data analytics. BlueEdge™ is designed to optimize management practices, reduce non-revenue water, and enhance operational efficiency.

Addressing the global water sector’s challenges, companies like ACCIONA, Tedagua, and HRS Heat Exchangers are leading with advanced technological solutions. Raúl González discusses how digital transformation in asset management at ACCIONA is optimizing

resources and extending infrastructure lifespan. Tedagua is pioneering anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBR) and electrodialysis for nutrient recovery, while HRS Heat Exchangers is enhancing energy efficiency at Melbourne Water’s Eastern Treatment Plant with its Biogas Dehumidification System.

This edition features insights from Heidi Oriol on the Harvest Water Program in Sacramento County, which provides high-quality recycled water for agriculture and habitats, and Professor Peiying Hong from KAUST on treating sewage off-grid with AnMBR technology. Patricia Sinicropi, Executive Director of the U.S. WateReuse Association, elaborates on recent developments in water reuse, while Ken Sansone examines the economic burden of PFAS on U.S. water systems and the role of litigation in cost recovery for utili-

PUBLISHER iAgua Conocimiento, S.L.

Calle López de Hoyos, 190 Entlo. B 28002 Madrid info@iagua.es

MANAGEMENT

Alejandro Maceira Rozados

David Escobar Gutiérrez

ties, alongside coverage of strategies to reduce storm overflow spills in England and Wales. Additionally, we interview Eliza Roberts from Microsoft on achieving water positivity by 2030 and Craig Sheridan on Johannesburg’s water supply challenges, and Dr. Nerina Di Lorenzo discusses Melbourne Water’s investment in sustainable sewage treatment.

This issue is filled with technical insights, explorations of the latest wastewater treatment and reuse technologies, and expert opinions highlighting the innovative strides in our industry. As we navigate these complexities, it is clear that innovation and sustainability are key to overcoming the challenges ahead.

Thank you for being part of this journey.

AlejAndro MAceirA - Director SWM D @amaceira - E @AlejandroMaceiraiAgua

EDITOR

Alejandro Maceira Rozados

EDITORIAL STAFF

Olivia Tempest Prados

Cristina Novo Pérez

Laura Fernández Zarza

Blanca María Álvarez Román ADVERTISING

Javier de los Reyes

ART AND GRAPHIC DESIGN

Pablo González-Cebrián

Esther Martín Muñoz

PHOTOGRAPHY

Pablo González-Cebrián

Fotos iAgua

CONTENTS NUMBER 22 -

JUN/JUL 2024

INNOVATIVE WATER MANAGEMENT

Pg. 64 The Harvest Water Program in Sacramento County, led by Heidi Oriol, will provide high-quality recycled water for agriculture and habitats.

Pg. 22 Badger Meter enhances water management with advanced smart technologies, tackling utility challenges and promoting sustainability.

WATER REUSE IN THE U.S.

Pg. 14 A deep dive into water reuse in the U.S.: progress, challenges and future prospects, through the insights of three industry experts.

SMART MANAGEMENT FOR WATER ASSETS

Pg. 34 Discover how ACCIONA's digital strategies transform water network management with predictive maintenance and intelligent systems.

INGEDRIVETM

CONTENTS NUMBER 22 - JUN/JUL 2024

TREATING SEWAGE OFF-GRID

Pg. 50 Professor Peiying Hong of KAUST discusses AnMBR technology, offering sustainable and energy-efficient wastewater treatment for reuse.

PFAS’ IMPACT ON WATER SYSTEMS

Pg. 40 Ken Sansone discusses the economic burden of PFAS on U.S. water systems and the role of litigation in cost recovery for utilities.

ASK THE EXPERT SECURING WATER INFRASTRUCTURE NOW

Pg. 96 Explore the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity in water systems, addressing vulnerabilities and collaborative solutions.

BOOSTING ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Pg. 54 Melbourne Water's Eastern Treatment Plant improved energy efficiency and reduced emissions with HRS's Biogas Dehumidification System.

FEATURE

ADVANCED WASTEWATER TREATMENT

Pg. 46 Tedagua is leading the way towards sustainability and efficiency with technologies such as AnMBR, methanation, and electrodialysis

INTERVIEW

WATER REUSE TAKES THE STAGE

Pg. 42 We interview Patricia Sinicropi, Executive Director of the U.S. WateReuse Association, to learn about recent developments in this field.

OPINION

THE TITANIC PFAS CHALLENGE

Pg. 41 Bluefield Research analysts explore the road ahead for countries to address PFAS, a key focus for the water and wastewater sector.

INTERVIEW

MICROSOFT’S WATER STEWARDSHIP

Pg. 100 Smart Water Magazine interviews Eliza Roberts, Water Lead at Microsoft, about the firm’s initiatives to achieve water positivity by 2030.

INTERVIEW

FUTURE-PROOFING SMART METERING

Pg. 90 Iain Fry discusses the current landscape of smart meter integration in the UK water industry and the future opportunities and trends.

FEATURE

CHALLENGES AROUND STORM OVERFLOWS

Pg. 68 A look at innovative strategies and major projects aimed at reducing storm overflow spills and their impacts in England and Wales.

OPINION

ADVANCED WATER CYCLE SIMULATION

Pg. 111 High-resolution Earth observation and advanced simulations are advancing water management, addressing climate impacts and extreme events.

INTERVIEW

GREEEN SOLUTIONS FOR WATER SECURITY

Pg. 82 Severn Trent's innovative Green Recovery Programme invests in sustainable solutions and advanced technologies for future water security.

CONTENTS

NUMBER 22 - JUN/JUL 2024

22 - JUN/JUL 2024

OPINON

WATER GOVERNANCE IN JOHANNEBURG

Pg. 107 Prof. Craig Sheridan explores the city’s water supply challenges and the urgent need for sustainable water management solutions.

INTERVIEW

XYLEM’S INNOVATIONS IN WATER TECH

Pg. 58 Snehal Desai of Xylem discusses advanced water solutions, focusing on PFAS mitigation, digital transformation, and sustainability.

PIONEERING

INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCING

Pg. 78 The WIFIA program’s role in advancing U.S. water infrastructure through innovative funding for largescale complex water projects.

THE MAGAZINE FOR THE KEY PLAYERS OF THE WATER SECTOR

#SWM22

PLANET-FRIENDLY SEWAGE TREATMENT

Pg. 74 Nerina Di Lorenzo discusses Melbourne Water's investment in sustainable sewage treatment, enhancing capacity and environmental benefits.

WASTEWATER AND GLOBAL HEALTH

Pg. 89 Professor Gertjan Medema is recognized with the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize 2024 for his contributions to wastewater-based epidemiology.

INTERVIEW

IMPACT INVESTMENT MEETS WATER

Pg. 112 Paul O’Connell and Marlene Hormes discuss WaterEquity's mission to expand access to water and sanitation in emerging markets.

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.

DRAGAN SAVIC APPOINT

KWR CEO Dragan Savic has decided to step down from his role. He is handing over his position to deputy director Mariëlle van der Zouwen and will remain at KWR as a global advisor digital sciences. Mariëlle will assume the role of CEO ad interim for up to nine months.

Dragan Savic, CEO at KWR since 2018, will continue as a global advisor on digital sciences at our research institute. In this role, he will further advance the applied research in digital sciences for KWR. He will also mentor early career researchers on this topic.

Prof. Dragan Savic FREng, said: “Working alongside some of the best minds in water science has been both an honour and a privilege. Teamwork, collaboration, co-creation and commitment to excellence have been the key to our success and the highlights of my leadership role.”

The Supervisory Board thanks Dragan Savic for the development KWR has undergone under his leadership and is pleased that he remains with the institute in his new role as an international ambassador for KWR.

The shareholders have on the recommendation of the Supervisory Board, appointed Mariëlle van der Zouwen as CEO ad interim from 1 June 2024 for up to nine months. The KWR Works Council has also given a positive recommendation. The interim period will be used to develop a profile for and recruit a new CEO.

The Supervisory Board has every confidence that Mariëlle van der Zouwen will keep the organisation on track and continue its development

Mariëlle van der Zouwen has been with KWR since 2009 and has been a management team member since 2013. She leads the Sustainability & Transitions knowledge group.

DRAGAN SAVIC STEPS DOWN AS CEO OF KWR

MENTS

BRIAN EISENLOEFFEL

With a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, Brian Eisenloeffel has been appointed the firm’s new Vice President of Operations

Illinois American Water announces that Brian Eisenloeffel has been named the company’s new Vice President of Operations. In his role, Eisenloeffel leads the company’s Safety, Business Performance, Water Quality, Field Operations, Production, and Maintenance teams across the state.

Eisenloeffel brings more than 20 years of progressive leadership experience at Missouri American Water. He began his career at Missouri American Water in 2002 as an Engineer. Since then, he has supported the business in several roles including Operations Supervisor, Construction Manager, Senior Operations Manager and, most recently, as Senior Director of Operations in St. Louis County.

“I am excited that Brian has joined our leadership team,” said Rebella Losli, President, Illinois American Water. “He is a strong leader with a focus on customer service and a deep understanding of the important role we play in providing safe, clean, reliable, and affordable water and wastewater service to our customers. His keen insight into the importance of maintaining and updating our water and wastewater infrastructure will be a key to serving the long-term interests of our customers.”

Eisenloeffel has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Texas-San Antonio. He will lead the Operations team from the Illinois American Water Corporate office in Belleville.

American Water is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States dating back to 1886.

MARK THURSTON

MARK THURSTON TO BE APPOINTED AS ANGLIAN WATER CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Mark Thurston joins Anglian Water as new CEO with a focus on making sure the business is set up for success for the long term

ÁNGEL SIMÓN

ÁNGEL SIMÓN RESIGNS AS NON-EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN OF AIGÜES DE BARCELONA

Aigües de Barcelona, water utility company in Catalonia, Spain, embarks on a new phase without the leadership of Ángel Simón

The Board of Directors of Anglian Water announced the appointment of Mark Thurston as Group Chief Executive Officer Designate. Mark will join the business on 1 July 2024 and will be appointed to the board of both Anglian Water and Anglian Water Group Limited on 5 August at which point he will succeed Peter Simpson as Group Chief Executive Officer.

Mark is a highly experienced leader who, over more than 30 years, has held leadership roles for major infrastructure projects including the Olympics, Crossrail and most recently, High Speed Two (HS2), as well as playing a key role in the growth of engineering business CH2M. He was the longest serving CEO of HS2, the biggest infrastructure project in Europe. During his tenure he oversaw the development of an organisation and joint venture partnership model with the largest supply chain of any infrastructure project in the UK. With deep experience in both public and private sectors, Mark has a strong track record on projects requiring complex stakeholder engagement including high-profile regulatory and governmental interface.

Having started his career as a technician apprentice on the London Underground, Mark became a chartered engineer, honorary fellow of the Association for Project Management, and fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers.

As announced in October 2023, Peter Simpson will retire from the Board in August 2024, and will remain with the business as a Strategic Advisor.

Ángel Simón Grimaldos has resigned as non-executive chairman of Aigües de Barcelona. The move comes at a time of transition for Grimaldos, who was appointed CEO of CriteriaCaixa in January this year. CriteriaCaixa, the investment holding company of La Caixa Foundation, has been a shareholder of Aigües de Barcelona since 2014. The resignation comes “with the aim of assuming the position of Chief Executive with full dedication”.

Simón's resignation coincides with the recent publication in El Confidencial of a letter sent by the board of directors of Veolia Environnement, the largest shareholder of Aigües de Barcelona, in which they accuse CriteriaCaixa of disseminating erroneous information about a possible takeover of Agbar. In this letter, Veolia blames the holding company of La Caixa Foundation for being behind the publications suggesting that, after recent investments in Telefónica, ACS and Inmobiliaria Colonial, Simon Grimaldos’s next target would be Agbar. Helman le Pas de Sécheval, Secretary General of Veolia, warns in the letter that this alleged intention could be considered criminal.

According to El Economista, citing internal sources, no changes are foreseen in the board of Aigües de Barcelona or in CriteriaCaixa's stake in the company in the short term.

The resignation of Grimaldos, who took over as CEO of CriteriaCaixa in January and worked at Veolia until February this year, marks the end of an era at Aigües de Barcelona. The company now faces the challenge of embarking on a new phase without his leadership.

The Water Environment Federation (WEF) has appointed Ralph Erik Exton as its new Executive Director, effective July 15, 2024.

"The Board of Trustees is excited for Ralph to take the helm of WEF," said WEF Board President, Aimeé Killeen. "Ralph brings years of strategic leadership and business experience to the organization."

Exton joins WEF from Grundfos, where he served as the water utility vice president and chief marketing officer. Prior to his tenure at Grundfos, Exton accumulated nearly three decades of experience at other distinguished companies in the sector, including Suez, Veolia, and GE Water & Process Technologies.

Beyond his professional career, Exton has been a key WEF volunteer with over a decade of service. He served on WEF's Board of Trustees for five years, holding the position of Treasurer/Officer for three consecutive years and chairing the audit committee. Additionally, Exton was a member of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Board Committee and was nominated to join the WEF Circular Economy Advisory Committee. In recognition of his significant contributions, he was honoured with the esteemed WEF Fellow Award in October 2023 for his commitment to advancing the global water environment.

"I have been honoured to serve the WEF community for many years and have developed a passion for this organization," said Exton.

American Water, the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., announced that Stacy A. Mitchell has been named Executive Vice President and General Counsel. Mitchell replaces James H. Gallegos upon his retirement.

"While we wish Jim well as he begins his retirement, we are so pleased to have Stacy in this role," said M. Susan Hardwick, president and CEO of American Water. "With more than 25 years of experience in legal and regulatory work, Stacy is an excellent addition to our executive team. She has deep regulatory, litigation, business planning and strategy development expertise and has successfully led our multi-state regulatory and legal teams."

Mitchell most recently served as American Water's Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, where she led the company's regulatory strategy and the execution of overall companywide legal strategies.

Prior to joining American Water in 2019, Mitchell served as Vice President, Rates and Regulatory Affairs for SJI Utilities in Atlantic City, N.J. She also served in that capacity for SJI’s subsidiary, South Jersey Gas. Before joining SJI, Mitchell worked in private practice where she provided litigation, regulatory, and environmental counsel.

Mitchell serves as a member of the American Water Works Association's Water Utility Council and Council Treasurer.

Mitchell received her bachelor's degree in Science (Environmental Studies) from Stockton College and her Juris Doctor from Rutgers School of Law.

RALPH ERIK EXTON

RALPH ERIK EXTON APPOINTED NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF WEF

WEF begins the next phase of its strategic plan with the appointment of water veteran Ralph Erik Exton as new Executive Director

STACY MITCHELL

STACY MITCHELL NAMED EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL AT AMERICAN WATER

Stacy Mitchell has been appointed Executive Vice President and General Counsel, replacing James H. Gallegos upon his retirement

Water reuse stands at the intersection of technology, policy, and public trust. The journey from basic agricultural reuse to advanced potable applications highlights the adaptability and potential of this approach.

Water scarcity and quality issues have increasingly pushed the boundaries of traditional water management practices. Among the innovative solutions gaining traction is water reuse, a concept that has evolved from agricultural and industrial applications to potable water supply. To explore the evolution, policy advancements, technological readiness, and future trends in water reuse in the United States, Smart Water Magazine spoke with three leading experts: Ben Glickstein, Director of Communications at WateReuse Association; Eva Steinle-Darling, PhD, Water Reuse Technical Practice Director at Carollo Engineers; and Peter Grevatt, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of The Water Research Foundation.

Evolution of water reuse applications

Water reuse in the United States has evolved significantly over the years, expanding from basic agricultural and industrial us-

es to sophisticated applications, including direct potable reuse (DPR). Ben Glickstein emphasizes that water recycling can support diverse needs, from irrigating parks and farms to cooling systems in buildings and manufacturing plants, and even direct potable uses. “The important thing that we like to share is that no matter what your need is, there’s a way that water recycling can support that water need,” he notes.

Historically, the initial applications of recycled water were largely for agricultural irrigation and groundwater replenishment. Over the past decades, the scope has broadened significantly. Eva Steinle-Darling provides historical context, explaining that early forms of water reuse, like “sewage farms,” were primarily for disposal purposes. “Untreated wastewater was applied to agricultural fields because they didn’t know where else to put it,” she explains. Over time, these practices evolved into more intentional and regulated uses, such as groundwater replenishment and non-potable reuse in industrial settings

On the industrial side, water reuse has seen significant growth, driven by sustainability goals and water scarcity challenges. Steinle-Darling elaborates, “Most of the industrial reuse, which is exploding as a practice, is really focused on facility internal recycling efforts. In an effort as part of our industrial partners’ sustainability goals to lessen their water footprint, they take less water in from the outside and send less water out

Z Olivia Tempest - Z Cristina Novo Pérez

of their facility”. This shift is particularly notable in sectors like semiconductor manufacturing and beverage processing, where the implementation of advanced purification technologies allows for repeated reuse within the facility.

Peter Grevatt also emphasizes the expansion of water reuse in industrial applications. “There are increasingly recycled water uses within the industrial space, driven by the need to address water stress and ensure sustainable water supply for growing populations,” he notes. This trend reflects a broader shift towards sustainable water management practices across various sectors.

Drivers of water reuse

The drivers behind the increased adoption of water reuse practices are multifaceted. While water scarcity remains a primary motivator, other factors such as environmental sustainability, regulatory requirements, and corporate sustainability goals also play significant roles.

Glickstein points out that water scarcity has historically been a key driver: “The birth of water recycling was in some of these

very dry, arid communities where we were just looking for another water source”. However, he also highlights emerging drivers such as stormwater management and wastewater management, particularly in urban areas with aging infrastructure. “In New York City, the main driver for on-site water reuse systems in new buildings is not scarcity of water, but stormwater and wastewater management,” he explains. Insofar as new buildings can be more self-sufficient in treating and reusing the water internally, it can reduce the load on ageing infrastructure that’s in the ground. It is an interesting new application of on-site water reuse.

Grevatt emphasizes the role of population growth in water-stressed areas: “Many of the communities that have experienced the greatest water stress are also areas where the population is rapidly growing. This population growth in water-stressed areas is leading to an increase in the safe practices for water recycling”. He also mentions unique cases like the Hampton Roads Sanitation District, which uses water recycling to combat land subsidence in addition to providing a reliable water source

"Initially used for agricultural irrigation and groundwater replenishment, the scope of applications of recycled water has broadened significantly"

"On the industrial side, water reuse has seen significant growth, driven by sustainability goals and water scarcity challenges"

Steinle-Darling notes the shift from supply-side concerns to environmental protection as a driver: “We’re seeing reuse projects that are driven by discharging avoidance, trying to avoid the discharge of nutrients to sensitive water bodies. If I’m going to have to treat this water to such an extent, why would I put it in the ocean instead of reusing it for beneficial purposes?”

Another driver outside of scarcity is water quality. “As our understanding of new contaminants in water increases, some of the same suite of technologies that were established for water recycling become very appealing”, says Glickstein. Many of the advanced treatment technologies used in water recycling can be used to remove PFAS, so communities that weren’t looking to these technologies to recycle water are now considering them. “Once communities are cleaning their effluent with technologies like reverse osmosis or granular activated carbon, they might start exploring beneficial uses for that incredibly pure water,” he adds.

Policy and regulatory changes

Recent policy and regulatory changes have been pivotal in supporting water reuse and advancing circular economy principles. These changes, primarily at the state level, have provided the necessary framework for the expansion of water reuse practices, particularly direct potable reuse (DPR). Both

@González-Cebrián/SWM

Glickstein and Grevatt highlight the significance of state-level regulations in advancing DPR. Glickstein points out that states like Colorado and California have pioneered regulations facilitating DPR, a move that encourages other states to follow suit. “We’re seeing almost one state per year in the last few years grappling with the process to approve projects for direct potable reuse,” he says

Grevatt elaborates on the regulatory developments in California, noting the state’s comprehensive approach to setting guidelines and conducting extensive research to ensure safety and efficacy. “California's regulations are extraordinarily stringent. Not everyone will necessarily pick up what California has done, but it has contributed significantly to an understanding of what the key questions are that have to be answered, what goals need to be achieved. I think it will at least lay the groundwork for others to say, alright, we can build on what California has done and decide what's right for our state,” he observes .

Steinle-Darling adds that the repeal of prohibitions and the establishment of supportive policies are critical steps in enabling DPR projects. “We’ve seen a transition from the past 15 years or so when the National Research Council (NRC) considered the DPR solution of last resort. Now, at least a half dozen states have explicit rules or policies supporting the

development of DPR projects”. She notes that states like Arizona and Florida are also developing their regulations, driven by the demand from utilities and communities.

Technology readiness and contaminants of concern

The technological readiness of water recycling systems is well-established, with mature technologies capable of achieving the required water quality standards. Steinle-Darling asserts: “The technologies are there. I do not doubt in our capability to produce any particular water quality that we need to achieve”. These technologies include advanced treatment processes like reverse osmosis and granular activated carbon, which are essential for removing contaminants and ensuring the safety of recycled water.

Steinle-Darling emphasizes that the challenge now is making these technologies cost-efficient and practically operable. “We’re not the International Space Station; we’re not a semiconductor manufacturing facility that requires ultra-pure water. There are different levels of treatment goals we need to achieve for certain levels of use, and drinking water is certainly a very high-level standard, but it is not the highest that we have for water”. This perspective highlights that the existing technologies are more than capable of meeting the stringent standards required for potable reuse.

Grevatt supports this view, noting that the technologies are proven and reliable when properly operated and maintained. “We are confident that the technology is ready for water reuse operations, but it has to be operated properly and maintained in a very careful way by the utilities”. He points

Ben Glickstein Director of Communications at WateReuse Association

"In a water scarcity situation, reuse projects compare favourably against other new sources from an economic viability perspective"

out that The Water Research Foundation has a portfolio of over 250 research projects focusing on water reuse, which underscores the extensive research and development efforts supporting these technologies.

Concerns about contaminants, including PFAS, are central to discussions about water reuse. Both Glickstein and Steinle-Darling emphasize that advanced treatment technologies used in water recycling are effective in removing these contaminants. Glickstein reassures that “many of these technologies that are employed for advanced purification of recycled water are very similar to the ones being recommended for the removal and destruction of PFAS”

Steinle-Darling adds that the potable reuse sector is particularly well-equipped to handle PFAS, having monitored and treated for a broad range of emerging contaminants for over two decades. “Potable reuse is essentially ahead of the game as far as PFAS is concerned relative to the rest of the industry,” she states

Grevatt also highlights the effectiveness of these technologies in addressing emerging contaminants like PFAS. “The treatment train for water reuse operations, such as the one used by the Orange County Water District, is very effective in removing PFAS and other contaminants”. This capability positions water reuse systems ahead of many traditional drinking water treatment facilities in terms of dealing with new and emerging contaminants.

Eva

Steinle-Darling PhD, Water Reuse Technical Practice Director at Carollo Engineers

"While the technological readiness of water recycling systems is well-established, the challenge is making them cost-efficient and operable"

The economic viability of technologies

Implementing water reuse technologies involves substantial initial investments in advanced treatment systems, infrastructure, and operational capabilities. However, these costs must be weighed against the long-term benefits and cost savings that water reuse can provide.

Glickstein highlights the favorable comparison of water reuse projects to other new sources of water. “When you compare these various water reuse projects against other new sources of water in a water scarcity situation, reuse often compares really favorably from an economic viability perspective,” he explains. Traditional options such as building new dams, developing reservoirs, or desalination tend to be more expensive and less sustainable in the long term.

Steinle-Darling emphasizes the importance of making water reuse technologies cost-efficient and practically operable. “The real key is to make it cost-efficient and practically operable. We have various alternative approaches, but the projects are site-specific depending on your incoming water quality and regulatory requirements”. This perspective underscores the need for tailored solutions that meet specific local conditions and regulatory frameworks.

Grevatt supports this view, noting that the economic viability of water reuse is enhanced when considering the broader economic and environmental benefits. Grevatt highlighted the example of Hampton Roads: “[Water reuse] is also helping to reduce the land subsidence that has been occurring over

time in coastal Virginia. The combination of land subsidence and sea level rise is a very big problem for coastal areas, so here is another example where the utility is not only providing a reliable source of water for communities over time, but they are also helping to reduce the issue of land subsidence. These additional benefits contribute to the overall economic case for water reuse.

To make water reuse projects more economically viable, especially for smaller communities, increased funding and financial support are essential. Glickstein stresses the importance of government funding in overcoming the economic barriers to water reuse. “A lot of our focus at the WateReuse Association is on advocating for more government funding to make these projects financially viable”. Government grants, loans, and subsidies can significantly reduce the financial burden on communities looking to implement water reuse technologies.

Resource recovery from wastewater treatment

The potential for resource recovery from wastewater treatment plants is an exciting frontier in the realm of water reuse. Energy recovery from wastewater is one of the most prom-

"Energy recovery from wastewater is one of the most promising aspects of resource recovery, providing environmental and economic benefits"

ising aspects of resource recovery, providing significant environmental and economic benefits. Grevatt highlights several successful examples of energy recovery from wastewater treatment processes. “The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District and DC Water have extensive operations in place to recover energy from wastewater treatment”. These facilities use anaerobic digestion to produce biogas, which can be used to generate electricity and heat, thus reducing the overall energy footprint of the treatment process.

Anaerobic digestion is a key technology in this area, as it breaks down organic matter in the absence of oxygen, producing biogas — a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide. This biogas can be captured and used as a renewable energy source. “There are already lots of opportunities in this area, and I believe we will see growing potential for future expansion,” Grevatt adds.

@González-Cebrián/SWM

Steinle-Darling emphasizes the importance of adopting these technologies more widely. “ I think the real challenge for recovering the embedded energy in wastewater is the pace of adoption in our industry,” she notes. The infrastructure in many wastewater treatment plants is ageing, and integrating new technologies requires significant investment and planning. However, the benefits of energy recovery make it a worthwhile endeavour for many utilities.

In addition to energy, wastewater treatment plants can also recover valuable nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which are essential for agricultural use. Nutrient recovery not only helps to close the nutrient loop but also reduces the environmental impact of wastewater discharge.

Grevatt points out the extensive operations in place for nutrient recovery at facilities like The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage Districtand and DC Water. “These organizations are already recovering valuable resources like nutrients through their wastewater treatment processes,” he explains. Nutrients recovered from wastewater can be processed into fertilizers, which can then be used in agriculture, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers.

Steinle-Darling highlights the technological readiness of nutrient recovery processes. “There are many interesting technologies out there for nutrient recovery,” she says. Technologies such as struvite precipitation, which recovers phosphorus in a form that can be used as a slow-release fertilizer, are becoming more common in advanced wastewater treatment facilities.

The integration of energy and nutrient recovery into wastewater treatment plants exemplifies the principles of the circular economy, where waste streams are transformed into valuable resources. Glickstein underscores the importance of this holistic approach. “Many of our members and communities that are creating a water recycling project of any sort are becoming next-generation full reclamation facilities, where water reuse is part of a bigger story that involves energy generation and the reuse of biosolids for agriculture”

This comprehensive approach not only maximizes resource efficiency but also enhances the economic viability of water reuse projects. By recovering energy and nutrients, wastewater treatment plants can offset some of their operational costs and generate additional revenue streams.

Despite the clear benefits, integrating resource recovery technologies into existing wastewater treatment infrastructure presents challenges. Steinle-Darling points out that one of the

main hurdles is the age of current infrastructure. “We are still treating wastewater with technology from 20 years before I was born, so it’s really difficult to implement these newer technologies on a large scale”. Upgrading facilities to incorporate advanced resource recovery systems requires significant investment and long-term planning.

Public trust and acceptance

Building public trust and acceptance is a critical component of successful water reuse projects. Glickstein and Grevatt stress the importance of early and consistent community engagement. Glickstein advises starting public communication well before project implementation to build a foundation of understanding and support. “We’ve found that consistency, transparency, and clarity are all important and that public support will improve when the need is understood,” he asserts.

Glickstein emphasizes that public acceptance varies significantly across communities. “The degree to which a community understands the need for these projects or what goes into one of these projects really varies city by city”. In many communities that are now building potable reuse projects, community engagement started decades ago. “You start with concentric circles of trust building and identify strong community advocates that can understand the treatment technology and the benefits,” he explains.

Grevatt shares similar sentiments, highlighting the importance of community engagement in preventing misunderstandings and opposition. “Bringing school kids to facilities like the Orange County Water District helps build future workforce and public understanding,” he notes. These educational efforts are essential for fostering long-term support and acceptance of water reuse practices. Glickstein concurs, since projects often take 20 years from conception to construction, “the school children who you’re speaking to are maybe the people who are voting on the bond for the construction project”.

Steinle-Darling emphasizes the need for clear communication and the use of accessible language to convey the benefits and safety of water reuse projects. “Engineers often use incredibly inaccessible language, which can be interpreted as scary. You need to have a strong initial message about why the project is necessary,” she explains. This approach is crucial for addressing potential public concerns and building a foundation of trust and acceptance. She points to the generational shift towards greater acceptance of circular economy principles, driven by education and increasing awareness of environmental issues

Future outlook: opportunities and challenges

The landscape of water reuse in the United States is poised for significant changes over the next decade. As the country

grapples with increasing water scarcity, climate change, and the need for sustainable water management, advancements in technology, policy developments, and shifts in public attitudes will play crucial roles.

Glickstein anticipates that technological advancements and regulatory support will continue to drive the expansion of water reuse practices. “Technological advancements are going to continue to improve the viability of water recycling projects, which will hopefully allow access to more and more communities,” he predicts. He expects an acceleration in water reuse because of regulatory support. Also, industrial sector reuse will increase, driven not just by water scarcity, but by public perceptions and by the environmental goals of many industrial water users.

Steinle-Darling foresees further integration of advanced treatment technologies and innovations. She emphasizes the importance of shifting public and industry mindsets to fully embrace potable reuse as a viable water management strategy. “What we really need to be talking about is this change in public awareness, acceptance, policy, and the mindset of our water industry leaders to say: ‘This is something I can stand behind,’” she asserts.

Grevatt highlights the potential impact of digitalisation and AI in optimizing water treatment processes. As utilities adopt these tools, they will be better equipped to manage complex water reuse systems and respond to emerging challenges. He

@González-Cebrián/SWM

also underscores the need for ongoing public engagement and education to address emerging contaminants and other challenges. “The biggest challenges will have to do with public communication and engagement,” he says Regulatory frameworks will continue to evolve, reflecting the growing recognition of water reuse as a critical component of sustainable water management. State-level regulations, federal guidelines, and international collaborations will shape the future of water reuse. Building and maintaining public trust is an ongoing challenge. Continuous efforts in education, transparent communication, and community engagement are necessary to address concerns and foster acceptance.

Conclusion

The evolution of water reuse in the United States reflects a dynamic interplay of technological innovation, regulatory advancements, and public acceptance. As water scarcity and quality issues become more pressing, the role of water reuse will continue to expand, supported by robust policy frameworks and community engagement. The insights from experts like Ben Glickstein, Eva Steinle-Darling, and Peter Grevatt underscore the importance of a comprehensive approach to water management, integrating advanced technologies, regulatory support, and proactive communication to ensure sustainable and resilient water systems for the future.

Peter Grevatt

PhD, Chief Executive Officer of The Water Research Foundation

"Population growth in communities in waterstressed areas is leading to an increase in the safe practices for water recycling"

With continued advancements and growing acceptance, water reuse is set to play a crucial role in addressing the water challenges of the 21st century.

MATT STUYVENBERG

VICE

PRESIDENT

OF SOFTWARE AND WATER QUALITY AT BADGER METER

"Water visibility and actionable intelligence are at the core of BlueEdge and the mission of Badger Meter"

Badger Meter serves water utilities, municipalities, and commercial and industrial customers globally. In late May 2024, the company introduced BlueEdge, a customizable suite of solutions aimed at enhancing the visibility and optimization of water assets.

Z Olivia Tempest - Z Cristina Novo Pérez

In his time at Badger Meter, Matt Stuyvenberg has seen Badger Meter move beyond the meter and build its portfolio of smart water solutions.

Stuyvenberg joined Badger Meter in 2007. Trained as a mechanical engineer, he progressed through the company’s engineering ranks. In the past five years, he has been responsible for growing smart water solutions at Badger Meter, including water quality, pressure and network monitoring as well as software development.

Currently, Stuyvenberg serves as the Vice President of Software and Water Quality at Badger Meter. He helps to oversee corporate strategy, guiding the company’s future direction and expanding its vision of smart water. Most recently, he played a pivotal role in the introduction of BlueEdge by Badger Meter. In this interview, we delve into Matt Stuyvenberg’s insights on the evolution of smart water solutions at Badger Meter, the key drivers behind their development, and the innovative BlueEdge platform.

How would you describe the evolution of smart water solutions at Badger Meter in recent years? With a 120-year history, Badger Meter has evolved from a metering industry leader to a premier provider of cellular AMI systems to a water technology innovator with customizable, scalable smart water solutions.

Our focus has expanded beyond metering to address adjacent problem areas for customers and utilities. Through a suite of sensors and monitors, communications, software and support, we assist our customers on their technology journey in a manner that removes some of the hurdles for getting the insights they need and solving the problems that they face.

What are the key drivers that have led Badger Meter to develop more advanced smart water solutions?

Many customers still struggle to deploy existing technologies, despite their long presence in the market. Meters now collect detailed data every 15 minutes to provide insights beyond total consumption, such as flow rate, temperature, pressure, freeze alerts, empty pipe, tamper alarms and more. Despite these additional operational parameters, many customers still rely on manual

"THROUGH A SUITE OF SENSORS AND MONITORS, COMMUNICATIONS, SOFTWARE AND SUPPORT, WE ASSIST OUR CUSTOMERS ON THEIR TECHNOLOGY JOURNEY"

meter data collection or use their AMI data only to generate a bill. Instead, we leverage this operational data to solve broader problems. Our longterm view focuses on our customers’ future needs — addressing water quality issues, transient monitoring, break alerts, remote data collection, and analysing and synthesizing the data collected. We make these solutions approachable to the utility, so they can focus on reducing non-revenue water, optimizing assets and fostering positive customer engagement. Ultimately, we make water visible to both utilities and consumers.

Water visibility and actionable intelligence are at the core of BlueEdge and the mission of Badger Meter.

How does BlueEdge differ from previous Badger Meter smart water offerings?

BlueEdge is the next evolution of our offerings. In recent years, our R&D and acquisitions have served to bolster our core offerings. BlueEdge provides a name for our technology portfolio, complete with scalable and tailorable solutions. We’re proud that BlueEdge can meet customers where they are in their journey. Whether a customer is beginning with automatic meter reading with drive-by systems or ready for full network visibility with comprehensive water quality and pump station monitoring, BlueEdge offers the framework that guides a logical progression of solution adoption. It encompasses our entire

"BLUEEDGE IS THE NEXT EVOLUTION OF OUR OFFERINGS. IN RECENT YEARS, OUR R&D AND ACQUISITIONS HAVE SERVED TO BOLSTER OUR CORE OFFERINGS"

portfolio, creating a seamless and extensible partnership for addressing smart water challenges. BlueEdge is a new concept built around technologies that are already part of our portfolio. You may be familiar with Badger Meter through Syrinix, ATi, s::can, Telog or Badger Meter itself. BlueEdge brings our offerings together under a single umbrella and includes our complete portfolio.

What key advantages does BlueEdge offer water utilities?

BlueEdge offers tailored solutions to meet utility, commercial, and industrial customers’ specific needs. It can support deployments as small as one lift station or a handful of billing meters, as well as full-scale network monitoring deployments inclusive of AMI, pressure, leak, and water quality for comprehensive distribution network monitoring. BlueEdge adapts to the unique requirements of customers, considering factors like region, size and infrastructure age — providing a versatile solution for diverse needs. BlueEdge includes instruments and sensors for data collection, communication systems for data backhaul, software-enabled insights, and dedicated support and training teams.

What are the main challenges that water utilities are facing now, in your opinion?

There are three universal challenges facing the water industry. First, aging infrastructure and leaks are a major concern. Many utility systems are grappling with infrastructure that has exceeded its intended lifespan, leading to significant water loss. Second, managing water supplies in terms of both quantity (addressing droughts and floods) and quality (including emerging contaminants like PFAS, particularly funding and remediation). Third, technology adoption in a traditionally slower-moving, risk-averse industry is a unique challenge. Finding the right human capital for the necessary change management to successfully adopt new technology, while also respecting the long lifespan of these assets, is a key and unique issue that the utility industry faces.

How can BlueEdge help utilities address these key challenges?

We designed BlueEdge to address customer pain points and solve these problems. Our goal was

to make technology more approachable, and, in turn, this helps to solve challenges with water management, leak detection, and asset management. We introduced cellular AMI systems a decade ago, which have been transformative for many customers — providing easy access to data without the need for a utility to manage a network of collectors or rely on labour to collect readings. By leveraging reliable and resilient cellular networks, utilities can focus on what they do best, rather than worrying about towers, collectors, and communication network upkeep.

Beyond metering and AMI, BlueEdge extends to include water quality monitoring, from source to tap. This ensures the safety of water from various sources (like rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and aquifers) before it reaches the treatment plant or at the point of transfer from wholesale water producers. Integrating this information with meters at water production plants or pumping stations and DMA meters enables comprehensive water balance and pressure management across the network. Our pressure monitoring and acoustic leak detection offerings ensure that pipes, often designed to last 75 to 100 years, are not degraded by harmful transients that cause premature breaks or bursts and require replacement. By providing straightforward insights from sensor data, we help utilities to allocate resources effectively. Although these insights are made as simple as possible, a core pillar of BlueEdge is the support we offer our customers and their staff. We have dedicated teams that provide continuous training so our customers can maximize their investments and exceed their consumers’ expectations.

What role does data collection and analysis play in improving water system management?

Data collection is the first step, which involves ensuring you have robust sensors that provide valid data within the relevant timeframe for the problem you’re addressing. We believe data collection and communication go hand in hand. Whether it’s collecting 15-minute interval data four times a day from a billing meter or real-time communication from a water quality monitoring sensor at a treatment plant, it’s crucial to understand the specific problem each sensor and communication package aims to solve. Additionally, ensuring the

"BLUEEDGE ENCOMPASSES OUR ENTIRE PORTFOLIO, CREATING A SEAMLESS AND EXTENSIBLE PARTNERSHIP FOR ADDRESSING SMART WATER

CHALLENGES"

software solution not only collects data but also presents appropriate alerts, alarms, and insights is essential. This process begins with the sensor and communication, ensuring near real-time visibility into previously unmonitored areas of the network or process.

How can BlueEdge help utilities combat data fatigue and better leverage information?

The key here is providing actual intelligence. In our industry, many organizations are still data-poor, especially “outside the fence” between production and point of use. The amount of data can vary significantly based on the utility’s size, financial capabilities, and data maturity level. Even when utilities have enough data in terms of quantity, the quality is often suspect.

"WE HAVE DEDICATED TEAMS THAT PROVIDE CONTINUOUS TRAINING SO OUR CUSTOMERS CAN MAXIMIZE THEIR INVESTMENTS AND EXCEED THEIR CONSUMERS’ EXPECTATIONS"

I would argue that outside of treatment plants, the network remains significantly under-sensored. For example, water quality is heavily grab-sample based and reliant on personnel to collect and labs to analyse those samples. While online monitoring won’t replace the lab, it provides invaluable insights between the required daily or weekly samples, ensuring compliance, improving quality, speeding emergency response, and bolstering the operation teams’ understanding of their network.

Simply collecting and storing data isn’t enough, though. We also need to make impactful decisions based on this information. Whether through simple alerts, dashboards or automated insights that leverage multiple pieces of information, our suite of solutions presents data in a way designed to address the needs of the customer. Whether you use BEACON® SaaS for meter-to-cash operations and customer service, EyeOnWater® for consumer engagement and notifications, or RADAR for pressure management and operational support to ensure assets are operating correctly, our offerings

ensure all data functions together seamlessly and without silos.

This comprehensive data integration allows information intended for meter-to-cash operations and customer service to also serve as an operational tool. BlueEdge ensures data standardization, presenting meaningful insights to the intended user — whether a utility operator or a homeowner.

Where can BlueEdge be incorporated into water systems to help achieve water stewardship goals?

The first, and simplest, step is making water visible. The more we can see and measure in terms of water usage and quality, the better we can manage it. This means source-to-tap monitoring and full network-based visibility: how much has been drawn out of a river, lake or aquifer, where it goes, and what is being returned to the system.

This encompasses the way large commercial or industrial users are managing their own water — and making sure that data is not sequestered within the utility, but instead shared to the user of the water in a more granular way, like through our

"MANY UTILITY SYSTEMS ARE GRAPPLING WITH INFRASTRUCTURE THAT HAS EXCEEDED ITS INTENDED LIFESPAN, LEADING TO SIGNIFICANT WATER LOSS"

consumer engagement app, EyeOnWater. By ensuring the commercial or industrial customer has access to the same high-resolution consumption information as the utility, we can help those consumers better understand how much water they are using — and if they have a problem, it can be addressed before it becomes a major issue for the utility and industry alike.

Concerning notifications and full visibility to the homeowners about their water use, we recently released several specific alerts, alarms and algorithms for irrigation, because it is one of the largest drivers of water usage for homeowners and utilities in the U.S. People can manage what they are using for irrigation and see if they are overwatering or going against irrigation policies.

We start with the basis of making water visible to those who are using it, so they can better manage their use of it and then ideally reduce their overall consumption.

How can water quality solutions from Badger Meter, such as optical and electrochemical sensors, enhance water management and monitoring?

"BLUEEDGE ENSURES DATA STANDARDIZATION, PRESENTING MEANINGFUL INSIGHTS TO

THE INTENDED USER — WHETHER A UTILITY OPERATOR OR A HOMEOWNER"

Historically, water quality has been monitored with lab samples or with wall-mounted cabinet analysers using reagents. While some of our portfolio still includes these traditional methods, we have advanced toward electrochemical and optical sensors that offer real-time visibility without the need for expensive maintenance contracts, chemicals, or bypass streams.

Our low-powered, inline, online and reagent-free technologies enable water quality monitoring to move from the lab to the field. This provides real-time information regarding disinfection levels (chlorines and chloramines), pH for corrosion control, turbidity for flushing, scale issues and more. When these sensors and parameters are paired with more traditional pressure, flow and leak products, they can help corroborate other issues like bursts, unintentional valve closures, and more.

For example, a Badger Meter customer in the southern U.S. deployed real-time monitoring throughout neighbourhoods and detected periods with no chlorine in the system. The customer initially assumed it was a faulty reading, but real-time monitoring revealed that there was no chlorine at certain times due to water stagnation and elevated temperatures. Furthermore, a number of our utilities have begun deploying sensors to verify water quality for large commercial customers or to ensure appropriate quality for sensitive populations like hospitals and daycares. Outside of any operational benefit this has also helped build trust between the utility and the consumer.

What role do network monitoring technologies play in protecting water resources?

Network monitoring technologies play a crucial role in protecting water resources by ensuring the longevity and reliability of water infrastructure. Our PIPEMINDER devices specialize in high-res-

"OUR LOW-POWERED, INLINE, ONLINE AND REAGENT-FREE TECHNOLOGIES ENABLE WATER QUALITY MONITORING TO MOVE FROM THE LAB TO THE FIELD"

olution pressure monitoring, transient detection, and network calming. These tools not only detect and locate pipe bursts, but also help ensure that assets last as long as they should by minimizing harmful pressure events This proactive approach helps to prevent leaks and failures before they occur, rather than just fixing existing issues.

While many leak detection technologies focus on addressing problems after they’ve occurred, our solutions are designed to ensure that water network assets perform optimally for their expected lifespan. This is achieved by monitoring and mitigating various stressors within the system.

For instance, our technology can identify and address issues caused by hard pump start-stops, improperly weighted or malfunctioning valves, and significant pressure variations due to commercial customer demand. These stressors can send damaging transients through the network, potentially compromising pipeline infrastructure.

The next step in the evolution of our full network monitoring package incorporates data from devices like our E-Series® Ultrasonic meters at the furthest extent of a network (the entry point of the home) to the explicit network monitoring devices mentioned above to enhance pressure management.

How does Badger Meter help utilities achieve their sustainability and water management objectives?

Badger Meter technologies are key enablers for utilities to achieve their sustainability and water management objectives through advanced measurement and monitoring technologies. Utilities have water management and GHG emission reduction goals. Approximately 90% of the electricity consumption, and 80% of Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions at a typical utility come from pumping water and wastewater.  By providing solutions aimed at reducing water loss, our solutions enable GHG emission avoidance.

By accurately measuring water flow and consumption, utilities can optimize water balances and reduce leakage, ensuring treated water is effectively utilized. This efficiency reduces the need to treat and pump excessive amounts of water, in turn lowering both electricity usage and emissions. Effective water management not only conserves re-

sources but also aligns with sustainability goals by reducing the environmental impact of treatment.

In wastewater treatment, Badger Meter provides solutions for aeration optimization — a process that can significantly reduce electricity costs associated with blowers and chemical usage. Real-time monitoring equipment can optimize the amount of chemicals needed and, in turn, lower chemical and electricity costs.

Finally, our cellular AMI solution does not require the build out and maintenance of proprietary infrastructure and energy-intensive equipment given it utilizes existing, efficient and resilient cellular networks.

Badger Meter has over a century of experience in the water technology industry. How has the company maintained its leadership and adapted to market evolution?

Badger Meter is still one of the only pure-play water companies around. Every day, we wake up with a focus on how to solve customer water challenges. Along with our 120-year industry experience, we think on the same time horizons that a utility does: understanding that assets being put in the ground are expected to last a decade or more. We plan on those horizons and strive to be market innovators.

We were first to market in the U.S. with driveby meter reading systems, ultrasonic metering, direct cellular communications on every meter, and cloud-based solutions for those cellular-connected meters. With a forward-thinking approach, we maintain our leadership position and ensure new technologies and solutions are robust enough for the market.

We don’t assume that a new consumer technology will automatically fit into the utility space. Instead, we understand the specific environment in which these products need to function. For in-

"NETWORK MONITORING TECHNOLOGIES PLAY A CRUCIAL ROLE IN PROTECTING WATER RESOURCES

BY ENSURING LONGEVITY AND RELIABILITY OF WATER INFRASTRUCTURE"

stance, a meter might be submerged in a vault for its entire 20-year life, so it requires specific treatments to ensure it lasts as expected.

Our pragmatic view on technology adoption ensures that any technology we roll out meets the needs of the utility. Enabling us to build a trusted brand and strong relationships with our customers and partners.

How have recent acquisitions, such as Telog, contributed to the company’s growth and innovation?

Telog is a natural extension of where we have been. Moving from metering to water quality with ATi and s::can, to pressure monitoring with Syrinix, Telog is another fantastic addition that allows for remote data collection and software insights.

Telog enables flexible data collection from simple single-channel monitoring points up to full multi-channel monitoring. Outfitting locations like lift or pumping stations with SCADA-like functionality for remote sites at a fraction of the cost and complexity. While most of the BlueEdge portfolio is custom tailored to function as a sensor and communication solution, Telog enables you to bring your own sensor or enable connectivity to sensors that have already been deployed. Furthermore, the offering features long-lived but replaceable batteries, edge computing for smart alarms, and more, all while being underpinned by the same robust cellular communications and SaaS capabilities that are core to our portfolio. It fits naturally into our offering and extends the ability for our customers to gain visibility into their remote assets.

What are the key growth strategies Badger Meter is implementing for the future?

"EFFECTIVE WATER MANAGEMENT CONSERVES RESOURCES AND ALIGNS WITH SUSTAINABILITY GOALS BY REDUCING

Badger Meter will continue to be on the lookout for M&A opportunities to acquire other technologies that can enhance our set of solutions or our geographic presence. We’re also committed to significant investment in our own research and development – continuing to advance the state of core and acquired technologies alike. We’ll innovate our metering solutions, communications technologies, and the integration of businesses we acquire into our BlueEdge suite of offerings. Expanding and enhancing the usability of sensors and communication — whether

it’s through lower power, lower cost, higher frequency, or better insight – as well as improved software capabilities will remain a core focus.

While there’s a lot of buzz around AI and digital twins, in my opinion, we’re still far from the practical realities of some of these technologies for much of the customer base. However, we’re prepared to offer solutions for early adopters and will continue to synthesize data from our extensive network of sensors to ensure utilities gain actual intelligence and actionable insights.

Regional expansion is also a high priority. Historically, Badger Meter has been a U.S.-centric company, but markets outside the U.S. face the same type of water challenges. We are committed to bringing our proven BlueEdge suite of offerings to new markets. We aim to increase our presence in regions where we may currently be known only through a portion of our brand portfolio, tailoring solutions across some or all of our offerings.

How do you see Badger Meter evolving in the water industry over the next decades?

Over the next 20 years, we anticipate a continued evolution toward digital solutions to solve ever-increasing water challenges. We maintain hardware-enabled software as a core tenet of our portfolio, which will ultimately power digital twins and full network operations.

While the term “digital twin” is often mentioned, I approach it with caution in the near term. This may be a somewhat contrarian point of view, over the next decade; however, I don’t believe that most utilities will have the robustness of data required to fully drive a self-powered digital twin, especially when it comes to “outside-the-fence” operations. I do believe that linking full water lifecycle management will be crucial, though.

Badger Meter will continue enabling utilities to better manage both the quantity and quality of the water they produce and, at the same time, allowing consumers to manage their consumption while knowing the quality of the water they use. Consumer awareness of water quality challenges, such as the presence of lead, PFAS, or other contaminants, has also increased. I expect the trend of miniaturization and lower power, more stable water quality sensors to continue. This will eventually empower homeowners to know exact-

"WITH A FORWARDTHINKING APPROACH, WE MAINTAIN OUR LEADERSHIP POSITION AND ENSURE NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND SOLUTIONS ARE ROBUST ENOUGH FOR THE MARKET"

ly what they are consuming and take mitigating action as necessary. Despite the best efforts of utilities to provide high-quality water, this issue is more pressing than ever, and we’re committed to developing the solutions needed in the coming decades and beyond.

What is your personal vision for the future of smart water solutions and how is Badger Meter positioned to lead this evolution?

In my opinion, over the next decade we will see broad-scale adoption of hardware-enabled insights and automation. This shift will be driven by the widespread installation of devices, improved data communication, and software-enabled insights — helping utilities optimize their resources and focus their investments effectively. Digital transformation will hit its stride with actionable

insights generated from the robust sensor and communication deployments. This will go a step further to digital agents and assistants that will amplify the ability of utility operators and managers to make informed and efficient decisions.

Water reuse and small-scale local water treatment is another exciting development that may change some of the traditional water cycle — enabling water to stay closer to where it is used and not relying on centralization and subsequent dilution practices.

Badger Meter will lead the way with reliable, robust hardware-enabled software insights that can be deployed at scale. Our technologies are designed to solve real problems for utilities, providing a return on investment through personnel optimization, improved asset management, and optimized and sustainable operations.

"DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION WILL HIT ITS STRIDE WITH ACTIONABLE INSIGHTS GENERATED FROM THE ROBUST SENSOR AND COMMUNICATION DEPLOYMENTS"

What advice would you give to other water industry leaders looking to implement smart water solutions in their organizations?

First and foremost, it’s crucial to understand the specific problems you’re trying to solve. While there is a lot of discussion about broad-scale solutions that claim to solve all problems, each utility faces unique and urgent issues. Identifying these specific problems and selecting the right tools to address them is essential.

Secondly, consider the adjacent priorities and ensure that your chosen solution provider can grow with you. I recommend that utilities avoid selecting too narrow of a provider, which might lead to integration or usability problems later.

Lastly, avoid chasing the lowest-cost option; instead, take a long-term view and choose a partnership that will support you on your smart water journey. This approach will have long-term implications for the financial viability of your organization and the satisfaction of your customers.

What do you find most rewarding about your work at Badger Meter and in the water industry in general?

In the water industry, it’s incredible how passionate people are about managing the world’s most precious resource. Initially, I fell into the water sector by chance — but it has been an incredibly rewarding industry to work in. I’m inspired by the dedication of those responsible for producing, protecting, and delivering water to those who need it.

At Badger Meter, it’s our ability to take a longterm view of the industry’s needs and execute a strategic plan to bring essential technology to those who need it. Unlike other industries driven by quarterly results or consumer-based buying cycles, the water sector allows for a long-term perspective. This enables us to address the industry’s challenges with a focus on enduring solutions rather than short-term gains.

While the water industry is often described as risk-averse and slow-moving, this characteristic allows us to take a holistic and long-term view of what the industry really needs. We’re focused on addressing the problems not just from a business perspective but also looking ahead to the longterm trends and needs of the industry.

TWELVE MONTHS OF RECORD TEMPERATURES

May 2024 was the warmest May ever recorded, marking the 12th straight month of record-high global temperatures, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service.

This new consecutive record has generated alarm in the environmental sector.

May 2024 was 0.65°C above the 1991–2020 average and 1.52°C above the preindustrial average of 1850–1900. This marks the 11th consecutive month with global temperatures at or above 1.5°C

above pre-industrial levels. The data, cited by the UN Secretary General, coincide with two new climate change reports. Additionally, the global average temperature over the past year has been the highest on record, at 0.75°C above the 1991–2020 average and 1.63°C

above the pre-industrial average. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warns that temperatures between 2024 and 2028 could be 1.1°C to 1.9°C higher than the 1850–1900 baseline, edging closer to the Paris Agreement thresholds.

30 May 2024. Neighbors of Orellana la Vieja, Spain, protect themselves from the high temperatures in the Orellana reservoir. @González-Cebrián/SWM

NEW DIMENSION IN NETWORK ASSET MANAGEMENT

The new paradigm of asset management in city water supply and sanitation networks has a strong digital component. The transformation of knowledge and thought has shifted from a purely human and rational realm to a digital dimension, fuelled by complex algorithms that optimize network operations and extend their useful life beyond the originally intended timelines.

The scarcity of resources and the lack of investment in water assets make it increasingly necessary to focus efforts on operation and maintenance from a predictive perspective, ensuring the highest benefits with minimal investments. This approach is encompassed in an asset management system for water supply and sanitation networks with a strong digital transformation component and is primarily focused on preventive and predictive maintenance.

1. Background

Everyone knows how we used to detect the need for asset renewal in our cities not too many years ago. The water engineer at the City Council, or a similar person in charge, would use their subjective knowledge to plan network renewals. They relied on their recent memory of incidents in a particular area to confidently determine that it indeed

The big data system is configured as a datalake, with ample storage capacity and open, bilateral communication with the different inputs

was the part of the network most in need of renovation or replacement.

Likewise, network maps were often “digitized” in the memory of the Water Service Foreman. Knowledge of where the network ran through various streets relied on querying this individual, sometimes with success, and other times less so.

This article does not intend to undervalue the work of those individuals. On the contrary, they used all their skills, knowledge, and understanding to manage the water supply and sanitation networks as best as possible with the available means. However, it aims to show how decision-making processes have evolved over time and how technology has been utilized in this area.

The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how digital transformation has led to a paradigm shift in integrated water cycle management. It seeks to transform a seemingly objective but subjectively influenced decision-making process into an empirical model focused on maximizing the productivity of available resources. This new model uses logical algorithms that consider numerous parameters, variables, and data, reflecting the real history of the asset.

2. The Frank pyramid

The Frank pyramid is the basic framework ACCIONA has used to develop an intelligent asset management system. The pyramid comprises four levels or stages necessary to develop systems (data, information, knowledge and intelligence), so that all processes are perfectly aligned, allowing us to achieve dynamic asset management.

Data

The foundation of the Frank pyramid is the database. Much has been said about big data in recent years. A big data sys-

Z Raúl González Rodríguez, Director of Network Operation and Maintenance at ACCIONA

tem must be solid, robust, and resilient. As the pyramid’s base, it supports all other system components. It must store information in an orderly, well-parameterized manner from various inputs. This big data system should be configured as a datalake, with ample storage capacity and open, bilateral communication with all the different inputs from the pyramid’s next level.

Information

The information level of the pyramid consists of all systems that feed the datalake and serve as the basis for the next stage.

These systems can be internal, such as GIS, work order management, automation and control systems, sensors, subscriber management programs, etc., or external digital information sources like population patterns, meteorological data, topographic data, soil data, etc. Both internal and external systems must be interconnected with the base of the pyramid, contributing data to the datalake as required.

Knowledge

Once we have information reception systems, selected and parameterized the information, and stored it in an organized

manner, we can begin to truly “know” how our asset network operates. This knowledge allows us to make informed decisions, evaluate actions, and create control and monitoring documents for our assets and their performance. How-

Our systems’ intelligence objectively identifies the best use of available economic resources for network renewal or replacement

The framework ACCIONA uses for an intelligent asset management system comprises four levels: data, information, knowledge and intelligence

ever, the new dimension in asset management is provided by the pyramid’s apex.

Intelligence

At ACCIONA, the intelligence added to our knowledge allows us to take dynamic asset management a step further. Dynamic management is continuously evolving and adapting to new challenges. The intelligence embedded in our asset management systems lets us identify real-time events in the network that deviate from expected “normal” behaviour, enabling immediate action. More importantly, it allows us to achieve a predictive maintenance model. Our systems’ intelligence objectively identifies the best use of available economic resources for network renewal or replacement investments that maximize network productivity. In summary, it enables us to manage our resources and those of our clients as efficiently as possible, maximizing their performance.

3. Business Operations

Business Operations encompass all systems that provide information for the comprehensive management of assets, together with the asset storage system or datalake. This includes the first two levels of the Frank pyramid.

Geographic Information System (GIS)

One of the first digital tools implemented years ago in water and sewer systems

Business Operations encompass all systems that provide information for comprehensive asset management, together with the datalake

tracking the time spent on each activity, travel times, materials associated with each maintenance, and the costs of each repair or action taken on an asset. This information, organized and compiled, holds significant empirical value when we reach the intelligence phase, as it will inform the predictive maintenance models’ calculations.

Asset automation, control, and sensor systems

Our GIS services not only geolocate assets but also store dynamic attributes, meaning other systems, such as a work order manager, can record or modify attributes of an asset or associate specific incidents or maintenance activities with it. Advanced GIS systems also support visualization, enabling interaction, map printing, etc., from any device.

Work order management system

Another critical point for obtaining operational data from our assets is the automation and control systems, as well as the sensors installed in our water supply and sewer networks. These systems not only enhance the operational efficiency of the assets, extend their lifespan, and reduce operational costs, but they are also a fundamental source of information. This data will be crucial when interacting with other systems that will add intelligence to the collected data in the future.

Datalake and external sources

was Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Initially, these systems offered very little functionality for the operation and maintenance of assets since their implementation was limited to digital maps in an expensive application accessible only to a service technician.

Today, GIS systems have evolved to be more functional and, importantly, to interact with other systems, providing geographic information on network assets for other complementary asset management systems. This is essentially the first step in asset digitalisation and arguably the most crucial step, as a good asset registry will lead to effective management.

The next step within Business Operations is to have a work order planning and resolution manager associated with assets. This system allows for the creation of work orders both from an incident, resulting in corrective maintenance, and from an Asset Maintenance Plan, leading to scheduled preventive maintenance actions.

All work orders are created in the system, and categorized by activity type, location, asset type, etc. Each work order is linked to an asset. The categorization of this asset and its attributes travel from GIS to the work order management system, ensuring consistent parameters and attributes for the assets. Similarly, when work orders are resolved, the assets receive information on the action taken, which is recorded in their action history within GIS as an additional attribute.

The work order manager also provides valuable information about the tasks performed on the assets. It enables

To conclude the section on the purely operational management of assets, it is important to highlight the significance of data storage. Each system mentioned earlier operates independently, managing, storing, and configuring its own databases for its internal operations. However, for comprehensive asset management and to ensure that applied intelligence is useful, it is necessary to store specific data from each system in a common datalake that serves as the source for Business Intelligence. This parametrization allows for more effective system interrelationships. Only the necessary data between

Information from the work order manager, organized and compiled, will inform the predictive maintenance models’ calculations

Business Intelligence represents a paradigm shift, moving from corrective and preventive maintenance to predictive maintenance

ing the security, productivity, and service level of the managed assets.

Real-time mathematical models (digital twin of the network)

Based on the GIS asset database and incorporating real-time data from sensors and automation and control systems, we have systems that analyse the network, create a mathematical model, and project a real-time digital twin of the network’s operation.

systems will travel to the datalake, while purely operational data remains in the systems where it was generated.

The datalake not only stores data from operational asset management systems but also accesses and interconnects with third-party systems to capture and store information for future use by intelligence systems. Examples include data from the National Statistics Institute on population and housing numbers or rainfall data from the National Meteorological Agency, which can be used for subsequent mathematical modelling of the sewer network.

In summary, a common information repository is essential for transferring all relevant data from internal and external systems that could be used by intelligence platforms in asset management.

4. Business Intelligence

So far, we have seen how digital transformation in asset management has changed our interaction with assets. We

The predictive intelligence platform provides reliable, objective information about the assets we manage and how to act on them

have identified that asset maps and locations cannot be outside a geographic information system and how these systems have evolved to dynamically interact with other systems, forming the basis of digitalisation. Once assets are identified, named, located, and characterized, we manage them digitally through a work order manager. This tool provides a comprehensive characterization of the activities performed on the assets, their cost, intervention time, and the equipment, resources, and materials used.

We have collected the necessary data from each system and incorporated it into a bidirectionally interconnected database called datalake. Additionally, we have millions of external data points from various sources, most of them freely available, that can be used and incorporated into our systems. At this point, we develop what we know as Business Intelligence, which consists of applications or systems that, using the data stored in the datalake from asset operations, analyse, apply intelligence, and provide valuable results for predicting future actions on our assets. This represents a paradigm shift, moving from corrective and preventive maintenance to predictive maintenance, allowing us to anticipate future events and address them before they occur, thereby enhanc-

The digital twin allows us to obtain network operation premises at any given moment, and anticipate or detect anomalies in the network almost in real-time. Examples include detecting leaks, uncontrolled discharges, high consumption, and water quality issues in the network by applying real-time data to traditional mathematical models.

Not only is the network modelling more efficient by adding data and sensors, but the calibration and adjustment of the digital model are also easier, more reliable, and accurately represent the hydraulic operation of the supply or sewer network.

Predictive and intelligent asset management platform

Finally, reaching the top of the Frank pyramid, ACCIONA has a predictive intelligence platform for analysing water supply and sewer networks. This predictive intelligence platform is powered by all the data incorporated into the datalake, from various operational units, GIS, automation and control, work orders, third-party data, real-time mathematical models, etc. By applying complex logical algorithms, it provides reliable, objective information about the assets we manage and how to act on them.

The system provides information on the behaviour of the supply and sewer networks, analysing the data and presenting events within them that require observation and study, as they may pose risks to the operation of those assets.

For example, in water supply networks, we can detect consumption events in sectors that are outside the normal range for a specific day or hour. This range is previously defined by the platform based on historical data analysis. Detecting an event means that something is not functioning as usual. This model predicts an incident that needs immediate attention. In this example, an unusual, unexpected consumption was detected in a network sector not optimized at that time. Asset managers anticipated problems and ad-

justed pumps and re-pumps in advance to address a potential supply shortage at a specific time.

In sewer networks, we use models to determine, for instance, cleaning plans in advance of blockages or retention in the sewers caused by sediment buildup.

The asset management platform also provides information on the network’s capacity to withstand the passage of time. The intelligent model can give us network investment parameters needed to maintain our service level and iden-

tify points or sections where renewal or replacement is required to maximize the infrastructure’s lifespan.

5. Our goal

Why do we do this at ACCIONA? We all know how our cities grow every day and how the level of service demanded by society increases daily. However, our networks are ageing faster than we can replace them because we lack sufficient economic resources, and water tariffs do not adequately reflect technical amortization. This situation requires us to be increasingly efficient, to extend the useful life of our assets, and to carefully manage our water supply and sewer networks as they are constantly subjected to material stress and fatigue. In short, we need to be more productive, optimize our resources, and maximize the investment available to improve the service levels of the networks we operate. We achieve all this through our dynamic asset management platform, which represents a new dimension in the management of these assets.

We need to be more productive, optimize resources, and maximize investment to improve the service levels of the networks we operate

KEN SANSONE SENIOR PARTNER, SL ENVIRONMENTAL LAW GROUP

OPINION

The economic burden of PFAS pollution on America’s water systems

Providing clean, safe water just keeps getting harder, especially with contaminants like per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Known as “forever chemicals,” these manmade compounds have been used in thousands of products and have made their way into source water across the U.S. through multiple paths. When ingested, they pose significant health risks, and policymakers are tasking public water systems with ensuring the safety and sustainability of water resources.

At SL Environmental Law Group our mission is clear: ensure that the cost of treating water contaminated through others’ irresponsible actions is not borne by water systems and their customers. We have been solely focused on water contamination litigation since our inception in 2003, representing hundreds of water utilities, cities and state governments in lawsuits against the manufacturers whose products have contaminated their water supplies and wastewater systems.

Our PFAS litigation practice began more than seven years ago and eventually led to the Aqueous Film-Forming Foam multi-district litigation (MDL). This MDL consolidated hundreds of PFAS lawsuits, including claims by public water providers, wastewater operators, airports and many others seeking damages for PFAS contamination. In June 2023, DuPont and its affiliates proposed a settlement of more than $1.18 billion to U.S. public water providers, followed by 3M’s $12.5 billion settlement proposal. Both settlements are now final.

In April of this year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced the first-ever legally enforceable national drinking water standards for PFAS. Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, PFAS are now regulated in public water systems through National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR) with maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for five PFAS substances and PFAS mixtures. Public water systems have three years to initiate PFAS monitoring and must inform the public of detected levels. Within five years, systems must reduce PFAS that exceed MCLs—a mandate projected to cost billions of dollars.

EPA also has classified PFOA and PFOS—two common PFAS compounds—as “hazardous substances” under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and

Liability Act (CERCLA, aka the “Superfund”). This move aims to bolster accountability for polluters releasing PFAS into the environment, but it also imposes hefty financial challenges on publicly owned treatment works (POTWs), exposing them to potential liability and clean-up costs for their wastewater discharge and biosolids.

In addition to federal regulation, several states are proactively proposing and/or setting their own guidelines for PFAS in wastewater and biosolids. In 2022, Maine passed a law prohibiting the land application of sludge from wastewater treatment plants. Proposed regulation in Maryland would require major industrial dischargers to test for and treat PFAS in wastewater before discharging to community WWTPs, and the state also is investigating PFAS concentrations in Class A and B biosolids

"In addition to federal regulation, several states are proposing and/or setting their own guidelines for PFAS in wastewater and biosolids"

and may follow Maine’s rules based on its findings. In New York, legislative efforts like the proposed PFAS Discharge Disclosure Act (S227B) aim to extend stringent PFAS monitoring requirements to wastewater. If passed, this law would be a national first, demanding comprehensive PFAS testing from a broad spectrum of discharge permit holders, including POTWs.

Unfortunately, federal and state funding – while substantial – will only cover part of the mitigation costs, and entities are turning to litigation as a crucial component of their cost recovery strategy. Many have enlisted SL Environmental for help.

The path forward is clear: Innovative funding solutions, including litigation as a strategic cost recovery option, can help POTWs navigate the complex regulatory PFAS landscape without imposing undue financial strain on ratepayers.

ZINEB MOUMEN & MARIA CARDENAL

ANALYSTS AT BLUEFIELD RESEARCH

OPINION

PFAS costs: too big to treat?

After years of study, the environmental challenges and public health risks of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have come to the fore in the last five years as a key focus for the water sector. From the U.S., with the largest PFAS sampling dataset, through Europe and to Australia - thousands of municipalities, and industries, grapple with the ubiquitousness of these “forever chemical”’ contaminants. To permanently eliminate them from our air, soil, drinking water and wastewater will cost trillions of dollars.

Undoubtedly it will require a titanic, multi-stakeholder, multi-decade effort on the part of governments, industries, technology and service providers to identify, monitor, remove, and destroy PFAS from tens of thousands of highly contaminated sites. So titanic an effort, that it begs the question, is it even feasible?

The U.S. leads in PFAS remediation efforts for drinking water and wastewater. So far, thirteen of fifty states have adopted or proposed maximum concentration levels or enforceable limits on contaminants in water. An additional thirteen states implemented other methods of regulation, including response levels, health advisories and action levels. Developing these regulations generates a steady flow of site mapping and cost calculation reports with staggeringly high figures running into the hundreds of billions of dollars.

In reality, the industry can expect incremental investment in conventional treatment technology for drinking water. Bluefield forecasts drinking water utilities will spend nearly US$13.5 billion between 2023 and 2030 on PFAS retrofits - primarily dedicated to the installation of granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration. GAC is the more traditional, demonstrated approach to PFAS removal — and most conducive to smaller, less sophisticated systems. However, the growing scale and complexity of water and wastewater treatment requirements will usher in more innovative solutions. Beyond drinking water, the wastewater and biosolids side of the industry poses greater challenges as PFAS permeate multiple segments of the sludge management value chain. Considered a lower public health priority than drinking water, the

scant data on PFAS in biosolids indicates equally alarming cost implications for remediation. PFAS represent a double whammy in terms of cost for municipal wastewater treatment plant operators: utilities need to spend more on treatment to remove the compounds from biosolids, while at the same time, they lose income from fertilizer sales.

Europe trails the U.S. but its efforts at remediation took a major step forward with recent updates to both the Drinking Water and Urban Wastewater Treatment Directives. Five European countries (Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden) moved to ban PFAS in early 2024 with a proposal to the European Chemicals Agency for social and environmental risk assessments. France initiated its PFAS Action Plan 2023-2027 and leading private water utility groups have

"Bluefield forecasts drinking water utilities will spend nearly US$13.5 bn between 2023 and 2030 on PFAS retrofits - primarily GAC filtration"

initiated treatment plant retrofits with GAC. For drinking water alone, Bluefield estimates treatment spending will total over US$3 billion in Europe between 2023 and 2030, while biosolids spending will likely double that amount.

A long road lies ahead for countries to thoroughly address PFAS - but study after study indicates the public health cost of inaction far outweighs the investments required by the water sector. Lawsuits against PFAS producers will proliferate, such as BASF’s recent US$316 million settlement with several U.S. public water systems. Regulation will evolve from large site detection to more robust point-source pollution control. These shifts will not happen overnight, but they are a signal that no, this is not too big a challenge if regulators step up, and the industry responds.

“Water recycling programs can ensure broader water accessibility and affordability”

PATRICIA SINICROPI - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WATEREUSE ASSOCIATION

Water reuse entails using the right water for the right purpose. The WateReuse Association focuses on advancing laws, policy and funding to increase this practice, advocating for a safe and reliable water supply that protects the environment and sustains economic growth.

In recent years, water reuse has emerged as a crucial and innovative solution to global water scarcity, marking a significant shift towards sustainable resource management. By treating and repurposing wastewater, communities can create a reliable and resilient water supply that reduces dependence on traditional water sources. This approach not only conserves precious freshwater resources but also mitigates the environmental impact of wastewater discharge. The advancement of purification technologies has enabled the production of high-quality recycled water, suitable for various uses, from agricultural irrigation to industrial processes and even potable applications. In this interview, Patricia Sinicropi, Executive Director, WateReuse Association, discusses recent developments in this field.

Please tell us briefly about your career path and your current role at the WateReuse Association.

I first got involved in solving the nation’s water challenges in college, through activism related to the Federal Clean Water Act. After studying law at the University of Maine, I came to Washington, DC where I joined the Clinton Administration’s Council on Sustainable Development in 1996 and learned holis-

tic approaches to watershed and natural resources management. My interest in water grew as I worked on environmental policy and community support programs at the United States Department of Agriculture and representing the Rural Communities Assistance Partnership. These experiences exposed me to the ways in which water and wastewater systems are foundational to the growth and functioning of communities. From there, I joined the Water Environment Federation (WEF) in 2004 as a Legislative Counsel and then became the Director of Legislative Affairs for the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA), taking a lead on many of the policy issues related to the Clean Water Act that had sparked my passion twenty years prior.

I was tapped to lead the WateReuse Association as Executive Director in 2017, where I am focused on water recycling: one of the key resource management tools that I have addressed throughout my career.

How has the field of water reuse evolved over the years?

In the past half-decade, the water industry as a whole has experienced the combined challenges of extreme weather driven by climate change, water quality and contamination issues, ageing infrastructure, and stricter effluent regulations. In the past half-decade, these challenges have raised the profile of water recycling as a solution not just in the drought-prone, arid West, but across the United States. As a response, WateReuse has had to pivot to engage with new members nationwide, create useful content, and advocate for funding and policies for a much wider range of regions and types of water recycling. WateReuse has responded by producing nationwide tools like the State Water Reuse Policy Map, and successfully advocated for the inclusion of the first nationwide water reuse grant program, the Alternative Water Source Grants Pilot Program in the landmark 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. WateReuse has also welcomed new State Sections to the organization, including Ohio, South Carolina, New Mexico, and the Mid-Atlantic region, helping to build local collaboration and advocacy in regions that are newer to water recycling.

"Water challenges have raised the profile of water recycling as a solution not just in the drought-prone, arid West, but across the U.S."

Z Cristina Novo Pérez

Can you comment on recent policy developments concerning water reuse in the United States?

The federal government in the United States has taken great strides to support water reuse adoption. We are in the fourth year of a partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other federal and non-federal partners to advance a National Water Reuse Action Plan. Major federal funding through the recent Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act have also created new opportunities for water reuse.

WateReuse Association is proud to have advocated for the Federal Interagency Working Group on Water Reuse, which was implemented via the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The working group’s purpose is to ensure coordination and collaboration among the dozen or so federal agencies that have programs or policies related to water recycling. The group is coordinated by the EPA and has involvement from the Department of the Interior, Department of Energy, General Services Administration, Department of Agriculture, Department of Defense, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and others.

Meanwhile, at the state level, WateReuse Association state sections are working closely with regulatory counterparts to develop safe and workable regulations to allow for a wider variety of water reuse projects. For example, Colorado and California both recently adopted statewide rules for Direct Potable Reuse. Similar rules are in development in other states as well.

"We are in the fourth year of a partnership with the U.S. EPA and other partners to advance a National Water Reuse Action Plan"

"Adequate funding, regulatory limitations and a lack of community understanding may limit the implementation of water reuse projects"

What are the most significant challenges in promoting water reuse, and how is the WateReuse Association addressing them?

While WateReuse has succeeded in securing new funding avenues for water reuse, adequate funding remains a challenge for many water reuse projects. In some places, regulatory limitations can

also limit the implementation of water reuse. In other instances, a lack of community understanding of the goals, benefits, and safety of water reuse projects can be a hurdle to overcome. WateReuse members use our webcasts, conferences, and committees to share strategies for addressing these challenges.

What technological advancements or innovations do you believe will have the most significant influence on the future of water reuse?

We are seeing a greater focus on the advanced purification of recycled water to a drinking-level standard, as well as more innovative approaches to reusing wastewater

Pat Sinicropi congratulating Joe Mouawad, General Manager of Eastern Municipal Water District.

and stormwater onsite in buildings and districts. I think we’ll begin to see regulatory frameworks catch up to the proven technology we have, and the technology solutions will become more widespread, affordable, and tailored to a variety of project types.

What is the role of educational and outreach initiatives to raise awareness about the benefits of water reuse and ensure best practices are implemented?

Education and outreach are key to the success of any water reuse program. Through WateReuse’s communications committee, as well as through coordinated research projects and efforts of the National Water Reuse Action Plan, we have facilitated information-sharing on some of the most

successful approaches to engaging local communities about water reuse. These include identifying key stakeholders, demonstration facilities, tours, classroom education, and more.

Could you elaborate on the economic and environmental advantages of water reuse, particularly in comparison to other alternatives to augment water supplies?

Water recycling programs throughout the nation can help mitigate the water supply consequences of climate change, ensure broader water accessibility and affordability, particularly in disadvantaged communities, and support economic stability and growth.

One economic benefit of recycled water is the ability to supply the right water for the right use. Treating recycled water to a safe standard for irrigation, for example, is cheaper than treating it for drinking. Utilities like Eastern Municipal Water District are able to provide non-drinking recycled water for agricultural users at a fraction of the cost they would pay to use conventional supplies. Recycled water can also be economically beneficial due to its reliability. When other water sources can fluctuate in cost due to climate-driven shortages, recycled water can provide a stabilizing force.

Environmentally, water reuse often compares favorably to other new water sources in terms of energy and carbon footprint, while providing a high degree of resilience to the unpredictability of climate change. By reducing both our extractions of water as well as our discharges of treated wastewater, water reuse also can provide multiple benefits to our rivers, lakes, and streams.

What are the key priorities and initiatives for the WateReuse Association in the coming years?

Our mission is to empower communities and businesses to embrace water recycling as the cornerstone to safe, resilient, and sustainable water resources. In the coming years, we are focused on securing greater federal and state investment in water reuse projects, as well as expanding the adoption of water reuse in the industrial sector. As water reuse becomes more popular across all climates and regions, we will provide tailored support to our eleven state and regional sections, as well as support the creation of new sections and international collaborations.

"We facilitate informationsharing on some of the most successful approaches to engaging local communities about water reuse"

Pat Sinicropi announcing Save the Date for the 2025 WateReuse Symposium, March 16-19 in Tampa, Florida.

INNOVATION IN WASTEWATER TREATMENT:

SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS FOR A RESILIENT FUTURE

Densely populated cities face enormous challenges in managing wastewater due to increasing water demand and climate change. The need for solutions that are more innovative than conventional methods has become urgent. In this context, companies like Tedagua are leading the way towards sustainability and efficiency with advanced technologies such as AnMBR, methanation, and electrodialysis.

Densely populated cities are facing a critical situation when it comes to the management of their wastewater. Rapid urban growth, coupled with increased domestic and industrial activities, has overburdened existing wastewater treatment systems, leading to a number of worrying environmental and demographic consequences.

First, improper wastewater management directly contaminates water sources, such as rivers, lakes, and aquifers. Untreated or poorly treated discharges introduce harmful pollutants such as pathogens, excess nutrients, and hazardous chemical compounds into aquatic ecosystems. Not only does this harm aquatic life and deteriorate water quality, but it also poses a significant risk to public health, especially in areas where communities rely on surface water sources for consumption.

In addition to environmental impacts, poor wastewater management also poses significant demographic challenges. Wa-

Densely populated cities

ter stress, exacerbated by climate change and increased demand, is forcing cities to look for alternative solutions for drinking water supply. The reuse of treated wastewater, while still presenting technical and societal challenges, is becoming an increasingly viable option to relieve pressure on natural water resources.

To address these challenges effectively, a comprehensive approach is required that combines innovative solutions with urgent action. There is a need for more efficient and sustainable wastewater treatment technologies that can reduce the environmental footprint of the process and recover valuable resources such as energy, reusable water, and nutrients.

At the national level, Spain has made efforts to comply with European requirements in terms of wastewater treatment; this is reflected in the National Plan for Purification, Sanitation, Efficiency, Savings and Reuse. This comprehensive plan aims to improve infrastructure and promote innovation in the wastewater treatment industry to comply with EU directives and protect the environment and public health.

At a European level, EU targets have been set to minimise the environmental impact of the wastewater treatment sector and make it energy-neutral. This includes reducing energy consumption, promoting water reuse, and biogas production.

Z Álvaro Diaz del Rio – Head of Innovation, Tedagua Z Jose Luis Moltó – R&D Project Manager, Tedagua

This approach will ensure Europe’s energy and environmental sustainability.

Projects such as “From Waste to Resources: From WWTP to Biofactory” are turning the challenges of wastewater treatment into opportunities. These initiatives aim to research and develop advanced technologies for nutrient recovery and energy production from organic waste, along with water regeneration, thus showing the potential transformative effect that innovative solutions can have on the sector.

One of the most promising technologies in this context is the application of anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBR). Not only will they enable the effective treatment of water that is sent to the environment, but they will also enable the generation of biogas as a by-product, which is considerable in terms of renewable energy. AnMBRs use microorganisms in an oxygen-free environment to break down organic compounds in wastewater.

The main advantage of these systems is that they produce biogas, which is mainly composed of methane and can therefore be used as an alternative source of energy. In turn, using membranes instead of traditional decanters in these systems improves effluent quality and the efficiency of the separation process. Membranes allow for more precise and effective separation of solids and microorganisms from the treated water, resulting in higher quality effluent. In addition, membranes can retain microorganisms in the reactor for longer, improving the degradation of organic compounds and biogas production. This makes it possible for membrane bioreactors to operate at up to 50% higher biomass concentrations, resulting in a significant increase in the treatment rate and overall system efficiency.

However, the application of AnMBR systems also presents its challenges. They require a high organic load in influent wastewater to function effectively, limiting their suitability for certain situations. Integrating anaerobic membrane bioreactors

with other pre-treated solid waste treatments would result in an integrated solution to address multiple waste streams and optimize efficiency in biogas production.

Another significant limitation is the low removal of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Under anaerobic conditions, AnMBR converts organic nitrogen to ammonium, but does not perform the nitrification and denitrification processes necessary to remove nitrogen. In addition, it does not favour the biological elimination of phosphorus, which requires alternating aerobic and anaerobic conditions.

These nutrients can cause significant environmental problems, such as the eutrophication of water bodies. Eutrophication occurs when excess nutrients, primarily nitrogen and phosphorus, cause uncontrolled algae growth, depleting oxygen in the water and negatively affecting aquatic life. The recovery of these nutrients not only helps mitigate these environmental impacts, but also allows them to be reused in agriculture as fertilizers, promoting a circular economy.

Electrodialysis emerges as one of the most innovative methods for the recovery

At the European level, the EU has set targets to minimise the environmental impact of wastewater treatment and achieve energy neutrality

of ammonium and phosphate ions in soluble form. This process uses selective membranes and an electric field to selectively transport specific ions across them. Thus, only the desired ions, such as ammonium and phosphate in this context, can be removed by passing through the membranes in a concentrated stream. On the other hand, chemical precipitation is a process in which chemical reagents are added to wastewater to promote the formation of insoluble solid compounds, known as precipitates. In the case of the recovery of ammonium and phosphate ions, certain chemical reagents are added that react with these ions to form solid precipitates. These precipitates can then be separated from the wastewater, thus allowing the recovery of the ions of interest and being able to have agricultural uses.

With the transition to cheap renewable energy in wastewater treatment plants, the usefulness of the biogas produced may decrease if a suitable application is not found. Converting biogas to biomethane for injection into the natural gas grid is an efficient solution. Injecting biomethane into the natural gas network not on-

Electrodialysis emerges as one of the most innovative methods for the recovery of ammonium and phosphate ions in soluble form

ly provides an efficient solution for the management of the biogas generated, but also contributes significantly to energy sustainability and carbon footprint reduction. This approach makes it possible to integrate renewable energies into the existing energy system, maximizing the use of available infrastructure and resources.

Methanation is a novel technology by which biogas is converted into high-purity biomethane using hydrogen in the Sabatier reaction. Using process intensification, multi-channel minireactors offer advantages compared to conventional fixedbed reactors, such as better mass transfer, avoiding the formation of hot spots, and an increase in throughput of 10 to 20%.

On the other hand, the porous membranes used in AnMBR allow for the retention of suspended solids and some

pathogens but are not effective against emerging contaminants such as microplastics, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals, which are of high concern in water reuse. These contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) represent a critical public health and environmental issue and can adversely affect aquatic life and eventually enter the human food chain. There is an urgent need for technologies capable of completely removing these pollutants from wastewater before they are safely discharged into the environment.

In a significant development, the European Council and Parliament reached a provisional agreement on the revised proposal of 26 October 2022 for a directive on urban wastewater treatment (COM(2022) 541 final) on January 29, 2024. In a novel approach, this directive mandates novel treatment requirements specifically target-

ing these CECs. To ensure effectiveness, a minimum 80% removal rate will be required for six indicator substances from a list of thirteen listed in Annex I, Table 3 Note 1 of the Directive.

In close collaboration with universities, research centres and technology companies, Tedagua develops and transfers these emerging technologies to meet the specific demands of cities. This encompasses technology assessment, pilot testing, and process optimization to make delivery more effective and feasible.

For the implementation and operation of wastewater treatment systems, Tedagua has the expertise and infrastructure necessary to integrate these emerging technologies. Ensuring the efficiency and sustainability of these facilities, from the conception and construction to the continuous management of the treatment plants.

There is a need for efficient wastewater treatment technologies that can reduce the environmental footprint and recover valuable resources

These new technologies mean that wastewater treatment can go in a much more sustainable and effective direction. This is because they offer innovative solutions to the current water management challenges faced by large cities. Its study and future development predict a future for a more resilient and environmentally friendly planet. Innovations and multidisciplinary approaches are helping to restore water resources and environmental health in cities, highlighting once again Tedagua’s commitment to being innovative and offering solutions to new water treatment challenges.

“The advantages of our AnMBR technology are decreased energy consumption, reduced volume of sludge biomass and the ability to generate energy”

The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) aspires to be a leading center for scientific and technological education and research. Its Water, Desalination, and Reuse Center aims to revolutionize the water cycle by reducing energy and chemical use, minimizing leaks and evaporation, and maximizing the recovery of water, energy, nutrients, and minerals.

Since joining Saudi Arabia’s prominent King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in 2012, Professor Peiying Hong and her research team have been focused on developing energy-efficient wastewater treatment methods that produce high-quality effluent suitable for reuse. Their efforts have led to a decentralized system capable of treating sewage entirely off-grid.

In July 2022, this innovative decentralized process was implemented in a pilot treatment plant in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Operated in collaboration with the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON) and funded by KAUST, this plant treats 50,000 litres of wastewater daily without relying on grid energy.

Smart Water Magazine had the chance to sit down with Professor Hong to discuss her energy-efficient wastewater treatment technology, the success of the pilot project, the future steps and the meaning of this sustainable sewage treatment solution for Saudia Arabia and the rest of the world.

Can you tell me briefly about your career path and current role at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)?

Z Olivia Tempest

I did my PhD at the National University of Singapore (NUS), specializing in applied environmental microbiology in Environmental Science and Engineering. During my PhD, I was developing molecular methods to examine the microbial communities in stool samples to relate to the origin of contamination and the health status of the host. I then did my postdoctoral training at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, and worked on a United States Department of Agriculture funded project that aims to elucidate how antibiotics use in livestock production farms can affect the extent of antimicrobial resistance threats

in the manure, groundwater, soil and air. Through these projects, I learnt the immense amount of information one can gain by looking at the microbial communities in the various waste streams.

When I arrived at KAUST in Saudi Arabia as an Assistant Professor, I learnt that wastewater can be a very important water source to address water scarcity in this hyperarid country, and yet water reuse remains taboo. I wanted to understand the emerging microbial contaminants that are present in the wastewater, and to utilize that knowledge to develop good intervention measures in the form of engineered wastewater treatment sys-

"In the absence of oxygen, the anaerobic microorganisms convert the organic carbon in wastewater to volatile fatty acids and methane"

water treatment plant that requires a sufficient amount of dissolved oxygen to be provided. In the absence of oxygen, the anaerobic microorganisms convert the organic carbon in wastewater to volatile fatty acids and methane. Methane can be combusted into an energy source. This is in contrast to aerobic microorganisms that utilize the organic carbon in wastewater to support microbial cell growth. Based on these differences, the advantages of our AnMBR technology are decreased energy consumption (because of the elimination of aeration), reduced volume of sludge biomass and the ability to generate energy. Coupling the anaerobic digester with membrane filtration can also improve the effluent quality.

What were the key challenges you encountered whilst implementing the AnMBR technology in the pilot program with MODON in Jeddah, and how were they addressed?

tems and best management practices. This is done to promote higher acceptance towards water reuse through a science-based approach. Over the past 12 years, we have been working towards increasing our knowledge in this area and developing solutions to derive safe and sustainably sourced reclaimed water.

Can you explain how anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) technology differs from traditional aerobic wastewater treatment methods, and what advantages it offers?

The anaerobic membrane bioreactor utilizes a completely different suite of microorganisms that thrive in the absence of oxygen, unlike that in an aerobic waste-

We initiated the program when COVID-19 first hit and there was a significant challenge in initiating the logistics required to ship the reactors from overseas to Saudi Arabia. We also faced a delay in getting the civil construction work done in time. We had to communicate constantly with the different stakeholders and oversee the completion of these tasks. Once the AnMBR technology was commissioned, the challenge lay in ensuring the AnMBR technology remained robust despite variability in real wastewater quality (e.g. highly variable pH and chemicals). In addition, there were some unforeseen circumstances such as heavy rainfall which flooded the entire site and did not permit

"We have shown over the past two years that our treatment plant can operate in a very robust manner and continue to purify the wastewater"

"We are looking into technological solutions to reduce dissolved methane in the reclaimed water to improve AnMBR’s overall life cycle"

our manpower to operate the system in person. Fortunately, despite these challenges, we have shown over the past two years that our treatment plant can operate in a very robust manner and continue to purify the wastewater to meet our imposed suite of key performance indicators.

What are some specific opportunities and challenges you foresee in scaling up the AnMBR technology into broader implementation across different regions and industries?

In different regions, the local climate may be different from that in Saudi Arabia. We currently operate our AnMBR technology in a hot climate, which favours anaerobic fermentation. In places with temperate climates, anaerobic fermentation may result in a higher percentage of methane dissolved in the aqueous phase and contribute towards greenhouse gas emissions when the reclaimed water is reused. We are looking into technological solutions to reduce dissolved methane in the reclaimed water to improve the overall life cycle of the AnMBR technology.

"We are looking into a suitable pretreatment step to do a partial treatment of complex industrial wastewater prior to the AnMBR technology"

As the AnMBR technology continues to scale up and be deployed to different industries, it will be challenged with very different wastewater quality than that we have tested. For example, industries wastewater that are receiving discharge from petroleum refineries would contain high concentrations of sulphate and hydrocarbons, which can significantly challenge the anaerobic fermentation process. We are currently looking into a suitable pretreatment step to do a partial treatment of complex industrial wastewater prior to the AnMBR technology.

In what ways does the AnMBR technology contribute to the broader goals of Vision 2030 in Saudi Arabia, particularly in terms of water reuse and sustainability?

In the Saudi Vision 2030, the goal is to achieve 100% sewage capture and reuse. Nevertheless, achieving 100% sewage capture can be challenging if Saudi Arabia only relies on a centralized wastewater capture and treatment model. This is because a centralized model would require extensive excavation to lay out the sewage network, which can create significant disturbances to the existing communities. In addition, populations living in peri-urban/rural communities are often overlooked when it comes to sanitation infrastructure planning. This is because of various reasons such as long proximity to the existing central-

ized wastewater treatment plant, and low generated sewage volume over a scattered population density, all of which necessitate substantial investments to bring the existing sanitation solutions to these populations. Our technology can facilitate efficient capture of all wastewater that are currently not connected to centralized wastewater treatment plants, purify them, and immediately reuse the purified water in nearby vicinities.

In addition, Saudi Vision 2030 aims to move towards more sustainable practices that do not emit a large carbon footprint. Compared to existing aerobic-based solutions which require mechanical aeration, our anaerobic-based solution eliminates the need for aeration. Thus, our solution generates only 0.3 kg equivalent of carbon dioxide per 1000 L of wastewater purified, which is half of the 0.6 kg equivalent of carbon dioxide (greenhouse gas) for every 1000 L of wastewater purified by the conventional aerobic-based wastewater purification solution.

Lastly, since July 2022, our system has successfully demonstrated that we can generate an average of 1.5 kWh of electrical energy for every 1000 litres of wastewater treated. In addition to this, we harvest approximately 410 kWh of solar energy daily and store it onsite in battery systems, enabling our solution to operate continuously using only clean renewable energy.

Can you discuss the potential environmental benefits of implementing the AnMBR technology compared to traditional wastewater treatment methods? In addition to what was mentioned in the previous response, our solution also generates very little solid waste sludge. For example, over a period of 30 weeks of operation, our solution did not produce any solid waste. This is in contrast to the aerobic-based wastewater purification solution that generates on average 0.6 L of solid waste per 1000 L of wastewater purified. The solid waste generated from the wastewater treatment process usual-

ly accumulates high concentrations of pharmaceutical compounds, estrogens, heavy metals and antibiotic-resistance genes. Our solution therefore positively impacts the environment by minimizing the amount of hazardous solid waste that needs to be handled and disposed of.

Our solution currently generates 50,000 L of high-quality reclaimed water which contains about 50 mg/L of ammonium, which can be used to support the growth of nutritious food crops (e.g. lettuce). Every 1 kg of marketable yield of lettuce requires about 20 L of water over a harvest cycle of 60 days. As our current solution produces 50,000 L of water per day, this means that 150 tons of lettuce can be made from our reclaimed water for each harvest cycle.

Could you discuss the economic feasibility of the AnMBR technology, including factors such as initial investment costs, operational expenses, and

potential cost savings compared to conventional treatment methods?

We published a perspective recently to discuss the economic feasibility. In this paper, we showed that AnMBR technology costs about 855 USD per m3 for the initial investment costs. This is about 18% cheaper than the aerobic membrane bioreactor technology. The AnMBR technology’s operation cost is 0.067 USD/m3 (including energy consumption, membrane replacement, and chemical consumption), which is lower than AeMBR (0.100 USD/m3).

Looking ahead, what are the next steps in your research, and how do you plan to continue collaborating with industry partners and stakeholders to advance the field of wastewater treatment?

We are currently demonstrating our technology at a treatment capacity of 50 m3 per day. However, we learnt from our conversations with the relevant stakeholders

that in most instances, they are generating wastewater that is at least 1000 m3 per day. We will therefore need more investment to scale up our technology to about 600 m3 per day, and demonstrate that the technology can work efficiently at that scale to treat different types of wastewater. We are in the midst of conversations to solicit funding from industry partners, investors and other stakeholders. Once successfully demonstrated, this will allow us to scale up accordingly by installing multiple modular units, with each module providing 600 m3 treatment capacity.

"Achieving 100% sewage capture can be challenging if Saudi Arabia only relies on a centralized wastewater capture and treatment model"

HRS BIOGAS DEHUMIDIFICATION SYSTEM BOOSTS ENERGY EFFICIENCY FOR MELBOURNE WATER

Sewage and wastewater treatment is an energy-intensive process, but a recent upgrade project at Melbourne Water’s Eastern Treatment Plant is helping to reduce emissions in accordance with company and state objectives.

A key part of the upgrade is a Biogas Dehumidification System (BDS) from HRS Heat Exchangers. As well as prolonging the working life of the site’s electricity generation equipment, the technology is also improving energy efficiency and reducing operating costs. Crucially, the upgrade ensures the site can generate around 30% of its own energy needs from biogas.

Located in the Melbourne suburb of Bangholme, some 19 miles south-east of the city centre, Melbourne Water’s Eastern Treatment Plant (ETP) treats almost half of all Melbourne’s sewage, an average of 330 million litres a day. Constructed in 1975, the 1,000 ha site is now the second-largest wastewater treatment plant in Australia and the largest activated sludge plant in the Southern Hemisphere producing Class A recycled water from an advanced tertiary treatment system.

The path to net zero

The ETP has always generated energy from sewage gas, and the site houses seven power generators which are capable

Melbourne Water’s Eastern Treatment Plant (ETP) treats almost half of all Melbourne’s sewage, an average of 330 million litres a day

The HRS Biogas Dehumidification System (BDS) is specifically designed to improve the operating life and energy efficiency of biogas engines

of running solely on biogas – produced through the anaerobic digestion of sludge during the first and second phases of water treatment. In 2020, Melbourne Water began a project with the John Holland-KBR Joint Venture to upgrade the biogas handling system at the Eastern Treatment Plant to make it more efficient, resilient and future-proof. Expanding capacity, preventing corrosion and sedimentation, and extending the working life of equipment were key aims, with specific requirements to re-

move liquid droplets and moisture and to minimise the size and cost of any necessary cooling system.

An energy-intensive process, sewage transfer and treatment is responsible for around 85% of Melbourne Water’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, so contributing to the company’s Net Zero commitment was a main target for the project. “However, with existing assets nearing the end of their service life, ensuring that the new asset can service future production growth and

plant upgrades was also essential,” says Nick Fung, Senior Project Manager at Melbourne Water. Increasing reliability for the operations team on site and improving safety across both operation and maintenance were further aims.

Energy-saving solution

Biogas contains hydrogen sulphide (H2S) gas, which condensates out to form a highly corrosive liquid. Including a system to remove most of the moisture from the gas was, therefore, essential to minimise the amount of corrosion and degradation of the power station generators, while also limiting operational downtime and reducing the need to import electricity from the grid.

HRS Heat Exchangers was one of five companies invited to tender for the moisture removal equipment in the project. The HRS BDS removes water from biogas, protecting combined heat and power (CHP) engines and generator sets from corrosion and cavitation. It condenses more than 90% of the water present in biogas by reducing the temperature to leave a clean, green gas. The addition of heat regeneration technology means the cold biogas produced can be used to pre-cool the incoming warmer biogas. This reduces the load on the final cooling heat exchanger and saves valuable energy.

The BDS supplied as part of the project has a maximum capacity of 4,161 m3/hr (4,710 kg/hr), while the inclusion of an energy recovery section subsequently reduces the eventual chiller load by 30%, improving the overall energy footprint of the whole project. This BDS consists

In 2020, Melbourne Water began a project with the John Holland-KBR JV to upgrade the biogas handling system at the Eastern Treatment Plant

of two heat exchangers, a regeneration unit, and a final cooler, supplied on two skids. One skid – which is located in a hazardous area zone – contains the heat exchangers, a condensate knockout pot, a condensate drain line, and all the relevant IECEx-rated instrumentation. The second skid contains a buffer tank, standby and duty glycol pumps, and all the relevant glycol line process control valves and instruments. HRS also supplied an additional chiller and detailed process control descriptions, enabling

“The current first phase uses biogas supplied by the compressors and aftercoolers at an average pressure of 66 kPa. In the second (future) scenario, the gas is supplied following a number of additional treatments at an average pressure of 5 kPa and then supplied to the compressors. We therefore had to deal with two very different inlet conditions.

“The addition of heat regeneration added further complexity in terms of design. However, thanks to our cutting-edge technology, not only were

An energy-intensive process, sewage transfer and treatment is responsible for around 85% of Melbourne Water’s total greenhouse gas emissions

the joint venture engineers to provide overall control and automation systems for the client.

Overcoming complex design parameters

Added design complexity came from the fact that the BDS needed to meet the requirements of two different operational stages, each of which contains four duty requirements. This meant a complex thermal design process was necessary to make sure that the supplied unit could meet all eight of the potential design scenarios.

Ella Taghavi, Project Manager and Technical Lead at HRS Heat Exchangers, explains: “Designing the BDS for the Melbourne Water project posed a significant challenge as it needed to cater to both current and future demands, with two very different conditions in each phase.

capital costs reduced as a smaller chiller could be specified, but regeneration is also helping to lower ongoing operational costs.”

Robust and reliable

From being awarded the contract in July 2021, it took less than twelve months for HRS to install this bespoke BDS on site, with commissioning completed in June 2022.

“HRS have worked with the JH-KBR JV project team since 2020 and we were

The HRS BDS formed part of a wider upgrade to the biogas handling equipment at Melbourne Water’s Eastern Treatment Plant

delighted when they asked us to bid on this project,” adds Ella. “Our experience in project management, construction and logistics enabled us to overcome early design challenges and respond to necessary changes during the design and construction process. As a result, we were able to deliver a high-quality product that has performed to specification since its installation.”

The John Holland-KBR team noted that of the five tendered solutions, the technology of the HRS BDS stood out

including excellent technical support to help develop the project further with Melbourne Water, from an initial concept to a detailed, functional design.

Since it was commissioned, the HRS BDS has been performing well and meeting its performance targets, with no breakdowns or interventions.

The upgrade project has improved the reliability and quality of the biogas supply to the power station at ETP, providing more confidence in its ability to provide more than 36,000 MWh (approximately 130TJ) of thermal energy for process heating. This means a reduced reliance on natural gas, making the overall operation more self-sufficient and reducing overall emissions.

Designing

The HRS BDS at Melbourne Water’s Eastern Treatment Plant incorporated some complex design elements

“Technology can have a transformative impact, so supporting customers' continued digital transformation is a key focus”

ability to my remit. In that role, I led corporate and sustainability strategy, M&A, research and development, and smart water efforts. Since 2023, I have served as Senior Vice President and Chief Growth and Innovation Officer at Xylem, following the company’s acquisition of Evoqua. I lead the company’s approach to improving customer experience and outcomes, with a focus on innovation and digital transformation.

With a commitment to developing innovative solutions, Xylem focuses on advanced technologies and digital transformation to enhance water management practices, supporting customers in tackling current challenges such as PFAS contamination in drinking water.

approach, emphasizing innovation and digital transformation.

What are some of the current and future opportunities for Xylem and its customers in terms of innovation and digital transformation?

Xylem is dedicated to solving the world’s most challenging water issues by employing cutting-edge technologies. One of the most pressing concerns for water utilities in the United States is PFAS contamination in drinking water. Partnering with utilities and leveraging its expertise in digital transformation, Xylem helps communities ensure safe, clean drinking water and meet stringent regulatory standards. Smart Water Magazine recently interviewed Snehal Desai, Xylem’s Chief Growth and Innovation Officer. With an extensive background in chemical engineering and business, Snehal has a deep passion for water and sustainability. Since 2023, he has been driving Xylem’s customer-centric

"Across the U.S., more than 5,000 water systems will need to develop new water sources or install advanced treatment technologies for PFAS"

Please tell us briefly about your career path and your current role at Xylem. I originally studied chemical engineering as an undergraduate at the University of Michigan, but I quickly found that working in a lab was not for me. I found the business side of things more compelling and completed an MBA with the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University.

My passion for water began when I landed my first job as a technical salesperson in water treatment with the Dow Chemical Company. I’d spend my days driving from city to city, talking to power plant operators and pharmaceutical engineers about solutions to optimize operations.

After a decade, I left and spent some time working in renewable and green chemical manufacturing and product development, but water kept calling me, and I eventually returned to Dow to lead its water and process solutions business.

In 2018, I joined Evoqua as Chief Growth Officer, later adding sustain-

We’re at an inflection point for water, where our customers are seeing pervasive challenges but also incredible opportunities. We’re using the latest innovations and technologies to empower our customers to address these challenges. Water scarcity, quality, affordability, and infrastructure resilience – both physical and digital – are key areas of focus for us.

Take infrastructure resilience. Water operators are on the frontlines of climate change impacts. Ageing infrastructure combined with variable water supply –whether too much or not enough – is posing serious challenges, but technology can offer fast and affordable solutions. For example, record rainfall in regions around the world is straining ageing systems already stressed by population growth, forcing operators to battle against sewer overflows. Smart sewer systems offer an efficient solution. In Buffalo, New York, a real-time decision support system reduced combined sewer overflows by 450 million gallons in the first 12 months, along with savings of $145 million.

Likewise, technology innovation is enabling communities to manage water scarcity, quality, and affordability issues. We’re helping our customers to integrate digital technologies into their existing systems for rapid and cost-effective gains.

SNEHAL DESAI - CHIEF GROWTH AND INNOVATION OFFICER AT XYLEM

Z Cristina Novo Pérez

"Ageing infrastructure combined with variable water supply is posing serious challenges, but technology can offer fast and affordable solutions"

Integrated data management tools such as Xylem Vue powered by GoAigua provide water operators with a single view of their networks, helping them to manage their systems more effectively.

The EPA recently announced new PFAS regulations. How will this im-

pact water utilities and how is Xylem helping operators address PFAS in the water supply?

The new regulations from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have set maximum contaminant levels for PFAS for the first time. This brings significant implications for our water

utility customers, and the scale of the challenge should not be underestimated.

Across the U.S., more than 5,000 water systems will need to develop new water sources or install advanced treatment technologies. Our job is to help our customers navigate these new rules and find the best possible solution for effective remediation.

"There are practical ways to remove PFAS from drinking water: two of our key technologies are granular activated carbon and ion exchange resin"

The good news is, there are practical ways for communities to remove PFAS from drinking water. Proven solutions exist. We’ve been supporting customers with PFAS remediation technologies with over 80 installations in the last 10 years.

One example of a successful installation is in Orange County, California. Following a change in California law in 2020, the Orange County Water District (OCWD) deployed more than 30 liquid-phase media adsorption vessel systems to treat PFAS. The vessels were connected to existing drinking water wells, enabling the district to continue delivering clean drinking water to its more than 2.5 million customers. This deployment is a great example of selecting a system that helps water operators get ahead of future requirements.

What are some of the technologies and solutions that you offer or are developing for PFAS?

Two of our key treatment technologies are granular activated carbon and ion exchange resin. Granular activated car-

"In

the U.S., upgrading facilities and infrastructure will cost $50 bn, with approximately 40% covered by federal funding and legal settlements"

bon is widely used due to its effectiveness, scalability, and relatively low cost. It involves passing contaminated water through a bed of activated carbon particles. PFAS compounds are adsorbed onto the surface of the carbon, removing them from the water. Our experts can help utility and industrial customers select the right carbon, enabling them to improve carbon performance, increase the time between exchanges, and minimize operating costs.

Another option is Ion Exchange Resin, which involves passing contaminated water through a resin bed containing charged particles that attract and bind together with PFAS molecules, removing them from the water. This replaces PFAS ions with less harmful ions, purifying the water. We supply ion exchange resins for PFAS remediation in municipal and industrial applications, as well as specialty resins for high-purity applications in the microelectronics, nuclear, and food and beverage industries.

Could you provide an example of a utility that has successfully adopted your technologies for PFAS mitigation?

In addition to the OCWD example, we worked with the Stratmoor Hills Water District (SHWD) in Southern Colorado to identify a cost-effective solution. The utility had detected PFOA and PFOS – two of the most commonly identifiable PFAS compounds of concern –

and chose to deploy selective single-use ion exchange treatment to counter the threat. The utility reduced contaminants to levels below compliance limits and mitigated water quality issues. This solution has also been extensively used in California and Massachusetts for removing perchlorate, a contaminant with similar properties to PFAS.

Can you comment on the challenges faced by utilities trying to meet treatment and compliance goals for drinking water?

Utilities face numerous challenges in meeting treatment and compliance goals, including uncertainty about regulations, significant financial burdens, and a shortage of expertise due to an ageing workforce.

In the U.S., it’s estimated that upgrading facilities and infrastructure will cost $50 billion, with approximately 40% being covered by federal funding and legal settlements. The rest must be fund-

ed through alternative sources or raising rates. Additionally, there’s a growing demand for water operators and experts experienced in treatment and accessing funding. Innovation and partnership are crucial for addressing these challenges. That’s where the private sector comes in. We work alongside our customers to understand and address their challenges with innovation.

What are your goals and vision for Xylem’s growth and innovation in the next five years?

Our goals for Xylem remain consistent for the coming years – bringing the best innovations to our customers to solve their challenges. Technology can have a

transformative impact on our customers and communities, so supporting customers' continued digital transformation is a key focus.

For those utilities just beginning their digital journeys, there are rapid and cost-effective improvements available that will yield huge rewards. For utilities that are more advanced in their digital journey, helping them to identify and plan for future improvements is vital. For example, utilities with a range of digital solutions in place can use our vendor-agnostic data integration platform, Xylem Vue powered by GoAigua, to unify their data streams and optimize operations.

Accelerating the decarbonization of the water sector is also a priority. We recently conducted a study, which showed that almost half of utilities have set a net-zero emissions goal. Helping our customers achieve those goals through advanced technologies underpins our innovation strategy. In 2022, we achieved our goal of enabling water operators to

cut CO2e emissions by 2.8 million metric tons, three years ahead of schedule. By combining our expertise and service capabilities with market leading transport, metering, treatment, and measurement products, we can optimize our customers’ performance.

A large part of our innovation strategy is fostering collaborative partnerships through Xylem Innovation Labs. We have a long history of partnering with universities, startups, technology companies, and venture capital firms to scale new innovations. By combining the creativity and agility of entrepreneurship with Xylem’s global scale and reach, we can accelerate technologies that address the world’s most critical water challenges.

SERGIY MOROZ

POLICY MANAGER FOR BIODIVERSITY AND WATER, EUROPEAN ENVIRONMENTAL BUREAU

OPINION

Making EU more water resilient through nature-based solutions cannot wait

On 29 and 30 May the European Commission held its conference on the environment, the so-called EU Green Week, which stressed the need to make people more aware of the water challenges we face and concluded with a clear call for the EU to become more water resilient.

Water is a vital shared resource to be passed down from generation to generation and one of the essentials for people, the environment and a just, sustainable, and resilient economy. In recent years, Europeans across different parts of the continent have faced a surge in natural disasters, such as droughts and floods, which have made the EU’s water challenges even more severe and triggered a new awareness about the need to become more water resilient. However, pressures on ecosystems, which are the source of freshwater, are not only due to the impacts of climate change, but also due to decades of structural mismanagement of this precious resource, pollution and ecosystem degradation. Our water cycle is out of balance, closely intertwined with climate change and biodiversity loss, all further exacerbating each other. The recent update of the Living Planet Index has highlighted again just how degraded Europe’s aquatic ecosystems are with migratory freshwater fish in Europe showing a drastic 75% decline in populations due to those pressures.

This is why the conclusion from the EU’s Green Week that Europe must become more water resilient is right, however, it needs to be achieved through nature-based solutions and should be a political priority for the EU in the next legislative mandate. While existing EU policies and legislation, such as the EU Water Framework Directive, are well designed to address the mismanagement of water resources and the protection and restoration of freshwater and marine ecosystems, they are poorly implemented, underfunded and barely enforced.

The Initiative for Water Resilience, announced as one of the three priorities for the European Commission in 2024, received positive feedback from many Member States and stakeholders and has created expectations for a more sustainable use of water resources. Water resilience must come from maintaining and enhancing the many services healthy and resilient ecosystems provide, such as wetlands which naturally absorb, filter and store

water and provide natural buffers against floods and droughts, diverse forests which support the water cycle, deltas which maintain the balance between salty and freshwater conditions, or agricultural systems under organic and agroecological farming which protect water bodies from contaminants, reduce leaching and enhance the ability of the soil to retain water. Climate adaptation solutions should not come at the cost of ecosystem degradation and should avoid locking in water- and energy-intensive practices, without increasing inequalities in water access. This is why nature-based solutions should be prioritised over building new water reservoirs, water transfers or desalination plants.

There is also a strong need for the EU to guide, coordinate and drive Member States’ water and climate adaptation action, in a more stringent way including via the adoption of the Climate

"Our water cycle is out of balance, closely intertwined with climate change and biodiversity loss, all further exacerbating each other"

Resilience Law which would require Member States to create natural water reserves to protect critical water supplies and their catchments in water-stressed areas among other requirements.

In a nutshell, we need more nature, not less, to address the interrelated triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss. We also need to move towards a more responsible and equitable use of our water resources. For decades, we have been extracting unsustainable amounts of water in many regions of the continent, as if unlimited water would be available forever. The EU needs to transition towards a more sustainable use of water for all sectors and households, which leaves enough clean water in ecosystems and enables decision-makers and economic actors to plan the necessary investments and ensure that this transition is fair.

“The Harvest Water Program is a long-term solution to provide additional water supplies for future drought conditions”

HEIDI ORIOL - HARVEST WATER PROGRAM COORDINATOR

California’s largest agricultural water recycling scheme, Harvest Water, with an estimated cost of $597 million, is now in the construction phase. A significant part of SacSewer’s goal to increase recycled water delivery, the program will facilitate natural groundwater recovery, support sustainable agriculture, and enhance existing local habitats.

Water Program Coordinator. Harvest Water is a truly unique opportunity for our region, and for me personally. I am privileged to support a program with such wide-ranging benefits, a novel approach to water and habitat conservation, and a talented team of people who are passionate about this effort.

What inspired Harvest Water, and what specific goals does it aim to achieve?

In southern Sacramento County, decreasing groundwater levels are affecting water sustainability and ecosystem health. The idea of the Harvest Water Program dates back to 2004, with a long-term goal to increase recycled water deliveries that can be used instead of pumped groundwater for irrigation. The program has attracted key partners along the way to harness groundwater improvements and become a comprehensive program to strengthen and protect local habitats. We speak with Heidi Oriol, the program coordinator of the Harvest Water Program, about the details of this unique recycled water scheme.

"Harvest Water will deliver reliable, high-quality recycled water to agricultural lands and existing habitats in southern Sacramento County"

Can you tell us briefly about your career path and your current role at the Sacramento Area Sewer District (SacSewer)?

A bachelor’s degree in Environmental Resources Engineering at Humboldt State University in Arcata, California led me to an interest in water quality challenges and how we can manage this crucial resource for both people and the environment. After college, I worked for 14 years at a public water and wastewater utility in the San Francisco Bay Area. I had amazing mentors there and wonderful opportunities to build experience in water resources planning, water recycling, and wastewater infrastructure planning. I especially enjoyed projects that involved developing partnerships with other agencies, negotiating collaborative agreements, and advancing regulatory advocacy in new areas. In 2015, I moved to the Sacramento area and found a position with the Sacramento Area Sewer District (SacSewer). In my current role, I work as a Senior Civil Engineer in Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, where I also serve as a Harvest

Harvest Water’s beginnings can be traced to 2004 when we set a long-term goal to increase recycled water deliveries by up to 40 million gallons per day. At the time, a water recycling opportunities study identified the delivery of recycled water to agricultural lands in southern Sacramento County as a viable alternative to help achieve those goals. Soon after, we began a planning effort known as the South County Ag Project. Those initial studies and activities began a comprehensive development process that eventually evolved into the current Harvest Water program. Along the way, key partners joined the effort to develop a broader approach that leverages the groundwater improvements Harvest Water will make into a comprehensive program to strengthen and protect local habitats. This makes Harvest Water a truly unique program with wide-ranging benefits to groundwater sustainability, agriculture, and groundwater-dependent ecosystems.

Can you provide an overview of what the program entails, and the expected timeline for implementation?

Harvest Water will deliver reliable, high-quality recycled water to agricultural lands and existing habitats in southern Sacramento County. When complete, Harvest Water will supply up to 50,000 acre-feet, which is roughly 16 billion gallons, of drought-resistant recycled water each year and bring other lasting benefits to the region.

Z Cristina Novo Pérez

The Harvest Water system will be constructed through multiple construction projects featuring a new pumping station, nearly 42 miles of pipeline, and service connection improvements to control delivery of water to the agricultural customers. Contractor mobilization began in late 2023 and construction activities began in early 2024. Construction will continue into 2026, with initial water deliveries expected in early 2027.

Harvest Water reinforces SacSewer’s commitment to environmental stewardship, offering alternative water supply for local agricultural needs. By reducing the need to pump groundwater, the project has the potential to increase groundwater storage through natural recovery by 370,000 acre-feet. The resulting increased groundwater levels will protect and enhance groundwater-dependent ecosystems in the area.

Harvest Water will promote natural groundwater recovery, boost sustainable agriculture, and strengthen existing local habitats in southern Sacramento County, where declining groundwater levels in the past have impacted water sustainability and groundwater-dependent ecosystem health. Restoring groundwater levels to historic conditions by irrigating with recycled water instead of pumped groundwater will drive multiple habitat benefits. Harvest Water will accomplish the following:

J Improve groundwater conditions to sustain over 5,000 acres of riparian and wetland habitats.

J Enhance habitats for a variety of listed species, including Sandhill crane, Swainson’s hawk, and Giant garter snake.

J Increase streamflow in the Cosumnes River, supporting a longer migration window for Fall-run Chinook salmon.

J Reduce salinity and nutrients in the Sacramento and Delta waterways.

I encourage anyone who would like to know more about Harvest Water to visit our website at SacHarvestWater.org and watch our 4-minute video about the program and the benefits it will bring.

"Restoring groundwater to historic conditions by irrigating with recycled water in lieu of groundwater will drive multiple habitat benefits"

What will be the price of recycled water for agricultural uses, and how does it compare with other options?

Recently, the SacSewer Board of Directors approved a pricing schedule for Harvest Water. The pricing approach needed to be competitive with existing water sources for agriculture in the service area. For the landowners and users to partially substitute their current water supplies with recycled water, it must be cost-effective, reliable, and not create onerous regulatory burdens. Today, the cost to the landowners/users for water supply in the Harvest Water service area is relatively inexpensive and is roughly equivalent to the cost of electricity that

recycled water for the majority of their irrigation needs. Harvest Water’s pricing approach includes annual adjustments to volumetric costs to match actual increases in electricity rates and local groundwater use fees.

Can you comment on the role of collaboration with partners in this project?

Harvest Water would not exist without the essential support and collaboration of many stakeholders. As a leader in environmental sustainability, SacSewer is proud to be leading Harvest Water in close collaboration with a wide variety of regional partners. Our stakeholders

"Restoring groundwater to historic conditions by irrigating with recycled water in lieu of groundwater will drive multiple habitat benefits"

and supporters are almost too numerous to list, but key parties include local agriculture, environmental organizations, regional water managers, local government, and our state regulatory agencies that support the use of recycled water. Support for Harvest Water has been immense, and the collaboration with others is a very rewarding element of this program.

What are the costs of the program, and how is it being funded, now and into the future?

Harvest Water is estimated to cost approximately $597 million. This estimate includes planning, design, construction, and land protection, along with the initial ten years of habitat protection activities and monitoring of groundwater and habitat.

The California Water Commission awarded Harvest Water $291.8 million in Proposition 1 grant funding through the Water Storage Investment Program (WSIP) to help make Harvest Water a reality for the Sacramento region. WSIP funding was awarded through a rigor-

"Support for Harvest Water has been immense, and the collaboration with others is a very rewarding element of this program"

ous and competitive review process with funding based on the public benefits to water quality and ecosystems that Harvest Water will provide.

Harvest Water has also been awarded a $30 million grant from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation as part of the Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Program.

How will Harvest Water ensure that the recycled water is safe to use?

Since April 2003, our water recycling program has provided an environmentally responsible and safe water supply for non-potable purposes, such as landscape irrigation and industrial uses. SacSewer’s recycled water is treated sewage that has undergone additional filtration and disinfection processes to make the water safe for non-potable (non-drinking) uses.

In 2010, SacSewer received a stringent new discharge permit for its treated sewage that required significant improvements to its treatment processes. The result was a $1.7 billion facility upgrade, called the EchoWater Project, which was completed in 2023. Tertiary-treated water produced by the EchoWater Resource Recovery Facility, located near Elk Grove, California, now meets water quality standards for unrestricted recycled water uses, including the irrigation of food crops. This greatly increases the amount of water we can provide for recycled water uses. Recycled water treated at the EchoWater Facility meets and ex-

ceeds California’s most stringent irrigation requirements for recycled water. California’s recycled water standards are among the most stringent in the world, and the state has a long history of successful and safe recycled water use. Recycled water is delivered through purple or marked pipes that are completely separate from the potable (drinking) water pipes. Additionally, water recycling production facilities and distribution systems are monitored continuously. Routine inspections are conducted to ensure there is no cross connection between potable water systems and recycled water pipes.

In what ways does the Harvest Water Program align with broader water management initiatives and policies in California, and how does it contribute to statewide efforts to address water scarcity?

Harvest Water supports a variety of statewide water policies in California, including the following:

J Supports California’s recycling goal of 2 million acre-feet per year by 2030.

J Raises local groundwater levels by more than 25 feet to help advance the goal of basin sustainability under California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).

J Increases regional self-reliance and integrated water management across all levels of government. Harvest Water has been ranked as a high-priority program in the American River Basin Integrated Regional Water Management Plan (IRWMP).

J Helps achieve the Delta Reform Act and Delta Plan’s co-equal goals of water supply reliability and ecosystem protection.

J Addresses the Governor’s California Water Action Plan with a long-term solution to provide additional water supplies for future drought conditions.

J Helps achieve the California State Water Resources Control Board’s (SWRCB) statewide goal and Basin Plan policy for

water recycling by providing up to 50,000 acre-feet per year of recycled water.

What are some of the key lessons learned from implementing Harvest Water so far that could be applicable to other water recycling initiatives globally?

One of the challenging aspects of water management is that, while water is a universal and essential need, the drivers for water scarcity, appropriate management approaches, and costs for solutions are greatly impacted by local influences. One of the most inspiring elements of Harvest Water is the amazing work that was accomplished to bring together local organizations to leverage a water recycling project into a much more meaningful program. What started as an idea for reusing an important water resource locally became a much broader vision for a multi-benefit program supporting water management, habitat enhancement, and local agriculture. The way to find those multi-benefit opportunities is to reach out to others in the region to fully understand societal and environmental water needs, water costs, water sources, and potential partnerships. Fully exploring the benefits and opportunities of a proposed water project with a wide range of local stakeholders early in a project’s development can open the door for unique opportunities.

In March 2024, the English water community unveiled a comprehensive plan to eliminate 150,000 annual sewage spills by 2030 through nearly 9,000 storm overflow improvements. If approved by Ofwat, this plan would implement the world’s most significant storm overflow programme, ensuring all 14,187 overflows in England meet or exceed government targets.

Storm overflows, also known as Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), are critical components of England and Wales’s sewerage system. These structures act as relief valves during heavy rainfalls, releasing excess rainwater and wastewater into rivers or seas to prevent the sewer system from becoming overwhelmed. If the system becomes inundated, it can lead to severe flooding or even sewage backing up into homes, posing significant health risks and property damage.

These overflows are not a new concept; they have been a part of the infrastructure since before the 1960s. Despite being less environmentally harmful than other pollution sources, such as untreated sewage from treatment works or agricultural runoff, storm overflows still have substantial impacts on river and coastal ecosystems. There are currently over 14,000 storm overflows across England, and their role in managing wastewater has come under increasing scrutiny in the past years due to their environmental and aesthetic impacts.

Storm overflows, also known as Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), are critical components of England and Wales’s sewerage system

Said this, the United Kingdom is not the only European country to have CSOs. Currently, Denmark, Belgium, The Netherlands and parts of Germany also use this type of infrastructure that acts as relief valves when the sewerage system is at risk of being overwhelmed. According to Water UK, the trade association for the UK water industry, England has a much lower number of CSOs than other countries with England and Wales achieving one hundred per cent monitoring at the end of 2023.

Addressing the causes and impacts of storm overflow use is a complex task involving various government bodies. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Welsh Government set the legislative and policy framework for wastewater management, which is then implemented by the Environment Agency in England and Natural Resources Wales in Wales. These agencies monitor water quality, issue permits for storm overflows, and take legal action against companies for permit breaches. Ofwat, the economic regulator, sets performance targets for water companies and can impose fines for non-compliance with license conditions.

Rising concerns over overuse

Ofwat has warned that public concern about storm overflows has heightened,

particularly over their operation during periods of insignificant rainfall. The resulting discharges can severely damage aquatic ecosystems and make rivers and beaches less enjoyable for recreation. Additionally, the presence of sewage in these water bodies erodes public trust in water companies.

The efforts to reduce storm overflow spills are further complicated by climate change, population growth, and urbanisation. Climate change is expected to bring more intense rainfall, exacerbating the frequency and impact of storm overflows. Additionally, urbanisation increases the amount of impervious surfaces,

CSO s

Z Olivia Tempest - G Tideway

such as roads and buildings, which prevents rainwater from being absorbed into the ground. This leads to higher volumes of runoff entering the sewer system, further stressing the infrastructure. Over the last 25 years, urban land cover has increased by 30 per cent and suburban cover by 40 per cent.

Despite the problematic aspects of CSOs, Water UK argues that the complete removal of storm overflows would require constructing a new parallel sewer network at an estimated cost of up to £600 billion, significantly increasing household bills and causing extensive disruption due to roadworks and construction. However, the association argues that upgrading and modernizing the existing sewer network can substantially reduce the frequency and impact of overflow events.

The National Storm Overflow Plan

In October 2023, water companies in England and Wales, through Water UK, proposed an unprecedented £96 billion investment to secure the country’s water supplies and upgrade its sewage systems. This proposal, if approved by the regulator, would nearly double annual investment in water infrastructure, making it one of the largest investments in Europe. The plan includes ambitious goals including that water companies will reduce water leaks by 28% over the next decade and facilitate the construction of ten new reservoirs. The investment will also fund the installation of advanced technology at sewage works to remove more pollutants before they reach waterways, such as preventing 800,000 tonnes of phosphorus from entering rivers and causing harmful algae blooms.

Thames Tideway Tunnel

More significantly, the plan includes more than £10 billion specifically earmarked for storm overflow improvements, triple the current level of investment. If approved by Ofwat, the plan would implement the most extensive storm overflow programme globally, ensuring all 14,187 overflows in England meet or exceed government targets.

This initiative aims to eliminate more than 150,000 spills annually by 2030, with the number exceeding 325,000 by 2050. Throughout the plan’s duration, over 4 million spills into rivers and seas would be prevented.

Despite being less environmentally harmful than other pollution sources, storm overflows have substantial impacts on river and coastal ecosystems

The plan targets a nearly two-thirds reduction in spills near bathing areas by 2030 and an approximate 80% reduction by 2050. In certain regions, the

Addressing the causes and impacts of storm overflow use is a complex task involving various government bodies in the United Kingdom

decrease would be even more substantial: for instance, Barnstaple Bay is projected to achieve over a 90 per cent reduction in spills by 2030, while North Cornwall is expected to see an 83 per cent reduction.

Projects that are revolutionizing storm overflow spills

While the National Storm Overflow Plan is under revision by Ofwat, English and Welsh water companies continue to propose new infrastructure and ways to tackle storm overflows, with three groundbreaking projects that highlight the innovative approaches being taken to manage storm overflows, from dis-

ruptive infrastructure, digitalization and nature-based solutions.

- Thames Water’s Thames Tideway Tunnel

The Thames Tideway Tunnel, known as the London “super sewer,” is among Europe’s largest infrastructure projects, set to complete in 2024 and start operations in 2025.

Thames Tideway Tunnel

Thames Tideway Tunnel

Alongside the £700 million Lee Tunnel, it will capture 95% of untreated sewage entering the tidal Thames. This £4.5 billion project, delivered by Tideway, features a 25 km tunnel running from west to east London, largely beneath the River Thames.

Measuring 7.2 m in width and up to 67 m in depth, the tunnel can accom-

modate three London buses side-by-side, providing significant capacity to manage the growing population and environmental needs. Part of a three-part London Tideway scheme to improve river health, the tunnel aims to reduce sewage pollution in central London’s River Thames drastically.

Despite the problematic aspects of CSOs, Water UK argues that the complete removal of storm overflows would require up to £600 billion

By the end of March 2024, Tideway announced the completion of the tunnel and its shafts, marking a major milestone with the placement of a 1,200-tonne concrete lid in Stratford. The project includes a 25 km main tunnel, a 4.5 km connection tunnel in south-east London, and a 1.1 km tunnel in south-west London. Once operational, this infrastructure will nearly eliminate tens of millions of tonnes of storm sewage spills into the Thames annually, significantly improving river health.

-Northumbrian’s groundbreaking £20 million project

In June 2024, Northumbrian Water announced it had launched an innovative £20 million project aimed at significantly reducing storm overflow spills across Tyneside. This pioneering initiative, the first of its kind in the UK, integrates new technology, sensors, and AI analytics to minimize overflow risks. Inspired by successful methods used in South Bend, Indiana, the project aims to replicate the

80% reduction in spills achieved over a decade there.

The “smart sewer” project by Northumbrian Water will revolutionize wastewater management by altering the flow and direction of wastewater. This includes a mix of sewage, rainwater, road runoff, and domestic water, thereby reducing the likelihood of spills.

Employing AI technology and numerous smart sensors along sewer pipes, the system will predict and manage potential

Thames Tideway Tunnel

The investment will fund the installation of advanced technology at sewage works to remove more pollutants before they reach waterways

overflows by anticipating rainfall and network capacity, ensuring a more efficient and responsive sewer system.

- Southern Water’s use of wetlands Southern Water has announced a £35 million investment to reduce storm overflows by March 2025. This initiative focuses on at least 30 storm overflows, aiming to cut annual discharges by at least 420 within the next two years.

The utility is utilizing wetlands at its treatment works to provide additional storage and slow the flow of water into the network. Southern Water plans to construct four wetlands before spring 2025, with one already operational in Lavant.

Economic considerations and public impact

Funding these critical investments will result in incremental increases to wa-

ter bills over a five-year period, states Water UK. By 2025, the average bill in England is expected to rise by £7 per month, with a further increase to £13 per month by 2030. Recognizing the economic strain on households, water companies have committed to doubling the number of households eligible for financial support, reaching 3.2 million homes.

This record investment builds on the £200 billion already spent on the water system over the past three decades, which has significantly improved drinking water quality and reduced pollution from sewage works. The new investment aims to transform storm overflow management, ensuring sustainable and safe water resources for future generations.

Water UK’s Chief Executive David Henderson said: “While increasing bills is never welcome, this investment in our country’s infrastructure is essential to ensure the security of our water supply. Water companies are seeking regulatory approval to reduce overflow spills into rivers and seas as fast as possible and to doubling the number of households receiving support to pay their bills.”

Future developments and policy needs

The success of the National Storm Overflow Plan hinges on regulatory approval and effective implementation. Ofwat, the regulator, is expected to provide its first decisions, known as a “draft determination”, by June 2024, with final decisions by December 2024. These determinations will shape the investment landscape for 2025-2030.

The plan includes more than £10 billion specifically earmarked for storm overflow improvements, triple the current level of investment

WATER

“The transition to environmentally sustainable sewage treatment is a step change in our resource recovery ability”

DR NERINA DI LORENZO - MELBOURNE WATER MANAGING DIRECTOR

Z Cristina Novo Pérez MELBOURNE

Melbourne’s population is growing and the amount of sewage that the city will need to process may almost double by 2050. Melbourne Water sees this as an opportunity to increase its contribution to the circular economy as it engages in upgrading its Western Treatment Plant, where agriculture and biodiversity meet resource recovery. INTERVIEW

The Western Treatment Plant Resource Recovery and Re-Use Complex - a joint partnership initiative between Melbourne Water and John Holland Group - will take three years to complete and will be fully operational in 2029.  Dr Nerina Di Lorenzo, Melbourne Water Managing Director, discusses the utility’s planned wastewater infrastructure

investments and specifically the planned capacity upgrade to the historic Western Treatment Plant, a world-leading facility in environmentally-friendly sewage treatment.

Please tell us briefly about your career path and your current role at the Melbourne Water

I’ve been with Melbourne Water now since July 2019 when I started as Executive General Manager of Service Delivery, before being appointed as Managing Director in December 2021. My formal studies include a Bachelor of Engineering, a Bachelor of Business and a PhD on the topic of organisational change. My roles have spanned the areas of Asset

Management, Infrastructure Operations, Project Delivery and Business Improvement. Prior to this, I worked in the oil industry on the oil rigs in Bass Strait.

I’ve spent over two decades in senior leadership roles, including almost five years as CEO of what is now known as Merri-bek Council. I am thoroughly committed to the delivery of the essential services Melburnians rely on today, while planning for the future.

Can you provide an overview of Melbourne Water’s planned investments in wastewater infrastructure in the coming years?

In 2022-23, we invested $303.7 million to safely manage the sewage generated by a growing city. Significant investments included the continued construction of a $200 million project that will duplicate the Hobsons Bay Main Sewer Yarra River crossing. This is all in addition to the commencement of the $333 million treatment capacity upgrade at the Western Treatment Plant (WTP).

What are the key objectives of the Western Treatment Plant upgrade, and what makes this facility unique?

This project will improve the treatment capacity of WTP, which currently treats over 60% of Melbourne’s sewage, or 200 billion litres of sewage a year. We will be increasing capacity by 95 billion litres per year in primary treatment capacity so the increased capacity will ensure the Western Treatment Plant can cope with Greater Melbourne’s increasing population, which is projected to double in population by 2050.

"The plant site is home to more than just sewage treatment facilities – doubling as a farm and internationallyrecognised bird habitat"

" The WTP upgrade will increase its capacity by 95 bn litres per year in primary treatment to cope with Greater Melbourne’s population growth"

Further, as well as improving delivery efficiency, the projects have aided with technical innovation, sustainably modernising the way incoming sewage is treated, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, integrating food waste and enhancing the site’s methane gas production to create renewable energy.

Established in the early 1890s, the historic WTP in Werribee is a world leader in environmentally-friendly sewage treatment, and one of Victoria’s most unlikely hidden treasures. Roughly the size of Phillip Island, the vast site is home to more than just sewage treatment facilities – doubling as a working farm and internationally-recognised bird habitat. Here, agriculture and biodiversity meet resource recovery, education and ecotourism, supporting Melbourne’s renowned liveability.

Can you tell us about resource recovery and reuse at the Western Treatment Plant?

The Resource Recovery and Re-Use Complex project is a programme of works intended to address historic and forecast growth relating to the wastewater services performed by the WTP. It transforms the WTP from a predominantly lagoon-based treatment system to a modern plant.

The project includes constructing four new key elements of the WTP, making up the Resource Recovery and Re-Use

Complex: (i) a new primary treatment plant to reduce the load on existing lagoons; (ii) a sludge thickening system to minimise the water waste and thicken the sewage sludge - helping to reduce the load on existing assets; (iii) the relocation and enhancement of the existing liquid waste receival and treatment facility to improve the processing of liquid food waste to enable bioenergy production, and (iv) a sludge digestion treatment system to treat and convert a portion of all the collected sludges to reduce the plant’s odour potential.

The Resource Recovery and Re-Use Complex is a major milestone in the transformation of the WTP and will enable the rapid evolution of the site to meet the needs of the next decade and beyond. The transition to environmentally sustainable sewage treatment will deliver reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, help us to produce more renewable energy, and is a step change in our resource recovery ability at the WTP, supporting Victoria’s Circular Economy.

What are the expected environmental benefits of the planned upgrades to Melbourne’s wastewater infrastructure?

The Resource Recovery and Re-Use Complex is making significant investments in digital resources and academic partnerships to aid Melbourne Water in monitoring its scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions and ultimately reducing emissions across the

works. Though laden with constructing a brand new state-of-the-art treatment works, the project bundle seeks to reduce Scope 3 carbon by at least 20% from a baseline, through a myriad of sustainability initiatives and innovations.

Additionally, the Liquid Food Organic Waste has the potential to generate revenue and renewable power and deliver sustainable waste solutions to the circular economy.

What measures are being taken to ensure the upgraded wastewater infrastructure is resilient to climate change and extreme weather events?

only a narrow beach buffer between the site and Port Phillip Bay. This means that the site is vulnerable to coastal hazards. Climate change impacts and sea level rise are expected to exacerbate the risk of coastal hazards to the WTP’s biodiversity and sewage treatment values if no action is taken.

How will Melbourne Water fund these significant infrastructure projects, and what role, if any, will government grants or public-private partnerships play?

across water, sewerage, waterways and drainage. It outlines the cost of delivering these services and the prices we intend to charge customers.

Our Price Submission is subject to approval by the Essential Services Commission, Victoria’s independent regulator, which regularly reviews prices for water and other essential services to protect the interests of consumers.

The WTP is low-lying, has a flat topography and its coastal embankments are partially built on reclaimed land with "The multi-million-dollar project is estimated to cost $711 million and is funded via Melbourne Water’s Price Submission, subject to approval"

The multi-million dollar project is estimated to cost $711 million and is funded via Melbourne Water’s Price Submission, which is developed every five years and outlines our four proposed services

L-R Member for Tarneit Dylan Wight, Water Minister Harriet Shing, Melbourne Water Managing Director Dr Nerina Di Lorenzo, John Holland Group Executive General Manager - Infrastructure Rob Evans.

THE U.S. WIFIA LOAN PROGRAM: TRANSFORMING WATER INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCING

The U.S. Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program provides long-term, low-cost supplemental loans for significant water infrastructure projects. It aims to accelerate investment in critical water systems to help communities tackle their infrastructure needs.

Z Cristina Novo Pérez

As water infrastructure in the United States faces increasing challenges from ageing systems, population growth, and climate change, innovative financing solutions have become essential. One of the most significant initiatives addressing this need is the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program, administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). We delve into the WIFIA program’s significance, the types of projects it finances, and its impact on water infrastructure across the nation.

The WIFIA program, established in 2014, is a federal credit program designed to accelerate investment in the nation’s water infrastructure by providing long-term, low-cost supplemental loans for regionally and nationally significant projects. The program aims to support a wide array of water infrastructure projects, including those related to drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and water reuse.

Borrowers can benefit from customized terms, such as tailored repayment schedules to meet the specific requirements of a project

The program provides loans with flexible terms and low interest rates to help communities tackle water and wastewater infrastructure challenges at a reduced cost. It accelerates investment in infrastructure of national and regional significance by offering loans to creditworthy borrowers for up to 49 per cent of eligible project costs (or 80 per cent for small communities of 25,000 people or less). In addition, it stipulates that total federal assistance for any project may not exceed 80 per cent of total project costs.

By offering financial support that complements other funding sources, WIFIA helps to bridge the funding gap for large-scale and complex water projects that might otherwise struggle to secure sufficient financing.

Significance of the WIFIA Program

The significance of the WIFIA program lies in its ability to provide substantial financial assistance for critical water infrastructure projects, thereby ensuring the sustainability and resilience of water systems across the United States. Since its inception and up to December 2023, the WIFIA program had closed loans totalling over $19 billion, supporting nearly $43 billion in water infrastructure investments

Jorianne Jernberg, Director of the WIFIA program, highlights the program’s achievements in the 2023 annual report:

“2023 was another successful year for the WIFIA program, with almost $3 billion in closed loans to support approximately $7 billion in drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure projects.”

EPA attended Silicon Valley Clean Water’s ribbon cutting for their wastewater system upgrade, called the RESCU Program, in California.

These figures underscore the program’s critical role in facilitating large-scale investments that improve water quality, increase system resilience, and protect public health.

The EPA acknowledges the key role of capital markets in the development of water and wastewater infrastructure across the U.S.; the objective of the program is to supplement existing funding resources, not replace them. Every project receiving WIFIA funds must be cofinanced with other funding sources, including tax-exempt or taxable bonds, loans, grants, and equity.

Worth noting is that the WIFIA loans offer unique advantages not typically found in capital markets. The WIFIA program can provide credit assistance

with extended maturities due to the federal government’s long-term investment perspective. Within the WIFIA Base Program, borrowers can benefit from customized terms, such as tailored repayment schedules to meet the specific requirements of a project. Additionally, the WIFIA program offers loans at a low, fixed interest rate equivalent to the Treasury rate for a comparable maturity.

Smart Water Magazine asked Jorianne Jernberg about her take on the program’s impact: “Since issuing our first loan in 2018, the WIFIA program has made a massive impact on communities across the country through over 125 loans, helping finance nearly $44 billion in projects.” Beyond helping communities address water infrastructure challenges,

she also stresses that the program “helps communities save money through its long-term loans and flexible repayment features. To date, the WIFIA program has helped communities save $7 billion and create over 140,000 jobs.”

Types of projects financed by WIFIA Loans are offered through two distinct streams: the WIFIA Base Program, designed to finance water infrastructure projects for a wide range of borrowers, and the State Infrastructure Financing Authority WIFIA (SWIFIA) Program, which is exclusively for state infrastructure financing authority borrowers.

The WIFIA program finances a broad spectrum of water infrastructure projects, addressing diverse needs from drinking water and wastewater treatment to stormwater management and water reuse. The program’s flexibility allows it to support projects at various stages of development, from planning and design to construction and implementation.

In 2023, the WIFIA program introduced planning and design-only loans to support the preliminary phases of large, complex infrastructure projects. These loans help communities conduct necessary analyses and evaluate alternatives before proceeding to construction.

According to Bluefield Research , looking at closed loans, treatment projects constitute the most frequent type (29%) and are the second largest category (32%), following supply projects (35%), for pending loans. These initiatives encompass the construction and enhancement of water and wastewater treatment facilities, as well as recycling/

The WIFIA program has made a massive impact on communities through over 125 loans, helping finance nearly $44 billion in projects

reuse, desalination, and PFAS projects. Other areas like specialty treatment approaches (reuse, desalination, and PFAS) have been a less common type of project under the WIFIA program, but are expected to become more common given the increasing need to address water supply and quality issues across the U.S.

Economic impact of WIFIA investments

The economic impact of WIFIA investments is substantial, providing communities with cost savings, job creation, and enhanced economic resilience. The program’s financial benefits are particularly significant given the higher interest rate environment and the potential costs associated with federal requirements.

WIFIA loans offer flexible terms and low interest rates, resulting in significant cost savings for borrowers. For loans closed in 2023, WIFIA borrowers will save approximately $1 billion over the life of their loans. These savings are achieved through various mechanisms, including the ability to request reimbursements only once costs are incurred, flexible repayment schedules, and no-penalty prepayment options.

For example, the WIFIA program’s cost-reimbursement structure ensures that interest does not accrue until funds are drawn, allowing borrowers to manage their cash flow more effectively. Additionally, the option for a one-time interest rate reset provides further financial flexibility, enabling borrowers to benefit from lower rates if market conditions improve Furthermore, investments in water infrastructure through the WIFIA program also generate significant employment opportunities. As of December 2023, WIFIA projects have created approximately 143,000 jobs across the country. These jobs span various sectors, including construction, engineering, and environmental services, contributing to local economies and supporting community development.

System resilience and environmental benefits

WIFIA investments can contribute to the resilience of water systems to climate-related events, such as droughts and storms. The program has directed $11.5 billion towards increasing system resilience, helping communities better withstand and recover from extreme weather conditions. Additionally, WIFIA-funded projects contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting

enhance dam safety, expand water storage capacity, and support groundwater recharge, demonstrating the multifaceted benefits of WIFIA financing

Chicago Department of Water Management. The Chicago Department of Water Management will use WIFIA funding to assist with replacing up to 30,000 lead service lines when there has been a leak or break, as it advances in the process of replacing the largest number of lead service lines in the country.

The WIFIA program provides long-term, low-cost supplemental loans for regionally and nationally significant water infrastructure

projects

land from stormwater impacts, and addressing contaminants like PFAS and lead in drinking water.

Case studies highlighting WIFIA’s impact Gun Lake Tribal Utility Authority. In 2023, the Gun Lake Tribal Utility Authority became the first Tribal borrower to receive WIFIA financing, securing a $56 million loan to expand drinking water and wastewater systems. This project will improve access to safe drinking water and build system resilience, benefiting the community both now and in the future

United Water Conservation District. The United Water Conservation District in California received a $13 million WIFIA loan for the planning and design of safety improvements at the Santa Felicia Dam. This project aims to

Jorianne Jernberg and officials. Willamette Water Supply System, Tualatin Valley Water District, Oregon.

Looking ahead: priorities for the future

The WIFIA program has played a key role in addressing the nation’s pressing water infrastructure challenges, in large part because EPA has embraced the WIFIA program’s mandate to be a supplemental lender that pairs well with other forms of funding and financing, Jernberg told Smart Water Magazine. “Looking forward, states report that over $1.2 trillion is needed for water infrastructure over the next 20 years. We will strive to

help each community that works with the WIFIA program address their individual needs by providing customized lending solutions and leveraging the

government’s long investment horizon to accelerate additional infrastructure investment.”

In the future we expect to see the WIFIA

program emphasize sustainability and resilience, supporting innovative projects such as water reuse, desalination, and PFAS treatment, reflecting the rising demand for advanced water treatment solutions. Additionally, recognising the need to ensure equitable access to water infrastructure improvements, the program will reach more communities, particularly underserved and disadvantaged areas. By fostering public-private partnerships and leveraging additional funding sources, WIFIA seeks to maximize its impact, promoting long-term investments that safeguard public health and environmental quality.

In 2023, the WIFIA program introduced planning and design-only loans to support the first phases of complex infrastructure projects

Jorianne Jernberg, WIFIA Program Director.

CHRIS WAND - GREEN RECOVERY PROGRAMME DIRECTOR AT SEVERN TRENT

“Investment

in the water system

is essential to ensure the security of water

supply in the future”

One of the UK’s leading water companies, Severn Trent, is a pioneer in green initiatives, exemplified by its ambitious Green Recovery Programme, designed to accelerate environmental improvements while providing high-quality water services and fostering community well-being.

Severn Trent is committed to delivering sustainable services to millions of customers. The firm is investing in cutting-edge solutions and infrastructure to enhance water resilience, reduce carbon emissions, and improve service quality. This includes deploying advanced water treatment technologies, improving river water quality, and enhancing flood resilience through sustainable urban drainage systems. Chris Wand leads the Green Recovery Programme at Severn Trent, focusing on innovative projects that support environmental sustainability and operational efficiency. We had the opportunity to ask him about the stateof-the-art Witches Oak water treatment facility, ongoing initiatives under Severn

Z Cristina Novo Pérez

Trent’s Green Recovery Programme, and the company’s planned investments.

Please tell us briefly about your career path and your current role at Severn Trent.

I started at Severn Trent on the graduate programme. I then moved into a project management role delivering a number of change and IT project implementations. After that I had several managerial roles centred on fleet and maintenance, before progressing to Transport manager.

I then moved into a brand new role as Head of Supply Chain, managing a number of large operational and support teams. This was very much a transformation role and I set up a range of new teams from scratch such as a new hire team and an internal supply chain organisation. This included insourcing key elements of our materials supply chain, establishing three new Regional Distribution Centres and delivering significant financial savings and service improvements.

I then moved into the role of Programme Director for Green Recovery with the exciting job of mobilising and delivering on our ambitious projects within this. I have just taken on a new role as Head of Strategic Capital Programmes that includes Green Recovery and a number of other key strategic programmes.

Could you give us an update on the Witches Oak Water Treatment Works project, and explain its significance?

We want to make sure we all have plenty of our wonderful water - today, tomorrow and in the years to come. With a growing population and climate change, it has never been more important to provide a secure and resilient water supply for the future. This would normally mean using more energy, but we want to do this in a more sustainable and carbon friendly way.

This is why we’re investing millions across the East Midlands to produce up to an extra 89 million litres of water every day to our network - enough to

"Severn Trent is investing across the East Midlands to produce up to an extra 89 million litres of water every day to our network"

supply a city the size of Derby and that’s where we’re getting a helping hand from nature, as it turns out that cleaning water is something that it does really well.

As well as building a brand-new water treatment works, we’ve created new floating wetlands that will act as natural filters to clean the water before it reaches the new works. This means we will need to use less energy, with lower carbon emissions and fewer chemicals to treat and clean the water.

Our work in creating the new treatment works has been going really well and we’re on track to deliver the programme in an amazing half of the time it would normally take to deliver a project of this size.

What innovations would you highlight from this project, both in terms of technologies and in terms of nature-based solutions?

The new water treatment works will use innovative approaches to the key water treatment process. One example would be the UV disinfection system - this will be the first we’ve used a UV system of this scale on a surface water treatment works. To make the most of this opportunity, our engineers worked together with suppliers to write a new design standard on UV, which is now shared across our internal knowledge base for the benefit of future projects.

In what is believed to be one of the first in the UK, this project will use the floating wetlands as a nature-based pre-treatment solution to work in harmony with the new treatment works, providing a more sustainable carbon friendly treat-

ment, while improving biodiversity. We believe this could help change how the industry looks to be carbon friendly when it comes to water treatment.

Our floating wetlands are anchored in a series of three gravel beds connected to the River Trent, rising and falling with the river level. These are low carbon in production and use extensive planting of reeds which further absorb carbon and increase biodiversity by providing additional habitat for wildlife.

We have now installed all 33 floating wetlands on site. We hold regular meetings to discuss the biodiversity improvements being made to the site. Our consultant, ARUP, has developed a biodiversity plan for the site and we are engaging with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust directly for the construction of any biodiversity improvements – to maximise the benefit of the site to wildlife.

We are also trialling ceramic membranes as a key part of the treatment process, which is a first for us. This further reduces the use of chemicals as part of the end-to-end treatment process.

What does Severn Trent’s Green Recovery Programme involve?

Green Recovery encompasses a range of exciting programmes that are centred on

"In what is believed to be one of the first in the UK, the Witches Oak project will use floating wetlands as a naturebased pre-treatment"

"We are trialling ceramic membranes as a key part of the treatment process, which is a first for us, to further reduce the use of chemicals"

accelerating environmental improvements, solving some key strategic challenges and delivering some fantastic improvements for our customers. It was launched after the pandemic with the aim of supporting the UK to bounce back greener. A key element is trialling innovative new solutions in order to gain a depth of learning that we can use to inform our future plans and the broader industry.

We have six innovative programmes within this including:

J Building a brand new water treatment works, trialling new environmentally friendly technologies.

J Changing thousands of our customers’ old lead supply pipes free of charge.

J Moving two stretches of river towards bathing quality, including real-time reporting of river water quality including the trial of new ozone technology at three sites.

J Trialling the scale deployment of sustainable urban drainage systems in Mansfield in order to improve flooding resilience.

"A key element of Green Recovery is trialling new solutions to gain a depth of learning that we can use to inform our future plans"

J Pulling forward a series of environmental improvements as part of our WINEP programme, helping to clean up rivers faster and trial innovative new solutions such as reactive media reedbeds.

J Installing thousands of new smart water meters to help our customers understand their consumption and ways they can save water.

Can you tell us about the Green Recovery Programme’s progress?

We have made some truly fantastic progress so far. The entire programme was set up from a standing start so we have recruited a brand new team of brilliant people to help deliver our plans and got off to a flying start.

We have already changed over 6,000 lead customer supply pipes, establishing three different delivery models including a grant scheme. We have installed over 100k water meters and launched a fantastic new customer portal so they can see their usage and get tips on reducing this and therefore save some money. Using the new data we now have, we have also been able to identify and fix a large number of leaks. Over 80 sustainable urban drainage systems have been built and trialled in Mansfield, with five different types of interventions, from permeable paving to large detention basins. We have conducted over 1,500 audits with our non-household customers to help them identify potential leaks and water savings.

We have already built and deployed our 33 floating wetlands that will be used to pre-treat water that will go through our new treatment works. On Bathing Rivers we’ve done a broad range of engagement with river users and deployed a range of river quality monitors. Our Ozone treatment design is progressing well and will shortly begin to build. On our environmental programme, we have already started work at six sites and have identified two sites for trial of innovative new reactive media reedbeds.

We gained a huge depth of learning already and are actively sharing the results of this with our wider industry and regulators. It’s also been hugely helpful in informing our next 5-year plan.

What are Severn Trent’s investment priorities for the coming years? How do you envision these investments will shape the company’s operations and services in the next few years?

Our three major capital programmes are progressing at lightning speed and in some cases are ahead of our original ambitious timescales. We have finalised and are in the process of building many of the innovative green solutions that we wanted to trial with some very promising initial results on their performance.

Back in October, we announced a £12.9 billion investment in our water and sewage network, as part of ambitious plans submitted to water regulator Ofwat. The multibillion-pound programme is set to create 7,000 new jobs between 2025 and 2030, which will have a positive lasting impact for de-

cades to come. It also means that for every household, we will invest £2,400 back into the region, transforming the way more than four million customers are served across the Midlands.

The major announcement came after 68,000 customers helped to shape the plan so that it delivers the outcomes our customers care about most - it will guarantee a secure water supply for generations to come; storm overflows will cause no harm to rivers and customers will receive sector leading service, with a promise that customers will not pay for anything twice.

Investment in the water system is essential to ensure the security of water supply in the future and the plan will deliver significant improvements in our region’s water and sewerage system. The plan is underpinned by a £550 million financial support package, which means financial support for around 700,000 people to help pay their bills - more customers than ever.

Some of the highlights of the 2,000-page plan include a focus on climate change and population growth – which is set to grow by 12% to nine million in the Midlands by 2050. We will lay new water mains almost the length of Lands’ End to John O’Groats twice over and provide an extra 100 million litres a day from new water sources. In addition, we plan an almost £7 billion investment in our wastewater treatment, including plans to go faster to improve storm overflows – three a week, every week, meaning spills will be stopped five years ahead of Government targets.

"We have installed over 100k water meters and identified and fixed a large number of leaks using the new data we now have"

SPAIN SMART WATER SUMMIT 2024

September 17 -19 - Meliá Avenida América

Digital utilities, from intelligence to efficiency

Once again, Spain Smart Water Summit emerges as the epicentre of innovation for the water sector. This time it will be held from September 17 to 19 at the Meliá Avenida América, with a focus on water utilities.

In an era where sustainability and efficiency become the fundamental pillars to face the challenges of climate change, Spain Smart Water Summit emerges as the epicentre of innovation for the water sector.

After the spectacular success of the previous edition, the 2024 event will place a special emphasis on water utilities, which are at the forefront of digital transformation, facilitating the transition towards smarter, more efficient, and resilient water management.

In this regard, Spain Smart Water Summit 2024 presents itself as an essential forum for water management companies, as the event will not only address current challenges but also explore emerging opportunities in an increasingly digital world.

Artificial intelligence, a key technology

The integration of advanced technologies, especially artificial intelligence (AI), along with solutions like IoT, remote reading, and digital twins, is marking the beginning of a new era in water management. This year, the Spain Smart Water Summit will put artificial intelligence in the spotlight, making it the edition’s key topic. AI is becoming a transformative tool in the sector, capable of analysing large volumes of data in real-time, predicting water demands, and optimising water distribution and treatment in previously unimaginable ways.

This technology not only improves operational efficiency and reduces resource consumption but also plays a crucial role in mitigating the impact of climate change. Thanks to AI’s predictive capabilities, utilities can anticipate extreme events, manage water resources more effectively, and ensure equitable water distribution. Additionally, AI significantly contributes to the detection and prevention of leaks, resulting in a substantial reduction in water losses and promoting a more sustainable use of the resource.

Spain Smart Water Summit 2024 puts artificial intelligence in the spotlight, highlighting it as the top topic of the edition

PERTE: a long-term vision for the water sector

With two calls for projects already underway and an anticipated investment of over 3 billion euros, the Strategic Project for Economic Recovery and Transformation (PERTE) for the digitalisation of water cycle

management in Spain is a key driver for the advancement of the water sector in Spain.

In this edition of the Spain Smart Water Summit, we aim to look beyond the immediate horizon and assess

how these projects are laying the groundwork for a profound and lasting change in water management.

Water utilities, at the core of this transformation, will share their experiences and perspectives on the implementation of these initiatives, opening a dialogue about the future of water in Spain.

A global horizon

The inclusion of speakers and delegates from Asia and Latin America marked a milestone in the last edition of the Spain Smart Water Summit.

SSWS2024 invites water management companies, technology firms, and all sector stakeholders to be part of this essential event

September

17 -19 - Meliá Avenida América

In 2024, the event aims to expand beyond those boundaries, opening its doors to new geographies.

To capture a broader range of innovations and water management strategies, we seek to integrate the distinctive visions of utilities and tech-

nology providers who are redefining global water management.

This ambitious event will be supported by international trade and cooperation agencies, as well as multilateral financial institutions, all of which are at the forefront of water transformation.

A collaborative and knowledge-sharing event

For three days at the Meliá Avenida América in Madrid, the event will offer a space for exchanging knowledge and experiences, with a diverse programme that covers everything from technology

and management to sector financing. One-to-one meetings between industry leaders and government representatives will underscore the importance of collaboration and joint innovation.

Why sponsor the Smart Water Summit?

Spain Smart Water Summit 2024 invites water management companies, technology firms, and all sector stakeholders to be part of this essential forum. Together, we will explore the challenges and opportunities presented by digitalisation, to build a future where water management meets intelligence and sustainability.

The event will be held at the Meliá Avenida América in Madrid and will maintain its in-person format for three days, featuring a diverse programme focused on technology, management, and financing. One-

to-one meetings between industry leaders and government representatives will be key to fostering dialogue and collaboration.

Sponsor the benchmark event on the digitalisation of the water industry and guarantee your entity is present in a forum that ensures the visibility of your brand among the world leaders in the sector.

Join us at this transformative gathering, where utilities will be the true stars, leading the way towards more efficient water management adapted to new global challenges.

Tickets now on sale: discounts for iAgua and SWM Club Members

Tickets for the Spain Smart Water Summit 2024 are now available. If you are a member of the iAgua Club or the SWM Club, you will re -

ceive a 20% discount. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of the most innovative gathering in the water sector!

TOPIC AREAS IN SPAIN SMART WATER SUMMIT 2024

Spain Smart Water Summit 2024 will be the epicentre of discussions on the digital revolution in water management. Professionals, experts, and utility leaders will have the opportunity to explore critical topics such as:

MANAGEMENT PLATFORMS AND DATA ANALYSIS: how utilities can leverage these systems to improve efficiency and decision-making.

DIGITAL TWINS AND IOT: their impact on water resource management and process optimisation for utilities.

REMOTE READING AND CONNECTIVITY: innovations that are revolutionising the way water utilities collect and manage information.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND MACHINE LEARNING: their application to enhance prediction, planning, and management by water utilities.

NETWORK MONITORING AND EFFICIENCY: technological advances to improve the sustainability and efficiency of water supply networks.

METAVERSE AND CYBERSECURITY: new challenges and opportunities for utilities in the digital world.

PROFESSOR GERTJAN MEDEMA

LEE KUAN YEW WATER PRIZE 2024 LAUREATE

Professor Gertjan Medema, a renowned Dutch microbiologist, has been awarded the prestigious Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize 2024 for his contributions to the field of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE). His groundbreaking research has significantly advanced the application of WBE, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

An expert in water quality and health, Prof. Medema is Principal Microbiologist at the KWR Water Research Institute in the Netherlands. In early 2020 his team focused on detecting the SARS-CoV-2 virus in wastewater, providing critical data on the spread of the virus and enabling public health responses. Wastewater has been tested for SARS-CoV-2 in at least 72 countries, with Prof. Medema directly involved in approximately 30% of these programmes.

Environmental surveillance by testing wastewater had been used for years before the pandemic hit, but it was during this period that the approach was widely adopted around the world as a cost-effective and non-invasive strategy for disease tracking, with applications extending beyond COVID-19 to monitor other diseases.

Professor Medema’s influence extends globally, advising the World Health Organization and the European Commission on water quality and reuse guidelines. Through his active participation in international collaborations and his efforts in sharing expertise and findings with the global scientific community, Prof. Medema has significantly contributed to advancing wastewater surveillance, ensuring a legacy of preparedness for future health challenges.

“Collaboration is everything in this industry; building strong foundations will go a long way to future-proofing smart meter systems”

IAIN FRY - INDUSTRY ADVISER AT CAPGEMINI

In England and Wales’ water industry, AMP8 is set to replace AMP7, starting April 1, 2025. This new Asset Management Plan sets new goals for efficiency, customer engagement, and innovation. Currently, water companies are preparing for the upcoming challenges and adjustments it will bring, including the installation of over 10 million smart water meters.

Continuous improvement and innovation are essential because the average life expectancy of an S&P 500 company is 15 years, and technology is constantly changing and evolving. Ensure you choose partners with a proven track record in innovation.

Navigating the complexities of smart meter deployment in the UK’s water sector demands a strategic shift in consumer engagement and IT infrastructure, beyond technical implementation. Capgemini offers profound expertise — from crafting smart meter strategies to optimizing data utilization — to drive innovation and efficiency. In this interview, Smart Water Magazine speaks with Iain Fry, Industry Adviser at Capgemini, with nearly four decades of experience in the gas and water sectors, about the current landscape of smart meter integration in the UK water industry and the future opportunities and trends.

Can you tell me briefly about your current career path and your current role at Capgemini?

I’ve spent the last 35 years in the utilities industry, working predominantly within the gas and water sectors. My career has focused on enabling change through technology, across investment, asset management, and operations.

Most recently, prior to my role at Capgemini, I was CIO at Anglian Water from 2017 to 2023, and I now

work in an advisory role to Capgemini’s Energy Transition & Utilities business, supporting on strategic water opportunities as the industry approaches AMP8 in England & Wales. We are working on defining how Capgemini supports clients as the industry looks to redevelop strategies and operating models to meet the evolving environmental, affordability and societal demands it faces.

Can you elaborate on the key factors that companies should consider when creating an ecosystem of partners for a smart meter program?

There’s no one-stop shop for partner ecosystems across smart water metering. It takes the collaborative efforts of multiple parties working in unison to achieve the outcomes customers want, and that society needs: reduced leakage and lower usage, leading to a more environmentally focused operation and lower customer bills. Some key guidance to consider when selecting partners, creating your ecosystem, and managing it effectively includes:

Partner stability and longevity are crucial since these are not in-year purchases. Your smart metering partners need to have the stamina to go the distance.

Collaborative approaches are vital for success. Effective collaboration between partners is crucial, so make sure your partners are willing to work together, share knowledge, and align goals.

Accountability is necessary for smooth operations. Establish clear accountabilities and lines of communication across and between all partners, and jointly define and agree upon roles, responsibilities, and expectations upfront.

What are some of the most common challenges water companies face when managing the data influx from smart meters, and how can they overcome these challenges?

Water companies will be faced with an unprecedented volume of data from smart meters. This will be intimidating for those who are not prepared, with pressure to ensure the maximum insight is extracted. It’s essential to have

"Partner stability and longevity are crucial since these are not in-year purchases. Your smart metering partners need to go the distance"

Z Olivia Tempest

developed a clear strategy ahead of time for managing the information.

Alongside this, it’s important to be clear on the value that this data can bring, and the opportunities it can unlock at every level of the business. These opportunities need to be balanced against the cost implications of the new datasets, and so there needs to be effective communication about the “big picture” goal. We work with companies to help them facilitate the augmentation of datasets; both those that are known from day one, and to future-proof those insights which will emerge over time.

How can water companies effectively integrate machine learning and generative AI to enhance the value derived from smart meter data?

Water companies should strive to significantly enhance and optimise intelligence from their operations. There are significant opportunities to derive value by integrating smart meter data with machine learning and generative AI. Examples include predictive maintenance (machine learning algorithms for leak detection); supply management and control (using flow and balance analysis); performance and trend analysis to predict the failure of infrastructure components; demand forecasting of usage pattern analysis, seasonal trends and anomalies, as well as customer insights and engagement.

Unsurprisingly, data sets are likely to be far from perfect. This will include instances of missing reads, flatlines, unexplained peaks and spurious readings. This is where advanced analytical techniques can help. Generative AI can be

"Water companies will be faced with an unprecedented volume of data from smart meters. This will be intimidating for those who are not prepared"

Effective collaboration between partners is crucial, so make sure your partners are willing to work together, share knowledge, and align goals

used to help improve and smooth time series datasets, dramatically improving the quality of analysis. Employing appropriate techniques can support a culture of continuous learning and improvement for the field force to better understand the next best action to take. Other techniques can be used to determine the root cause of issues around meter performance and connectivity.

How can water companies ensure that their smart meter programs are adaptable to future technological advancements and regulatory changes?

It’s essential to choose the right partners, to establish the optimal eco-system. Collaboration is everything in this industry, and so building strong foundations will go a long way to future-proofing smart meter systems.

In addition, companies should build review check points into both the commercial frameworks and the Key Performance Indicator (KPI) mechanisms.

Innovation must play a central role across the accountabilities of the partner eco-system, and organisations need to ensure innovation is linked to commercial performance and opportunity.

How can water companies overcome the challenges of managing diverse IT systems and organizational silos

while keeping up with evolving regulatory demands?

One of the ways to do this is to establish your smart metering environment with “greenfield” thinking – approaching the projects starting from a clean slate – and creating new footprints as far as possible.

Data and operating models, along with technical repositories that reflect the core objectives of smart metering, will allow cleaner and more controlled interfaces and augmentation at an enterprise level.

Water companies should look to create product-centric operating models,

underpinned by cross-functional delivery teams with a clear focus on releasing prioritised value to the business and in turn customers.

They should establish strategic integration tooling – not just across the smart metering landscape – and leverage hyperscaler opportunities alongside native tooling, to provide platform engineering and FinOps capabilities that will maximise the business value of the cloud.

In what ways can water companies leverage digital solutions to not on -

ly meet regulatory demands but also exceed them, set new industry standards and ensure that digitalization efforts lead to short-term and longterm cost savings?

Digital disruption across the operating model of water companies is now more relevant than ever before. The sheer size and scale of investment required to meet enhanced AMP8 regulatory targets alongside environmental and customer demand place huge delivery challenges on supply chains, along with extreme affordability hurdles for the companies themselves. The industry

must come together to collaboratively innovate and implement approaches to disruptive thinking that create new supply chains with the capability and capacity to deliver outcomes via alternative solutions.

"Establish clear accountabilities and lines of communication across and between all partners, and jointly define and agree upon roles"

MOHAMMED MAHMOUD

WATER MANAGEMENT AND CLIMATE ADAPTATION EXPERT

OPINION

Reframing the role of water for a more climate-resilient Middle East

As one of the warmest and most arid places in the world, water has always played a significant role in shaping the socio-economic development of the Middle East. Water scarcity in the Middle East, as a consequence of its limited freshwater sources, has prompted countries in the region to prioritize water management efforts towards augmenting water supplies. As such, desalination is now a big part of meeting this shortfall in water supply. So much so, that nearly 50% of all of the world’s freshwater desalination occurs in the Arabian Gulf. But water management is more than finding or creating new water supplies, even for a place like the Middle East where that water management objective eclipses all others. This is especially true as the impacts of climate change have increased in terms of intensity, duration, and frequency, and made all aspects of water management more challenging.

Warming in an already hotter than (globally) average region has been a driver of severe drought conditions that have both reduced freshwater supplies and inflated water demands. In the case of the Nile River Basin, this has translated to less water generated from the Ethiopian Highlands making its way to Egypt, an extremely water-stressed country that is almost wholly reliant on the waters of the Nile. When this hydrological deficiency is coupled with the operation and filling of the newly completed Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, Africa’s largest hydropower dam, it is clear to see why tensions between these upstream and downstream Nile riparians have intensified.

A similar situation is also taking place in the Tigris-Euphrates River system, where reduced streamflow from the headwaters of the system has prompted Türkiye, the most upstream riparian, to store more water in its dams to the detriment of its downstream neighbours. The consequences of this have been (negatively) several-fold to Iraq, at the tail end of the river system. Not only does less water reach Iraq from a combination of diminished river flow (due to warming) and Türkiye’s water hoarding, but the subsequent shrinking of the river waterways exposed fine sand from the previously submerged river bed that gets picked up by regional winds, thus increasing the incidence

of dust storms. Furthermore, the reduction of river flow has led to an intrusion of seawater from the Arabian Gulf, increasing the salinity and declining the quality of water in Iraq near the terminus of the river system.

How water is transmitted and regulated when water consumption needs are high also poses difficulties. For example, there is the staggering statistics from Jordan and Lebanon where over 40% of water transmitted in urban areas is lost. This water loss is a combination of leaks in old urban water transmission networks and illegal water diversions. Such a large amount of non-revenue water can certainly be associated with economic conditions that lead to neglect in water infrastructure repair and drive up incidences of water theft. Persistent conflict and economic instability in Syria have also driven citizens to ac-

"Water scarcity in the Middle East has prompted countries to prioritize water management efforts towards augmenting water supplies"

quire and drink unsafe and unclean water, resulting in multiple outbreaks of cholera in the country.

These regional examples illustrate that water management is not simply constrained to issues of supply and demand, but rather when overlayed with the additional challenges of climate change and warming, water management becomes a proxy for addressing other connected issues in the Middle East. In this sense, water can incentivize the resolution of geopolitical impasses, the mitigation of public health crises, better socio-economic conditions, and enhanced infrastructure maintenance. Therefore the role of water and what it provides needs to take on a greater importance in the Middle East, not just for the basic service it provides but also for the implicit benefit it offers to meeting other climate-inflated challenges in the region.

ANDY BIFFEN

ASSET DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT EWEC (EMIRATES WATER AND ELECTRICITY COMPANY)

OPINION

EWEC is making emissions-free water a reality in Abu Dhabi and the UAE

Desalination of seawater is the lifeblood of water supply in a country like the UAE, where natural bodies of freshwater are limited. EWEC is ensuring this supply is not only reliable for years to come but also nearly emissions-free.

By 2031, water production in Abu Dhabi is forecasted to be nearly emissions-free, with a carbon intensity of less than one kilogram per cubic metre (kg/m3). This unprecedented infrastructure transformation signals to the world the potential of Reverse Osmosis (RO) and renewable energy technologies to both decarbonise and deliver long-term water security. We have been pioneering the utility-scale deployment of RO desalination technology, in line with our strategic initiative to decouple water and power generation. The efficiency advantages of low-carbon-intensive RO equate to more than an 85 per cent reduction in emissions when compared to traditional thermal desalination.

Today, we are well on our way to rapidly transforming the UAE’s water production system. By 2031, 92 per cent of the total projected demand, equating to more than 3.5 million cubic meters per day (m3/d), will be produced using RO. This unprecedented infrastructure transformation and decoupling of water and power production is setting a benchmark for decarbonising the water sector that will have real-world implications for companies and countries far beyond Abu Dhabi and the UAE.

This dual aim of removing emissions from water generation whilst meeting growing demand must become the industry’s north star as we target carbon-neutral economies. It is especially pertinent given the expected rise in global demand for water resources. Worldwide, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) estimates the projected gap between water supply and demand could reach 40% by 2030. Amidst this backdrop, technologies that have been proven to deliver reliable, robust water generation whilst reducing environmental stresses must be prioritised.

How, then, does EWEC intend to make an emissions-free water supply a reality in Abu Dhabi? Firstly, by accurately forecasting and modelling the Emirate's current and future water needs. In our latest Statement of Future Capacity Requirements 20242037 Summary Report (SFCR), EWEC has detailed its recommendations for the strategic projects required to meet the water

and electricity needs of Abu Dhabi and the UAE over the coming decade. Leading the charge is Taweelah RO, the world’s largest RO desalination plant. It alone supplies approximately 909,200 m3/d. This plant is already operating at full capacity, showcasing the potential and reliability of RO technology. Our pipeline of world-leading RO and renewable energy projects is paramount to both increasing our capacity and decarbonising water production.

Upcoming projects, such as Shuweihat 4 RO, Mirfa 2 RO, and Saadiyat Island RO, will further strengthen our sustainable water production capacity. Combined, these three projects are set to produce up to 1,143,000 m3/d of potable water. In addition, our latest SFCR recommends the development of a further 800,000 m3/d of low-carbon-intensity RO capacity by 2031. Whilst transitioning to RO technology plays an important role in decarbonising our water

"The efficiency advantages of low-carbon-intensive RO equate to over 85% reduction in emissions when compared to traditional thermal desalination"

supply – by removing the need to burn gas to desalinate water – the other half of the equation is EWEC’s historic deployment of renewable solar PV and clean nuclear energy, which will provide the emissions-free electricity required to operate our utility-scale RO plants.

By harnessing the efficiency of RO and the power of renewable energy, we are poised to meet the UAE’s water needs sustainably and responsibly. This transformation is not just a milestone for EWEC but a beacon of innovation and environmental stewardship for the global water industry. Our journey towards nearly emissions-free water production is a testament to what can be achieved when visionary leadership and technological innovation converge. We are proud to be shaping a future where reliable water supply and environmental sustainability go hand in hand, setting a new standard for the world to follow.

NAVIGATING CHOPPY WATERS: CHALLENGES IN SECURING WATER INFRASTRUCTURE

WHY IS WATER AN ATTRACTIVE TARGET?

There are several reasons why water systems, particularly in the United States, have evolved into such an attractive target for hackers.

A challenging governance and funding model

Water systems are often overseen by public agencies funded by local governments and ratepayers. These systems are directed by locally elected officials who are juggling the needs of citizens with the reality that cyber threats must be considered alongside other priorities, including their political survival. Municipal water systems are especially at risk as funding for priorities is further limited as the population shifts away from economically depressed communities. Ratepayers (and their political representatives) are highly resistant to rate increases, even when in pursuit of improved service delivery or water quality, and funding options often depend on raising rates or issuing debt in the form of

bonds. However, credit agencies like Moody’s are adjusting credit ratings commensurate with cybersecurity exposures, warning investors about the risks they are assuming when buying municipal bonds or other debt-based instruments. In fact, investor-owned water systems face similar budget constraints, often spurred on by the political will of shareholders.

The role of technology modernization

Water systems, especially smaller ones, routinely operate with industrial control systems (ICS) that comprise a mix of legacy and advanced operational technologies operating side-by-side. But legacy technologies do not typically lend themselves to industry-best cyber hygiene and hardening practices. These limitations impede cybersecurity improvement, make water systems harder to operate and defend, and increase the over-dependence on human

know-how and intervention — which can result in an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality that deprioritizes cybersecurity investments.

Increasing exposure to third-party risk

Large and small water systems alike share the challenges brought about by dependence on external partners and vendors, expanding their “circle of trust” and increasing risk exposure from remote access and data proliferation. Municipal and investor-owned systems may also embrace advanced technologies that require significant use of vendor-operated Internet- and cloud-based architectures –the result: an expanded threat landscape and increased exposure to malware and Internet-based attacks like ransomware. Efficiencies are gained, but more resources are needed to counterbalance increasing risk inheritance, a particularly high burden for already-constrained smaller systems.

Water scarcity and insecurity is a global problem. Many countries struggle with access to clean and safe water for drinking, growing crops, and providing basic hygiene. The problem is not just limited to countries with environmental, developmental, and geographical challenges.

Z Richard Caralli, Senior Cybersecurity Advisor at Axio

WHAT SOLUTIONS DO WE HAVE?

The velocity of attacks on critical infrastructure systems, especially water systems, is not abating. In 2021 and 2022, Axio published the results of research studies aiming to characterize the general state of organizational readiness to combat the evolving — and now pervasive — ransomware threat. Using cross-sector critical infrastructure data collected from the Ransomware Preparedness Assessment (part of the Axio360 suite of cyber risk management tools), Axio researchers established a key persistent and durable theme over three years of analysis: success in managing ransomware intrusion and organizational impact is largely affected by the degree to which organizations implement and institutionalize the most fundamental cybersecurity capa-

bilities. These foundational capabilities include managing privileged access credentials, reducing exposure to supply chain and third-party risk, improving incident response, addressing known vulnerabilities in a timely manner, and performing necessary hardening of technology assets and networks — all supported by a cybersecurity-aware culture. It’s imperative to consider that these capabilities are essential to all cybersecurity programs and provide the solid ground on which durable cybersecurity postures can evolve over time to meet current and future threats.

Water owners and operators cannot transform the sector’s cybersecurity posture on their own. Indeed, cybersecurity is a team sport, and it requires collaboration be-

tween utilities, government, advocacy organizations, and other stakeholders. Recently, in testimony to the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce regarding the cybersecurity of America’s drinking water systems, Kevin Morley, Manager – Federal Relations for the American Water Works Association (AWWA), argues that a multi-pronged approach to sector cybersecurity improvement is warranted. The testimony asserts that a collaborative approach to improving cybersecurity risk management for water systems can build on the successes of the electricity sector by creating a federally authorized but independently-operated entity to lead the development of cybersecurity requirements for the water sector.

Recent advances have been made toward this reality. Congressional representatives are working on a bill that would empower the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish cybersecurity standards and certify a non-government organization to oversee compliance, mirroring the electricity sector’s implementation of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Critical Infrastructure Protection (NERC-CIP) standards. However, such collaborations take many years to develop, implement, and operate effectively, and can be costly to organizations that are bound to comply.

For water, this governance model would be approved and overseen by the United States Environmental Protec-

© González-Cebrián/SWM

© González-Cebrián/SWM

tion Agency (EPA), encouraging a “shared responsibility that benefits from direct engagement and operational knowledge of owners/operators and the accountability that comes with federal oversight.” While shared governance models can appear regulatory in disguise, they often act as market correctors, such as the improvement in vehicle crashworthiness realized by the efforts of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Recent rulings by the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding cybersecurity disclosure will certainly force additional improvements by investor-owned and publicly traded organizations but won’t necessarily drive improvement in smaller organizations.

Additionally, the role of information sharing is front and centre. Better collaboration between the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the EPA, and water sector organizations such as the Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Water ISAC) and the Water Sector Coordinating Council (WSCC) is needed to ensure timely dissemination of clear and actionable threat and vulnerability information in a format quickly digestible by owners and operators, sufficiently in advance of known attack campaigns.

Finally, improving cybersecurity programs and the resistance of water technologies to attack is vital to advancing the cybersecurity posture of

the water sector. As Morley notes, common frameworks such as the NIST Cyber Security Framework (NIST CSF) are useful, but not necessarily scalable to the wide range of organizations operating our nation’s water infrastructure. To this end, AWWA offers a sector-specific and tailored tool for the assessment of cybersecurity controls that can be right-sized to fit the operational scope of water sector organizations, consistent with NIST CSF content but pragmatic in application. Continued investment and research into tools and technologies that address the inherent cybersecurity weaknesses in the systems and devices that operate water systems is imperative.

The rapid rise in attacks on water systems will not soon

diminish as the barriers to attack success are few and the potential rewards are great. Whatever the motive, the cybersecurity posture of water systems across the board is dependent on evolutionary change in how they are funded, operated, maintained, and architected. Incremental changes have the potential to be force multipliers in the degree to which water systems are more resilient to and able to recover from attack vectors such as ransomware. The will to improve — especially as the water sector emerges as a headline-making target — constitutes an important first step in ensuring the mission of water systems is preserved under rapidly changing operating conditions that are increasingly subject to the will of outside actors.

“Innovation

is a thread that runs throughout our work toward achieving our water positive

ELIZA ROBERTS - WATER LEAD AT MICROSOFT

goal”

In 2020, Microsoft unveiled an ambitious initiative to achieve water positivity by 2030, aiming to replenish more water than it consumes worldwide as a key part of that goal. Furthermore, their water positive commitment is also about ensuring access to water and sanitation services for people worldwide, participating in public policy, and fostering innovation.

Z Cristina Novo Pérez

Microsoft’s water positive commitment reflects a proactive stance to mitigate water stress and safeguard critical watersheds, wherever it operates. We had the pleasure to learn more about the company’s approach from interviewing Eliza Roberts, the Water Lead at Microsoft. Always passionate about sustainability, it was during a site visit in India that water became her central focus, after realizing that water is not just a sustainability issue but also a human health challenge, and the criticality of considering any unintended consequences of water projects. Eliza’s career path has been shaped by her drive to understand how various sectors can collaboratively promote access to clean water. Now, as the Director of Microsoft’s Water Positive program, Eliza oversees initiatives aimed at achieving

"Our water positive goal includes reducing water use, replenishment, increasing access to clean water, scaling solutions and effective water policy"

the company’s ambitious water positive goals. She shares the highlights of Microsoft’s journey towards becoming water positive and the company’s future plans to fund innovation and drive action on water issues.

In 2020, Microsoft announced its goal to become water positive by 2030. Can you tell us some highlights of the progress made to date?

In 2020, we set a goal to be a water positive company by 2030 and co-founded the Water Resilience Coalition (WRC), an industry-driven, CEO-led coalition of the UN Global Compact CEO Water Mandate to reduce water stress by 2050. For Microsoft, being water positive is more than reaching a positive cubic metre of water on a balance sheet. Yes, reducing water use intensity and replenishing more water than we consume is critical to reaching our water positive goal. But just as critical to our water positive vision is increasing access to clean water and sanitation services for people across the globe. We strive to get there by scaling water solutions through innovation and advocating for effective and innovative water policy. Together, these

are the five pillars of our water positive goal: to reduce our water use, replenish water, increase access to clean water, scale solutions through innovation, and advocate for effective water policy.

As of July 2023, we have invested more than $16 million in 49 replenishment projects around the world. Together these projects are expected to provide more than 61 million m3 of volumetric water benefit (equivalent to 24,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools) over the lifetime of the projects. As of the end of FY23, we have also provided more than 1.5 million people with access to clean water and sanitation solutions, exceeding our initial 2020 target.

I’m really proud of the progress that we’ve made to date. Yet we face increasing water stress across the globe — roughly a quarter of the global population is currently experiencing water scarcity and a lack of clean drinking water. An additional 1 billion people are expected to live with extremely high water stress by 2030. There is so much more work that we all have to do to address these challenges.

What value do private firms contribute to taking action on water issues, locally and globally, and why is it important for businesses to understand water-related risks?

As water stress intensifies worldwide, it’s more important than ever for businesses to understand how water-related risks affect their business, the communities in which they operate, and local ecosystems. Most companies are already evaluating their climate risk and resilience, and water is a key part of that. And it’s not just about water scarcity — we have too much (flooding and extreme events), too little (water availability), or what we do have is too dirty (water quality). Each of these factors contribute to a company’s climate risk and sustainability profile.

There is no living thing that can function without water and similarly, no business can operate without water. Microsoft

is no exception. At Microsoft, we have a responsibility to manage water impacts within our own operations — and we know we must also look beyond our four walls to help our customers and the world move toward a more sustainable future.

"It’s more important than ever for businesses to understand how waterrelated risks affect them, communities where they operate, and ecosystems"

How does Microsoft ensure responsible water management in its operations and supply chain, particularly, concerning the water needs of data centres?

Reducing our water use is a critical component of our water positive goal. We take a holistic approach to water reduction across our campuses and datacenters to drive efficiency and reuse. As our datacenter business continues to grow, and we balance the need for power and water, Microsoft remains committed to reducing the intensity with which we withdraw resources, focusing on being as efficient as possible. Our datacenter strategy puts us on track to achieve a 40% water intensity reduction target by 2030.

We continue to look for ways to increase procurement of alternative sources across our datacenters and campuses to further reduce our dependence on freshwater supply. We work to maximize the reuse of each drop of water that we withdraw, procuring reclaimed, non-potable water from utilities and from alternative sources, including rainwater, air-to-water generation, and other innovative approaches where available. In 2023 we

joined the Coalition for Water Recycling to advocate for increased water reuse across the United States.

Innovation is a thread that runs throughout our work toward achieving our water positive goal, like piloting innovative approaches to reduce our water use intensity. Our datacenter team recently announced

"There is no living thing that can function without water and similarly no business can operate without water: Microsoft is no exception"

"As our datacenter business continues to grow, we are committed to reducing the intensity with which we use resources, focusing on efficiency"

that new datacenters will be designed and optimized to support AI workloads and will consume zero water for cooling. This initiative aims to further reduce our global reliance on freshwater resources as AI computing demands increase. To learn more about our water reduction efforts, check out our most recent sustainability report.

Can you tell us about Microsoft’s water replenishment program, and to what extent does it contribute to the company’s water stewardship goals?

There is a lot of confusion around water replenishment. At a high level, water replenishment means restoring a volume of water to the local watershed and surrounding communities.

At Microsoft, our replenishment goal is to replenish more than we consume across our global operations by 2030. We focus on locations with higher water stress and where we have higher consumption. Since we are replenishing our entire global operations, we will replenish much more than we consume

"Right now, in the replenishment space we need to think creatively about ways to build supply and scale projects to other regions"

in those places. It’s an ambitious goal that should allow us to make a dramatic impact in these priority water basins. To guide our strategy and help ensure that our replenishment programme delivers maximum value, we established four guiding principles: 1) Prioritize investment in areas with high water stress and high operational water consumption. 2) Don’t just count drops: invest in locally relevant projects that offer co-benefits. 3) Keep community needs and impact at the forefront. 4) Focus on innovation with an aim to build project supply and scale.

We have been focused diligently over the past few years on building out our portfolio of replenishment projects, doubling it in just the last year. It spans a diverse array of water replenishment projects, from watershed restoration and land conservation to leak detection in public utilities and agricultural efficiency projects that help farmers use less water to grow crops. You can learn more about our replenishment approach and portfolio in our recent white paper, Water replenishment: Our learnings on the journey to water positive

We’ve made rapid progress but there is still so much work to do. The most water-stressed regions tend to have fewer established projects ready for investment and implementation. It’s a critical problem and also a great opportunity to collaborate with local communities, NGOs,

and businesses to build solutions from the ground up. For example, we partnered with technology company FIDO to apply its AI-enabled acoustic analysis technology to identify water leaks in London’s ageing water distribution network. Leakage is a worldwide problem with roughly 30% of water lost to leaks — staggering when you consider how precious this resource is. Since piloting this project in London, we have expanded it to two more of our high-waterstress target regions, Phoenix, Arizona, and Querétaro, Mexico.

One of the things I love most about the replenishment space right now is the need to think creatively about ways to build supply and scale projects to other regions. This isn’t possible without forging partnerships to implement these ideas, making the business case internally, and tracking and reporting on a project’s impact.

What are some of the challenges with monitoring and evaluating these projects?

The diversity of our replenishment projects means there is no “one size fits all” approach to evaluating impact. On-site monitoring, either using real-time or periodical sampling, is the ideal scenario but rarely feasible. Some of the leak detection projects in our portfolio use real-time data as part of their solution (FIDO, as well as some other projects we will be announcing soon), while others use on-site data to estimate water savings (Kilimo obtains irrigation data directly from farmers to calculate water use reduction), but these are exceptions. We are exploring opportunities to develop real-time water monitoring systems for projects, but more often than not, real-time measurement is cost prohibitive or, in the case of projects that involve qualitative benefits, simply not applicable. Even in cases when we are tracking volumetric benefits, we are also looking to better quantify co-benefits, such as an

increase in biodiversity, greenhouse gas reduction, or access to local communities. When direct measurement is not available, the current best practice is to have a third party quantify the benefits using long-term averages and water or climate models. We take a conservative approach and use only minimum estimated volumes to help ensure that we do not overclaim.

To understand the value and impact of replenishment work, it’s critical to monitor not only individual projects but also overall basin health. At the project level, we need to start by defining key indica-

tors to measure watershed outcomes for different types of projects. At the basin level, there is a need for public information on basin risks, basin health, and all replenishment activities underway within the basin. Only with this big picture can we understand what impact our collective efforts are having.

Looking at the coming years until 2030, how do you see Microsoft’s water stewardship efforts evolving?

First and foremost, our focus when it comes to water is to reduce our dependence on freshwater supply by building for efficiency, exploring alternative sources and building new datacenters to support AI workloads that will consume

suring the impact of our replenishment efforts, and scaling our efforts to benefit more communities.

zero water for cooling. From there, we will continue to work to replenish more than we consume across our entire global operations, including owned and leased datacenters. We already have a substantial replenishment program and yet we need to do more. What has become abundantly clear is the need to scale the market to meet demand and the need to focus corporate resources where they can generate the greatest impact — not just for us, but for the world.

Innovation will continue to play a powerful role in protecting freshwater resources and promoting access to water and sanitation services. AI in particular holds promise for accelerating progress in water-efficient design, mea-

Lastly, we need collective action — all companies, all NGOs, all investors, and sharp minds in the water space — to help design and implement creative solutions. We are seeing more momentum in the corporate water stewardship space — more goals set, more action, more investment. Working together, we have the potential to catalyse greater impact across ecosystems and water-stressed basins. We plan to build on corporate partnerships to fund innovation and drive action on water issues, and we are excited to be more engaged in water policy in the coming years. Learn more about our path to 2030 in our 2024 Microsoft Environmental Sustainability Report

"To

understand the value and impact of replenishment work, it’s critical to monitor not only individual projects but also overall basin health"

Advancing flood forecasting and management: insights from Türkiye's national initiative

According to a recent study, floods are the second most destructive disaster in terms of loss of life and property, and the leading meteorological disaster in Turkey. In response, Autodesk Water and Smart Water Magazine have collaborated to present a new online event as part of a webinar series aimed at empowering water professionals worldwide. This series

addresses crucial topics and case studies, offering innovative techniques and best practices to enhance water management strategies, from addressing floods to tackling network leakage and implementing digital twin applications.

The webinar, titled “Forecasting Floods, Protecting Lives!”, explored the escalating threat of flooding due to climate change.

Featuring Türkiye's innovative National Flood Forecasting & Early Warning System (TATUS), the session provided insights into the country’s approach to flood prediction and early warning, offering valuable strategies for enhancing resilience to flood events.

Özgüray Aydin

Water Solutions Manager at Universal Software

"All locations have total limits, which are affected by various factors. When rainfall exceeds these limits, we experience flooding. The authorities need to develop and implement structural projects to increase these total limits."

Moderated by Cristina Novo, Technical Editor at Smart Water Magazine, the seminar underscored the pivotal role of digital solutions in revolutionizing water management practices. Autodesk Water, in this respect, is leading the way in this transformation, offering its expertise in design, construction, and advanced hydrological modeling.

During the webinar, Autodesk Water’s online modeling tools were introduced: InfoWorks ICM, known for its integrated hydrology and hydrodynamic modeling capabilities, along with the InfoWorks ICM Live automatic online modeling tool.

Cristina Novo presented the three speakers, giving the stand to Özgüray Aydin, Hydrogeological Engineer and Water Solutions Manager at Universal Software, who inaugurated his presenta-

tion by explaining how climate change is having repercussions on rainfall, with extreme rain becoming more common.

Thanks to tools such as flood forecasting systems, authorities, communities and organizations have the necessary information to make decisions when flooding occurs, which can significantly reduce the loss of property and life.

“Almost everywhere around the world, and particularly in recent times, we are facing numerous disasters in which prevention seems almost impossible. This is where flood forecasting systems and early warning systems become extremely important,” he stressed. He then explained that for their flood forecasting system, a three-step calculation methodology is used. “We adapt rainfall forecasting to our model, in which we integrate current and future rainfall in the most optimal way, secondly we use hydrological models to calculate the discharge resulting from the rainfall, and thirdly, we use hydrological models to understand the impact of the calculated discharge on the region.”

For this, Autodesk Water’s online modelling tool is essential. “To prepare and

calibrate the hydrological models, InfoWorks ICM offers so many alternatives and opportunities.” He highlighted that InfoWorks ICM works continuously and automatically, without a single error.

Moreover, Özgüray Aydin stressed the significance of designing a disaster management solution in accordance with the culture, the social structure and the governmental organization of the region.

Flooding ranks among the most devastating natural disasters, causing extensive damage to property, infrastructure, ecosystems, and human lives.

Historically, floods have been triggered by a variety of factors including heavy rainfall, rapid snowmelt, storm surges, and the failure of dams or levees.

In recent years, however, the frequency and intensity of flooding events have been exacerbated by climate change.

Every country or region needs to design a solution depending on the available resources, data, and governmental organization, he said.

Before giving the floor to Salih Babagiray, Civil Engineer and Flood Forecasting Expert at Türkiye Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Aydin introduced Türkiye’s National Flood Forecast and Early Warning System (TATUS).

Salih Babagiray

Control Engineer at National Flood Forecast and Early Warning Center. Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Türkiye

"Data is the most important thing for flood forecasting. We need a lot of it, including meteorological data and flood maps before we can begin to analyze and prepare a model"

Türkiye is establishing the National Flood Forecasting and Early Warning System (TATUS), prioritizing proactive risk management

Türkiye’s National Flood Forecast and Early Warning System (TATUS) Türkiye, renowned for its diverse topography and stunning coastal landscapes, faces a pressing challenge: increasingly severe weather patterns leading to devastating floods, declared Aydin. To counteract this threat, the country has launched a pioneering initiative to predict and alert authorities before disaster strikes.

In response, the General Directorate of Water Management, under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, has embarked on establishing the National Flood Forecasting and Early Warning System (TATUS), prioritizing proactive risk management over reactive crisis response.

The TATUS initiative, spearheaded by Universal Software, focuses on 15 pilot sub-basins across regions such as the Eastern and Western Black Sea, Antalya, and the Eastern Mediterranean. Through

a comprehensive approach combining hydraulic and hydrological engineering analyses with dynamic meteorological predictions, the system aims to forecast rainfall and runoff up to 72 hours in advance, facilitating timely warnings and preparedness measures.

Salih Babagiray began his presentation by revealing that Turkey suffers from approximately 125 floods each year. In one specific flooding event which pounded the provinces of Bartin and Kastamonu, 72 people lost their lives.

Flood forecasting is a crucial strategy to minimize the damage of flooding and the communities’ vulnerabilities, but for an accurate forecasting system, data is the most important factor. Babagiray explained that all types of data are needed, including meteorological data, hydrological data, and also flood maps. This data is then collected and analysed, allowing for decision-making.

“More than one hundred hydrological models have been prepared and calibrated using InfoWorks ICM for hydrology modelling and hydrodynamic modelling,” said Salih Babagiray.

Central to the success of TATUS is its multidisciplinary approach, drawing upon expertise from hydrology, meteorology, and engineering realms. The

Cihat Asiz

Control Engineer at National Flood Forecast and Early Warning Center. Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Türkiye

"One of the most useful aspects of the system is that you can manage data very easily, and you can download it as an excel file and manipulate your data in various software formats."

integration of GIS and telemetry systems alongside advanced computational capabilities enhances prediction accuracy, fostering collaboration and data visualization. During his presentation, Babagiray also highlighted the various warning options that these tools provide and also emphasized the importance of reporting, which is sent to AFAD, Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority. Finally, he said that their main target now is to expand the system throughout the country.

Next, Cihat Adsiz, Civil Engineer at Türkiye Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, elaborated on the user interface of TATUS, highlighting its functionality and flexibility in managing data and issuing alerts. Adsiz emphasized the utility of ICM Live's 3D viewer in visualizing critical points and enhancing situational awareness.

The event concluded with a dynamic Q&A session, wherein attendees engaged with the speakers on various aspects of TATUS and Autodesk Water’s online modelling tools. Discussions ranged from data integration and calibration processes to the potential integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for meteorological forecasts in the future.

Overall, the webinar provided a comprehensive overview of Türkiye's innovative approach to flood forecasting and management, showcasing the transformative potential of digital solutions in enhancing water resilience worldwide.

PROFESSOR CRAIG SHERIDAN

DIRECTOR AND FOUNDER OF THE CENTRE IN WATER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (CIWARD), BASED AT WITS UNIVERSITY

OPINION

Water (in)security in Johannesburg

Water scarcity is defined as an excess of demand over available supply, signalled by unsatisfied demand or tensions between users. The definition for water security according to UN Water is: “the capacity of a population to safeguard sustainable access to adequate quantities of acceptable quality water for sustaining livelihoods, human well-being and socio-economic development…” In South Africa, water is allocated by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) based on the population of a region, and the availability of water in the storage systems (i.e. dams). This allocation is sold by the DWS to the bulk water utility (Rand Water for Gauteng) who treat it to potable quality. They sell this freshwater to a number of metropolitan municipalities who sell it onwards to consumers (for Johannesburg the metro entity is Joburg Water). There is however a mismatch between what the DWS sells and what is neededthe DWS is responsible for supplying not only current but also future needs. South Africa (particularly Johannesburg) is not currently water scarce but is currently water insecure.

Johannesburg, located at a high altitude has no large rivers or natural water sources. The government has created a system of large dams and inter-basin transfer schemes to supply water to the province, the centre of industrial activity and population mass. Additional dams are currently being built in Lesotho as part of the Lesotho Highlands Transfer Scheme, however these are delayed by 8 years. This delay coincides exactly with a period where Gauteng grew from 12 to 15 million people. This means that in 2023 we had the same water allocation for a population which had grown by 25%. Johannesburg is also poorly run. Finances, in particular, are not well managed. There is a maintenance bill in excess of R2 billion (€100 million) but only R1 billion was allocated. Maintenance needs are spiralling out of control. Loss to non-revenue water is almost 50%. The implications are simple: half the water is available compared to 10 years ago which needs to supply 25% more people. Also, consumption is too high. Average usage in Johannesburg is 279 L/pd which is the highest of any province, 27% more than the country average, and 60% greater than the global average.

What are the long-term prospects? Unfortunately, there is no more space in South Africa to construct new large dams. Thus after 2028, we have water storage limitations. Water security will decline. The FAO reports that South Africa’s water stress increased from 61% in 2016 to 65% in 2020. To improve water security, changes need to be made, especially in the economics and pricing of water. The value of water is R25/5L per bottle purchased at a supermarket when there is no water in the taps, yet for higher usage tiers of municipal billing, we pay only R17/kL. Much steeper tariffs can be applied to users of water that exceed their fair share. City governance must also improve. Globally we need to reconsider how we value water. The future has to include direct reclamation (sewage to potable) as the global population moves towards 10 billion people. There is a

"Average water usage in Johannesburg is the highest of any province, 27% more than the country average, and 60% greater than global average"

critical need to conduct the necessary research to understand how new pathogens and emerging contaminants behave in wastewater treatment plants such that when we return treated sewage to the potable water systems, we do not harm our societies through increased exposure to pharmaceuticals, pesticides or forever chemicals (which will build up if not removed). We need to educate people to remove the yuck factor of drinking treated sewage; we already drink water sourced from our rivers which are highly contaminated by sewage/wastewater treatment plant outfall. Society, including the water sector, needs to embrace true circular thinking: if we are good engineers, we can derive significant value from our waste, and if we do this properly our new waste will be clean potable water. The question we need to ask is: Are we ready for this revolution?

TACKLING NON-REVENUE WATER:

INNOVATIONS IN REAL-TIME DATA ANALYTICS AND DMA MANAGEMENT

At the beginning of May, Smart Water Magazine, in collaboration with Xylem, presented an insightful webinar titled "Leveraging Real-Time Data Analytics and DMAs for Water-Loss Control.” This hour-long seminar delved into groundbreaking strategies for water-loss control, employing realtime data analytics and virtual District Metered Areas (DMAs). Participants gained valuable insights into how harnessing realtime data analytics can significantly enhance water-loss detection and proactive management.

The webinar, moderated by Cristina Novo, Technical Editor at Smart Water Magazine, emphasized the crucial role of prioritizing water loss reduction in ensuring sustainable water stewardship and securing clean, reliable water supplies for future generations.

Manuel Parra, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Xylem, kicked off the presentations by addressing the Data Challenge, emphasizing that the abundance of data in the water sector is not the issue; rather, it's the integration and utilization of this data across organizational silos. “Integration is key. The concept of integrating the data, sharing that solution with other parts of the organization, sharing the data from a specific solution is not currently at

the forefront of the criteria,” said Parra during his presentation. He highlighted the importance of integrating data to create actionable insights accessible to operators and managers in real time.

The discussion then shifted to the innovative collaboration between Xylem and Idrica, exemplified by the creation of Xylem Vue by GoAigua, a cutting-edge software platform designed to unify disparate data sources and streamline water management processes. Pablo Calabuig, Vice President for the Americas Region at Idrica, elaborated on how this platform integrates various databases and sensors to provide holistic, real-time insights for water utilities worldwide.

access the data when they need it and the way they need it,” said Calabuig.

Next, Pablo Calabuig discussed how the digital platform works, highlighting that they had various types of databases: GIS, SCADAs, IoT sensors, AMI, etc., and they didn’t want these to disappear. “We wanted the utilities that had them to continue using them, so we created a layer that brought all the assets together.”

Xylem Vue powered by GoAigua consolidates and standardizes data from various sources within the utility, including sensors, SCADA, assets, and business systems, into a single, unified information hub. This comprehensive integration supports modular water and wastewater applications and advanced

The abundance of data in the water sector is not the issue; rather, it's the integration and utilization of this data across organizational silos

At the beginning of 2023, Idrica and Xylem joined forces and blended their technology to create Xylem Vue by GoAigua, a water-focused software and analytics platform for the full water cycle. Its main goal is to solve the problem the two speakers addressed previously: to connect and organize the data silos into one single data model usable across the whole organization. “The operators, managers, and engineers can

analytics, offering utilities 360-degree operational intelligence to ensure optimal efficiency across the entire system.

Water revenue and DMAs

A key focus of the webinar was tackling non-revenue water (NRW), a significant challenge faced by utilities globally. The World Bank reports a significant 30% gap between water volume supplied by utilities and the amount billed, costing the global economy $14 billion annually. This disparity, known as non-revenue water (NRW), stems from real losses (such as distribution system leaks), apparent losses (water consumed but not paid for due to meter inaccuracies, billing issues, or theft), and unbilled authorized consumption (e.g., firefighting).

“If you want to reduce non-revenue water, the moment you detect a leak in your network, you have to make sure someone is out there finding and fixing the leak as soon as possible,” stressed Pablo Calabuig.

Traditional DMAs vs virtual DMAs

Next, Manuel Parra explained what traditional DMAs and virtual DMAs are. In the 1980s, European water utilities pioneered district metering areas (DMAs) to manage NRW. While effective, physical DMAs have drawbacks including cost and hydraulic challenges, Parra noted. However, forward-thinking utilities now adopt virtual DMAs (vDMAs), leveraging digital tools for network insights. With remote work increasing, vDMAs streamline water loss detection. “Virtual DMAs, in essence, are the same thing, but in this case, we’re going to use the data that exists for further network insights.”

Traditional DMAs involve dividing networks based on customer type and consumption. A vDMA, however, lacks strict boundaries and eliminates hydraulic issues, reducing operational costs and safety risks. Its continuous monitoring detects leaks, benefiting utilities by cutting NRW, minimizing service disruptions, and lowering maintenance expenses.

Manuel Parra

Vice President, Strategic Partnerships at Xylem

"Over the past years, integration efforts have started. We realized that bringing data from operations to engineering or from customer management to operations is really valuable"

The World Bank reports a 30% gap between water volume supplied by utilities and the amount billed, costing the global economy $14B annually

Implementing vDMAs entails initial investment but yields long-term savings by optimizing operations, managing assets proactively, and enhancing customer satisfaction. Understanding water balance components empowers utilities to prevent disruptions, safeguard water quality, and transform water management economics, aided by automation through online analysis of vDMA data.

As Manuel Parra pointed out, the theory looks good, but what does this translate to in real life? Pablo Calabuig explained some success stories where utilities have implemented this approach into their operations.

During his presentation, Calabuig outlined strategies for reducing NRW, includ-

ing advanced metering and the implementation of virtual DMAs (vDMAs). By leveraging digital tools for network insights, vDMAs enable utilities to detect leaks promptly, minimize service disruptions, and optimize operational efficiency.

Real-world success stories underscored the effectiveness of these innovative approaches. Case studies showcased how utilities in the U.S. and Europe have leveraged Xylem Vue by GoAigua to achieve substantial reductions in water losses and energy consumption, demonstrating the tangible benefits of integrating real-time data analytics and DMA management into water utility operations.

Pablo explained that the City of Valencia, in Spain, was the first European city with a full AMI deployment, with nearly one million smart meters. This large number of data needed integrating and that’s where Xylem Vue powered by GoAigua platform aided the utility integrating real-time information from AMI, SCADAs, GIS, field operations and the ERP. This resulted in 65% reduction of water losses and 15% energy savings.

Pablo Calabuig

Vice President of America’s Region at Idrica

"We worked with a southern US utility to help them make a lot more use of their AMI data, to find out the water consumption and water usage. The utility is now also using analytics and the use of data science to help them identify water leak events"

KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THE WEBINAR

J Evaluating digital capabilities: Water utilities have advanced in adopting new technologies over the past 10-15 years, using SCADA systems, GIS, and additional sensing assets. However, many investments were made in isolation, leading to underutilized data. Utilities should benchmark their capabilities in strategic organization, customer centricity, data governance, smart operations, and IT architecture to understand their current position and identify priorities for digital transformation.

J Aligning digital journeys with business goals: Digital transformation must align with a utility's unique challenges and goals, such as labour shortages, compliance issues, or financial pressures.

Water executives should develop digital plans both top-down and bottom-up, considering team input and specific needs that digital solutions can address.

J Prioritizing digital improvements: Utilities should follow the "3 I framework": information, integration, and innovation. First, optimize existing technologies through training and updates. Next, establish a data integration path aligned with operational priorities. Finally, identify technology gaps and invest in resources to fill them.

J Managing and reducing water loss: Digital technologies can help utilities manage water loss by integrating various real-time data sources, such as SCADA systems, sensors, GIS, and AMI. By es-

tablishing a baseline and monitoring it in real-time, utilities can detect, locate, and remediate water loss proactively. Digital integration enables utilities to reduce repair times, implement predictive pressure modulation, and prioritize actions based on relevance and ROI.

Following the presentations, the online seminar culminated in a dynamic Q&A session, where attendees engaged the speakers with insightful inquiries. Questions ranged from exploring the applicability of the model in the wastewater sector to inquiries about integrating the platform in developing countries. Attendees also delved into the diverse functionalities offered to utilities by the innovative solution.

LUCA BROCCA

DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH AT CNR-IRPI AND PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR OF THE DTE HYDROLOGY PROJECT

OPINION

High-resolution Earth observation for water security and management

Right now, humanity is at a crossroads. Climate change, environmental biodiversity loss and extreme events affect us all, but some of us are affected more than others. This is causing big problems for society. Climate change is having a significant impact on the global water cycle, making extreme water-related events more likely and more severe. Having better decision-support systems is important for accurately predicting and monitoring water-related environmental disasters and optimally managing water resources.

Let us take Italy at this moment, as an example. Will Italy continue to be thirsty in the summer of 2024? The season promises to be problematic in Sicily, where drought is showing its worst face in the last 70 years: months in advance, it is already possible to say that rationing and tankers will be an unavoidable fate. On the other hand, the situation will be less complicated in the Po basin, where a water deficit seems unlikely, although it could manifest itself towards the end of the season, between August and September, should rainfall be well below average.

This understanding has been developed as part of the Digital Twin Earth (DTE) Hydrology project, which aimed to create the most advanced virtual models of the water cycle. The project, worth over EUR 2 million lasted 2.5 years, has been developed by a European consortium of 11 partners led by the Research Institute for Geo-Hydrogeological Protection of the National Research Council in Perugia (CNR-IRPI). The project, supported by the European Space Agency (ESA), combined high-resolution satellite observations, ground data, advanced physical modelling, and artificial intelligence to create new tools to help us manage water resources better and deal with water-related natural disasters. The goal is to create a digital twin of the planet. This is a virtual model that can be tested, for instance, to destruction without causing real damage. It is constantly updated with new data, which means it can simulate best- and worst-case scenarios, assess risks, and track the development of dangerous conditions before they occur. As the climate crisis gets worse and human impact on the water cycle increases, it's more important than ever to have

advanced simulation tools. It is still tricky to predict things like floods and droughts, so we're building a system that anyone can use, including decision-makers and citizens, to run simulations with a high level of detail, so we can get answers at a local level.

Using data collected by the Sentinel satellites of the European Copernicus programme, as well as those of the EUMETSAT (European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites), NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) and NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) satellites, the researchers have developed a freely accessible cloud-based DTE Hydrology platform. This innovative platform enables the rapid processing of various future scenarios, allowing for the setting of different

"As the climate crisis gets worse and human impact on the water cycle increases, it's more important than ever to have advanced simulation tools"

parameters, including atmospheric temperature, soil moisture, precipitation and river flow.

This prototype is as close as we can get to a digital twin. Our goal is to improve it to make it more in line with what users need and expand it to cover the whole of Italy and other European, African, and Central American countries. It’s going to take a lot of hard work from scientists, stakeholders, and even citizens to develop a reliable system for predicting extreme events. We need to come together as a community to build something really useful and used by those who really need it.

Additional information on the project, on the platform, on the real world and scientific results - also for young minds - can be found in the DTE Hydrology Article Hub and specifically in the scientific paper outlining the project.

PAUL O’CONNELL & MARLENE HORMES - PRESIDENT AND CEO & CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER, WATER EQUITY

“WaterEquity maximizes its impact through the integration of financial resources with local knowledge and support”

Founded by award-winning entrepreneur Gary White and Matt Damon of Water.org, WaterEquity is a pioneering asset management firm dedicated to expanding access to water and sanitation in emerging markets.

Since its inception in 2016, WaterEquity has mobilized private investments to reach people with access to safe water and sanitation in emerging markets – recently reaching 5 million – while offering an attractive risk-return profile to investors. They invest in financial institutions to enhance their water and sanitation microlending capabilities. Moreover, their Water & Climate Resilience Fund expands the investment focus towards climate-resilient water and sanitation infrastructure. Smart Water Magazine had the opportunity to explore WaterEquity’s mission, strategies, and successes in improving global access to water and sanitation with Paul O’Connell, President and CEO, and Marlene Hormes, Chief Investment Officer.

Paul O’Connell has been leading WaterEquity since 2019, leveraging over

"There is often a lack of awareness and understanding of the benefits of investing in water and sanitation among traditional investors"

two decades of financial expertise from his tenure at FDO Partners, LLC. An accomplished author and TED speaker, Paul has deep knowledge of exchange rate behaviour and international capital flows. His commitment to global development is reflected in his previous board roles with Water.org and Gavi. Marlene Hormes directs WaterEquity’s investment strategy, overseeing four funds with more than $436 million in capital raised. With a career spanning 20 years, Marlene has held significant positions at Annycent Capital, Alphamundi, DEG, and Goldman Sachs. Her extensive experience includes managing investments across 26 countries. Marlene also serves on several boards and investment committees, including the African Development Bank. Please read on for their insights and perspectives.

Can you share with us the story behind the founding of WaterEquity and what inspired you to tackle the global water crisis through impact investing?

Paul O’Connell: WaterEquity was founded on the belief that capital markets offer a powerful way to address the urgent need for safe water and sanitation in emerging markets. Our co-founders at Water.org, Gary White and Matt Damon,

had already achieved significant success by encouraging microfinance companies in emerging markets to provide credit to households for water and sanitation improvements. But once the model was proven, there was a need for more capital. That was the genesis of WaterEquity. The idea was to launch an investment management company to raise funds from the broader capital markets and put those funds to work in investment vehicles that not only provide the opportunity for financial returns but also drive meaningful social impact. There is a large and growing pool of impact-oriented investors who seek a double bottom line from their investments. Water and sanitation access is a relatively uncontroversial impact goal that many investor groups can coalesce around, given its interaction with climate change, gender equality and poverty alleviation. To date, WaterEquity has raised $463 million in capital commitments, alleviating the capital shortfall that Gary and Matt first identified.

What are some of the key challenges you’ve encountered in your efforts to increase access to clean water and sanitation, particularly in underserved communities?

P.O.: One of the key challenges is the sheer scale of the problem. 1 in 4 people worldwide lack access to safe water and sanitation in their homes (Source: WHO and UNICEF (2023) - Progress on Household Drinking Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene 2000-2022: Special focus on

Z Cristina Novo Pérez

gender). Each day, women around the world spend an aggregate of 200 million hours collecting water and many families pay exorbitant prices for tanker water, which can be up to 20 times higher than the cost of tap water (Source: Graham, Hirai, Kim. (2016). An Analysis of Water Collection Labor among Women and Children & Unilever Domestos, WaterAid and WSSCC (2013). We can’t wait: A report on sanitation and hygiene for women and girls).

Time spent gathering water or seeking safe sanitation accounts for billions in lost economic opportunities. There are also invisible costs to account for, including treatment for illnesses caused by contaminated water, and lost educational opportunities for children who assist with water collection instead of attending school. Overall, $260 billion is lost globally each year due to a lack of basic water and sanitation (Hutton, G. and M. Varughese (2016). The Costs of Meeting the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal Targets on Drinking Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene. World Bank Water and Sanitation Program Summary Report).

"WaterEquity embarked upon a new initiative with Water.org to originate investable opportunities in both microfinance and infrastructure"

The magnitude of the problem necessitates solutions that go beyond traditional philanthropy, and this is where capital markets can come in. For example, if just one-fifth of one percent of world equity market capitalization was directed to water and sanitation in emerging markets, the crisis would be solved in a matter of years, according to Hutton and Varughese.

But this brings us to the second key challenge we’ve faced: persuading investors that water and sanitation is an investable asset class. There is often a lack of awareness and understanding of the benefits of investing in water and sanitation among traditional investors. Overcoming these barriers requires innovative financial mechanisms, capacity

building, and advocacy efforts to highlight the social and economic returns of such investments.

Can you describe the innovative financial mechanisms and investment strategies that WaterEquity employs to address the water crisis while also generating financial returns for investors?

"It is clear that those at the base of the economic pyramid often pay more in absolute terms for water and sanitation than the global average"

"Partnerships are crucial to WaterEquity’s mission to mobilize private capital to address the water funding gap in emerging markets"

P.O.: Water and sanitation are what economists call necessity goods — they are consumed by each of us every day, irrespective of income. The only question is at what price? The evidence is clear that those at the base of the economic pyramid often pay more in absolute terms for water and sanitation than the global average. The price might be paid in money, as in the case of tanker water, or it might be paid in walking time or lowered health and education outcomes.

The realization that everyone is already paying for water and sanitation is the insight that allows financial returns to be generated for investors. The cost of credit to install a permanent household solution for water or sanitation is less than the daily price that those without access are already paying. Our financial solutions are designed to funnel credit to households to finance these solutions. Once installed, they produce “Day 1” benefits and savings, which allows families to repay the cost of credit over a modest and manageable timeframe that typically runs from 18 to 24 months.

"Satin

disburses an average of 70,000 water and sanitation loans annually in India, mostly to invest in household sanitation facilities"

Our screening and investment process proceeds in stages. First, we seek out opportunities with significant scalability and a track record of reaching underserved communities. Then, we prioritize impact and responsible investments by analyzing the social impact and ESG considerations of each opportunity. Finally, once an investment is made, we measure success, closely monitoring impact and financial performance throughout the investment lifecycle.

Beginning in 2022, WaterEquity embarked upon a new initiative with Water. org to originate investable opportunities in both microfinance and infrastructure. Water.org’s engagement in market-building activities fortifies WaterEquity’s pipeline, facilitating technical assistance and advocacy to nurture nascent markets. Underpinned by this initiative, our first infrastructure fund, the Water & Climate Resilience Fund (WCR Fund) achieved its first close in February 2024. Lead investors include blue chip, Fortune 500 corporations with water-related impact objectives and a belief in the investment strategy of WCR Fund.

How does WaterEquity measure the social and environmental impact of its investments, and can you share any notable success stories or impactful outcomes resulting from your initiatives? P.O.: We take a rigorous approach to impact measurement, using industry

standards such as the IRIS+ metrics and the Operating Principles for Impact Management.

WaterEquity measures impact through several key metrics, including the number of people reached with safe water and sanitation, both directly and indirectly, as well as the volume of water provided, or wastewater treated. Where possible we also track greenhouse gas emissions financed and avoided. Our investments aim to provide clean water and improved sanitation to millions, enhancing health and quality of life. Additionally, we strive to treat significant volumes of wastewater, reduce environmental pollution, and save water through conservation efforts.

These initiatives collectively improve health, promote sustainability, and support global environmental goals.

One notable success story is Satin Creditcare Network Ltd. Satin is one of the largest microfinance institutions in India, with a gross loan portfolio of over $1B and more than 3M clients. It operates in nearly every state in India and serves primarily rural, female clients. In 2016, Satin launched its water and sanitation loan product with technical assistance from Water.org and now disburses an average of 70,000 water and sanitation loans annually. The majority of clients use the loan to invest in household sanitation facilities. Results from a client

feedback survey indicated that 99% of Satin’s customers are satisfied with Satin’s service. In 2023 our funds made an investment in Satin that is projected to reach 100,000 people with water and/or sanitation over four years.

What role do partnerships play in the work of WaterEquity, and how do you collaborate with other stakeholders such as governments, NGOs, and local communities to maximize your impact?

Marlene Hormes: Partnerships are crucial to WaterEquity’s mission to mobilize private capital to address the water funding gap in emerging markets. We collaborate with diverse stakeholders, in-

cluding NGOs, governments, and local communities, through two strategies: infrastructure investments and on-lending to low-income borrowers.

Infrastructure investments: Our infrastructure investment strategy relies heavily on the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, involving close engagement with governments, local communities, and the private sector. For example, we help structure municipal water projects to attract private investment, including from our Water & Climate Resilience Fund (WCR Fund). The WCR Fund also invests in private companies with scalable business models that offer proven water technologies, products, and services. Our non-profit sister organization, Water.org, plays a critical role by providing technical assistance in the early stages of a project’s development or a company’s growth. Once ready, WaterEquity provides the necessary investment to build the projects or scale these companies.

On-lending for access to household water: Through our on-lending strategy, WaterEquity provides capital to financial institutions, which then lend to low-income individuals to construct water and sanitation facilities. Water.org supports these institutions by offering technical assistance to develop effective lending programs. This support includes helping these institutions understand the water crisis, assess loan demand for water and sanitation, and create targeted marketing materials. WaterEquity supplies the capital to scale these lending programs, ensuring they are tailored to local community needs and priorities.

"We help structure municipal water projects to attract private investment, including from our Water & Climate Resilience Fund"

"Our investments target women beneficiaries, and we integrate gender considerations into our investment decision-making processes"

By collaborating with governments, NGOs, and other private investors, WaterEquity maximizes its impact through the integration of financial resources with local knowledge and support, creating sustainable and scalable water and sanitation solutions. Our infrastructure investments aim to reach 15 million people with water and sanitation access, indirectly benefiting millions more through improved water quality and scarcity. Since 2016, our investments via financial institutions have enabled 1 million microloans, reaching over 5.8 million people with safe water and sanitation solutions.

In what ways does WaterEquity prioritize sustainability and resilience in its investments, particularly in the face of climate change and other environmental challenges?

M. H.: By 2025, 50% of the world’s population is projected to live in water-stressed areas due to climate change, with low-income families bearing the greatest burden.

"Our goal has always been to build a sustainable, global capital market for safe water and sanitation to reach those in need"

(Source: The United Nations World Water Development Report 2018).

Living in Kenya, I have personally witnessed the devastating impacts of both floods and droughts in recent years. Existing infrastructure is increasingly at risk of becoming unreliable due to such extreme weather events. WaterEquity’s newest investment vehicle, the Water & Climate Resilience Fund, focuses on making sustainable, climate-resilient investments in infrastructure projects and growth companies within the water and sanitation sector.

Our approach integrates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria into our investment process so that our projects contribute to long-term environmental and community resilience.

Additionally, we invest in business models and technologies that support a more resilient future, including investments in wastewater reuse, reducing physical water losses, and resource recovery.

Can you discuss the importance of gender equity and social inclusion in your efforts to improve access to clean water and sanitation, and how does WaterEquity ensure that marginalized communities are not left behind?

M. H.: The burden of inadequate water and sanitation is disproportionately felt by women and girls, who are typically responsible for providing water and caring for sick family members. At WaterEquity, our investments specifically target

women beneficiaries, and we integrate gender considerations into our investment decision-making processes, carefully evaluating opportunities to maximize our impact on women and girls.

95% of WaterEquity’s end-client beneficiaries are women: our primary gender focus is on the impact of improved access to water and sanitation on the lives of women and girls. We disaggregate end-beneficiary feedback by gender to understand how women are affected by our investments, and we integrate gender into impact verification research whenever possible.

WaterEquity also conducts a gender inclusion analysis for every investee in our portfolio as part of the ESG process. This analysis covers the investee’s gender-in-

clusive strategy, leadership, employment policies, and product design. For example, we assess whether women have been consulted during project design, market research, or through stakeholder feedback. We also evaluate the representation of women on boards and in senior leadership, the state of gender parity among employees, and the presence of policies that support or hinder gender inclusion. WaterEquity flags areas in need of improvement and collaborates with investees to suggest and implement changes.

What opportunities do you see for scaling up your impact and expanding access to clean water and sanitation to even more people in need, both within existing regions of operation and in new areas?

M. H.: Today, 2.2 billion people — or 1 in 4 — lack access to safe drinking water and 3.5 billion — or 2 in 5 — lack safely managed sanitation (Source: WHO and UNICEF (2023) - Progress on Household Drinking Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene 2000-2022: Special focus on gender). Economists estimate that achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (clean water and sanitation for all) by 2030

will require investments of at least $114 billion annually — four times current investment levels (Source: Hutton, G.; Varughese, M. (2016). The Costs of Meeting the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal Targets on Drinking Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene. World Bank Water and Sanitation Program Summary Report).

At WaterEquity, our goal has always been to build a sustainable, global capital market for safe water and sanitation to reach those in need. We aim to reach 100 million people in emerging markets by building a $1.9 billion portfolio of innovative investments that span household-level solutions to climate-resilient water and sanitation infrastructure. By continuing to attract capital from global investors and leveraging our deep expertise and partnerships in the sector, we can expand our reach to new regions and underserved communities.

"Our investment approach integrates ESG criteria and business models and technologies that support a more resilient future"

WATER INFRASTRUCTURE

DC Water’s Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant, the largest of its kind globally, treats nearly 300 million gallons of wastewater daily, with a peak capacity of over 1 billion gallons. Serving the District of Columbia, Montgomery, and Prince George’s Counties in Maryland, and Fairfax and Loudoun counties in Virginia, the plant has evolved since its 1937 inception. Advanced processes like denitrification,

multimedia filtration, and chlorination/dechlorination ensure thorough treatment.

The initial stages involve screening and grit removal, followed by primary treatment to separate solids and liquids. Secondary treatment employs microbes to process organic waste, while advanced steps like nitrification and denitrification remove nitrogen, safeguarding the Potomac River

and the Chesapeake Bay. Filtration and disinfection further purify the water, which meets some of the most stringent permit limits in the United States.

During extensive upgrades in the 2000s, with investments worth nearly $1 billion, the plant’s operational efficiency was enhanced by automating numerous processes. A cutting-edge operations center enables comprehensive

monitoring of the entire plant’s performance.

Emphasizing sustainability, the facility transforms waste into valuable products. Biosolids are recycled into local soils, and thermal hydrolysis generates 10 megawatts of electricity, cutting the plant’s consumption by a third. This commitment to innovation and environmental protection makes Blue Plains a model for future wastewater treatment.

“THERE

IS NO MORE IMPORTANT TIME IN OUR LIVES THAN TODAY TO TALK ABOUT WATER”

John Beckham, Managing Director of the North American Development Bank

Effective communication regarding water is crucial for the North American Development Bank, as it has been its top investment priority for the past 30 years. In this interview, we discuss the Bank’s communication strategy with John Beckham, Managing Director of the North American Development Bank.

Z Olivia Tempest

How do you think communication in the water sector has evolved in recent years?

Communication in the water sector has evolved as has communication in general in recent years. When NADBank started 30 years ago, the main communication tool for a project at that time was a public meeting, which is still important today to notify the community of the proposed project. In more recent years, we are seeing that social media platforms are also an effective tool to communicate our message. The Bank’s communication strategy revolves around an “all of the above” approach including in-person and virtual public meetings, traditional media, webinars, social media platforms like X, LinkedIn and Facebook as well as our recently launched NADBank Blog. We learned a valuable lesson from the pandemic and have adapted our communication tools as an institution. We wholeheartedly believe that well-communicated, quality information helps drive community engagement and involvement in our projects.

Why do you think it is important to communicate about water?

Water is life especially when you look at the U.S.-Mexico border region where we work, which is growing economically and demographically. Our region is also arid or semi-arid and faces drought due to climate change regularly. There is no more important time in our lives than today to talk about water. When I say water, the Bank defines water as drinking water, wastewater collection, water conservation, new sources of water including desalination and re-use, and stormwater. Communication around water is key for the Bank as it is our highest investment priority and has been for 30 years! When our institution communicates about water, it is seeking to engage the community with a project.

What are the most challenging aspects of communicating water-related news?

From my perspective, there are two challenging and intertwined aspects of commu-

nicating water-related news: one, explaining the human element and two, not losing the human element by being too technical. As we all know, water projects involve lots of technical expertise by engineers and general contractors who have their own language. At the Bank, our focus is to describe the human element as best as possible because that is why we invest in our projects. In my opinion, the human element is the most important. The next challenge is not being overly technical whereby you lose the audience. Keeping in mind the target audience is also key to how we communicate water-related news.

Could you highlight one of North American Development Bank’s communication success stories?

One communication success story from the Bank’s 30 years of experience took place recently. It involved a Mexican community that was experiencing major deterioration of their wastewater treatment and collection

infrastructure causing transboundary sewage flows negatively impacting all border communities downstream along a major international river. The Bank stepped in and proposed a possible solution that involved communicating and coordinating with more than 10 international, federal, state and local entities. Communicating with each one individually and jointly to provide a strategic vision ultimately helped advance and find common ground to resolve the issue. At one point, the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, led our effort to help us communicate with these stakeholders. As a result of our communication strategy, an agreement has been signed for a commitment of more than $81 million including blended funding from seven of the major stakeholders. Once the infrastructure is built, it will help resolve the issues in this community that were impacting the water quality for both U.S. and Mexican communities downstream of it.

SOMETHING TO READ...

The novel written by physician and author Abraham Verghese, narrates the tale of three generations of a Marthoma Saint Thomas Christian family residing in Parambil, a town in the southwestern Indian state of Kerala, from 1900 to the 1970s. The New York Times listed it as one of its 100 Notable Books of 2023.

When the future is uncertain A vivid portrayal of a bygone India

SOMETHING TO ENJOY...

WATER OF LOVE

Written by Mark Knopfler, lead singer and guitarist of Dire Straits, “Water of Love” was released in 1978. Knopfler described the ballad as a song that came from inside him when he was feeling particularly low and could see his future as “stretching out in front of me long and bleak”.

BY: SWM TEAM

SOMETHING TO WATCH...

SALT WATER TOWN

The dangers of rising sea levels

The two main characters of this award-winning short film manage a struggling caravan park. Holding onto the hope that prosperity will soon return, their situation takes a turn when an insurance inspector informs them that their land has become worthless due to rising sea levels.

© Sebastien.gross

© Barbi Reed