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Smart water infrastructure: Transforming water management
By Matt Lewis , programme lead, Sand Technologies
Smart water infrastructure optimises water management through a variety of technologies. Hardware like Internet of Things (IoT) devices and sensors are critical pieces throughout the infrastructure ecosystem, while data analysis, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) models play a role in helping city and utility leaders react promptly to the insights the hardware reveals. Water management encompasses multiple areas, from protecting and monitoring water supply infrastructure to ensuring water quality and handling wastewater management. By implementing smart water infrastructure, municipal leaders can improve aspects of water management and help smart cities work toward a more sustainable future. The technologies in smart water infrastructure include IoT devices for sensors, 5G connectivity, smart meters, real-time monitoring systems, advanced analytics, AI and ML algorithms and data analytics. These devices and technologies work together to monitor water demand, predict infrastructure problems, and detect contaminants previously undetected in traditional monitoring systems. A salient aspect of smart water infrastructure is AI. AI constantly creates a better, more resilient future by reducing water loss, improving water quality and supply, and optimising water distribution and treatment. Smart water infrastructure differs from traditional water management in two key ways: It collects vastly more details throughout the infrastructure, and the information is collected in real- or near real-time, allowing water management teams to react quickly. Traditional water management systems
Sand Technologies has leveraged its data analytics and AI expertise to help water utilities maximise their insights from data-driven IoT devices and achieve their goals (Image: Sand Technologies)
collect data through various systems: supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, computerised maintenance management systems (CMMS) and laboratory information management systems (LIMS). One challenge, though, is data fragmentation, which makes it difficult to understand the whole picture promptly. With extensive 5G rollout across many developed countries, smart water infrastructure can now collect more data, because sensors work in previously difficult-to-collect areas. The data collected can be more granular, and IoT devices transmit in near real-time over 5G-enabled wifi networks. This faster access to data allows utilities to react and prevent problems earlier than before. For example, early leak detection prevents water loss, reduces service interruptions and makes the infrastructure more resilient.
BUILDING A SMART WATER INFRASTRUCTURE Before embarking on a smart city
infrastructure project, remember that connectivity is key. Therefore, 5G must be in place to support the legions of connected devices required in smart water infrastructure, plus the bandwidth required to transmit the collected data instantaneously. To build a smart water infrastructure, start by identifying the business cases such as leak prevention and water quality monitoring. Next, determine data requirements for each business case, the technology in place and additional data needed. Identify data silos and design an integration plan for data consolidation. Then, outline an infrastructure plan that supports the use cases and ensures it is scalable for future uses. Furthermore, identify the required skills and any gaps. Develop a plan to acquire needed skills.
44 Water & Wastewater Asia | September-October 2024
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