How Smart Water Makes Cities More Transparent
Source: State Tech Magazine by Jen A. MIller
Agencies implementing smart water technology programs embrace reduced costs, improved sustainability and a more resilient and efficient system.
Smart technology is used in local governments across the country to help with something that’s both a major resource and potential headache: water.
How much water is in the ground, in rivers or overflowing a shore during a storm? How can water be used more efficiently? What about the pipes it flows through? What about residents? How much water are they using — that they know of? What’s in that water? Do they have a leak? Could they use less if they knew their consumption, especially when compared to their neighbors?
Those are some questions smart water technology can answer and some potential uses for the data drawn from it, says Will Sarni, former head of Deloitte's water strategy practice and current CEO of Water Foundry, a water consultancy. “You’re seeing digital technologies emerge that are better able to understand what’s going on in the watershed, which benefits industrial and utility sectors too.”
What Is Smart Water Technology?
Smart water technology is a way to collect, share and analyze data from water equipment and water networks. It is used by water managers to find leaks, lower energy use, predict equipment failure and ensure regulatory compliance.
Around the country, smart cities are using all kinds of devices, including Internet of Things sensors, smart meters, monitors, mapping and other data-sharing tools for smart water programs. The goals of each technology are tailored to the smart cities they’re used in, but generally include reducing costs, improving sustainability and creating a more resilient and efficient water supply system.
The market for these technologies is expected to grow by 18.5 percent between 2018 and 2024, reaching $31.6 billion by 2024, according to Zion Market Research.