THE MAGAZINE FOR THE DRAINAGE, WATER & WASTEWATER INDUSTRIES
WATER PAGES
properly appreciate something until it is gone. Idrica stresses the need to consider whether a value can really be attributed to water. In this sense, emphasis must be placed on the integrated water cycle, which is essential to generate energy, produce food thanks to irrigated agriculture, to sustain human consumption, industry and control the climate. Therefore, water, according to the international water technology company, acquires an incalculable value that goes beyond any economic metric. So, if water is priceless, why are we not investing in the digital transformation of water management to the same extent as we are investing in other businesses and industries?
Currently, over 25% of water for human consumption is wasted due to broken pipes, leaks, poor fault response times and inefficient water cycle management, to name but a few reasons. “Although there are technological advances that could help to optimize water management, the opportunities they bring are not being fully tapped” note Idrica's Project Manager, Vicente Maicas.
The inclusion of information technologies in the integrated water cycle (catchment, drinking water treatment, supply, sanitation, purification and returning water to the environment) paves the way to significantly improving this process and maximizing the use of our most precious, though often undervalued resource: water.
4 MEASURES TO IMPROVE WATER MANAGEMENT
To achieve this, according to Maicas, it is essential to implement concrete measures, such as:
■ The strategic distribution of sensors in the hydraulic network to obtain real-time
information on the status of the system and its assets.
■ The use of smart algorithms that analyze this data and compare it with the
average consumption patterns of each population group, enabling predictions to be made and alerts to be issued about possible leaks and abnormal consumption.
■ The use of technological solutions to harness the data obtained, providing
access to accurate data on real and estimated consumption, as well as generating alarms that enable preventive
FOLLOW US action to be taken in risk situations.
■ The deployment of asset management programs to improve system maintenance and optimize work orders.
Against this background, Idrica’s Project Manager wonders: how much does it really cost to optimize water use? Or, for that matter, what is the value of the water we waste through inefficient management? “There is a need to shift the focus and consider value over cost on this crucial issue”, Maicas stresses.
According to Idrica´s expert, society must seriously consider whether it is willing to wait until it is faced with a water crisis head on before it begins to question the need to digitally transform the integrated water cycle. Every drop of water counts and there is no more time to waste. As a society, we
need to be aware of the problem and take full advantage of the information technologies available to preserve this vital resource.
“Digital management of the water cycle is key to ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for all”, points out Vicente Maicas. The value of this initiative lies not only in its economic impact, but also in the conservation of one of the most essential resources for life on the planet. The expert concludes, “being aware of the importance of water and the technological tools available to us, then it is everyone's duty to act in consequence and work together to build a more prosperous, sustainable and responsible future for natural resources. After all, as the English proverb goes, "you never miss the water till the well runs dry."
Latest UKWIR projects available for expression of interest
UKWIR (UK Water Industry Research) is now seeking expressions of interest (EOI) from expert partners or consortiums able to deliver targeted research projects tackling the biggest issues facing the water sector.
UKWIR is a not-for-profit organisation that facilitates, manages, and delivers a strategic programme of research projects for water companies in the UK and Ireland.
The 21 research projects fall under UKWIR’s 11 Big Questions (BQs). UKWIR developed the Steve Kaye
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