Jokin Larrauri, Vice President Smart Water at Schneider Electric, explains how digital transformation can reduce non-revenue water in utilities, improving sustainability and efficiency.
Consider a business that loses nearly a third of its products before they ever reach the customer.
Such a scenario would clearly signal the need for urgent change. It sounds highly unlikely, but for many, it’s a harsh reality.
Such inefficiency would demand immediate, decisive action in any other industry. Yet, this is exactly what many water and wastewater utilities deal with today.
Non-revenue water (NRW) – the water that is produced but never makes it to the customer – amounts to a significant 126 billion cubic meters lost each year. For many utilities, this means about 30% of their water simply disappears.
The main reasons behind NRW are leaks from outdated infrastructure (which would take just over £4.7 trillion investment to fully upgrade) and poor water management practices. But it’s not just water that is being wasted – this loss also results in significant energy waste, contributing up to 4% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The International Water Association (IWA) estimates that the energy wasted through NRW can make up 20-50% of the total energy used in water pumping, treatment, and distribution, leading to unnecessary CO2 emissions.
Reducing the impact of NRW is essential not only for preserving our water resources but also for tackling global water scarcity and stress. Right now, half of the world’s population is living in water-stressed areas. And by 2030, we will have only 60% of the water we need to support our growing population.
The water industry is facing incredible pressure. The demand for water and the push for sustainability are at odds with ageing infrastructure and rising costs. But instead of viewing NRW as just a problem, the industry should see it as an opportunity – one that, if addressed, can boost profitability while safeguarding our vital water resources.
Harnessing digital tools
One of the biggest problems the industry faces is that many of the automation systems they are using were designed and installed decades ago, based upon hardware. These hardware-centric systems create data silos and do not support the needs of today’s industries as they strive to improve operational resilience, data transparency and agility.
Instead, we must move towards software-defined and open automation to decouple the hardware cycle from the software cycle. This shift allows utilities to introduce and easily integrate new technology alongside their existing installed base, and seamlessly manage their complete operation. By prioritising digitisation, industry can drive industrial operational efficiency, and optimise processes to reduce operational costs and empower corporate sustainability.
Digital tools underpinned by automation optimise the use of resources such as energy and raw materials. By automating processes, water utilities can enhance operational efficiency and transparency, allowing for real-time monitoring and control of various parts of the water system.
Automation strategies provide water utilities with capabilities to address NRW, including:
1. Real-time monitoring and leak detection – Utilising advanced meters, sensors, and pressure gauges permit utilities to obtain real-time data on water flow, pressure, and consumption. Advanced analytics and machine learning algorithms process this data to detect and locate leaks more accurately, enabling timely repairs and reducing water loss.
2. Pressure management – Digital tools monitor and control pressure levels to prevent burst pipes and leaks caused by high pressure.
3. Predictive maintenance – Data analysis and predictive algorithms anticipate maintenance needs by monitoring flow rates, pressure changes, and equipment performance, anticipating potential issues before significant leaks occur. This reduces the chance of equipment failure and downtime, helping operators plan maintenance activities more effectively and ensuring continuous, efficient operations.
4. Asset management – Digital platforms offer comprehensive views of infrastructure, identifying ageing or deteriorating assets. Prioritising maintenance and replacement efforts helps mitigate the risk of leaks.
5. Breaking down organisational silos – Enhanced data sharing and integration among departments like engineering, operations, maintenance, and customer service drive coordinated NRW reduction initiatives and continuous improvement.
6. Data-driven decision-making – Abundant data from digital systems allows for informed decisions on infrastructure investments, repair prioritisation, and resource allocation.
Driving digital change
Realising the power of a digital transformation requires the right balance between humans and technology. It is not enough to implement these new tools and understand the benefits and limitations of digitalisation; this knowledge must be translated into actions by utilities, stakeholders, and policymakers.
To impact NRW reduction, water utilities must embrace digital transformation as a strategic priority. This means investing in digital infrastructure to implement advanced monitoring systems, data analytics platforms, and sensor networks that enable real-time monitoring and accurate leak detection to detect leaks and prevent water loss promptly.
At the same time workers should be empowered to develop the right skills to leverage the potential of digital solutions by investing in training programs to enhance their capabilities in data analysis, and system maintenance. Process and policies should be flexible and enable change through partnerships and engaging with policymakers.
Crucially, true digital transformation requires a cultural shift – one that embraces collaboration and continuous improvement. Through regular knowledge sharing and the harnessing collective expertise across departments, effective decision-making can take place. This must be combined with the understanding that digital transformation is not a destination but a journey – with constant feedback loops, performance metrics, and adaption to emerging technologies and best practices.
Charting a sustainable future
The tools and strategies required to tackle NRW and promote sustainable water management are within reach. Imagine a future where a utility losing 30% of its product becomes nothing more than an imagination, rather than a costly reality. By investing in the right digital technologies and adopting a collaborative, data-driven approach, utilities can conserve resources, secure the future of water for generations, and improve profitability.
