The increasing demand for water due to population growth, industrialization, and climate change has strained water resources, making it imperative to manage them more efficiently. Water is a vital resource that is essential for human survival, as well as for the functioning of economies and ecosystems. When water infrastructure fails, it threatens people’s health, peace of mind, and the environment.
Digital technologies can improve these systems to avoid water scarcity and ensure safety. This constitutes a significant portion of the investment governments and private businesses make to modernize their water treatment infrastructure.
Advances in computing power, data storage, and communication technologies have driven the evolution of digital technologies within water maintenance. The development of these technologies has made it possible to collect, store, analyze, and share vast amounts of data in real time, which is critical for effective water management.
The use of digital technologies for water management is not new, but it has become more prevalent in recent years. In the past, water utilities relied on manual processes and paper-based records to manage their systems. This approach was time-consuming and prone to errors, making optimizing water supply and distribution challenging. However, the development of digital technologies has made it possible to automate many of these processes, reducing errors and improving efficiency.
One of the critical benefits of digitalization for water facilities is improved operational efficiency. Digital technologies enable real-time monitoring of water systems and detect leaks, breaks, and other issues before they become significant problems. This allows water utilities to respond quickly to issues and make necessary repairs, reducing downtime and improving the system's reliability. Real-time monitoring also enables water utilities to optimize energy and chemicals, reducing costs and minimizing the environmental impact of water treatment.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed into law by President Biden in November 2021, includes significant funding for modernizing the country's infrastructure, including water and wastewater systems. The law allocates $55 billion for water infrastructure, focusing on replacing lead pipes, upgrading wastewater treatment plants, and improving water supply and distribution systems. Breakdown of allocation:
$20+ billion for safe drinking water
$15 billion in dedicated funding to replace lead pipes
$12+ billion to ensure clean water for communities
$1.8 billion to protect regional waters
$135 million for additional water improvements
Of this $55 billion, $15 billion is earmarked for lead pipe replacement, and $10 billion is designated for removing and remedying PFAS (per and polyfluoroalkyl substances) from drinking water. The remaining $30 billion is for water infrastructure improvements, including developing and deploying digital technologies.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law recognizes the importance of digitalization in water management and includes provisions to encourage investment in digital technologies. For example, the law provides funding for research and development of new technologies that can improve water management, such as advanced sensors, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is expected to impact digital technologies adoption in water management significantly. By providing funding for research and development, as well as deployment and workforce training, the law is creating an environment conducive to innovation and growth in the water sector. With this support, water utilities can invest in digital technologies that can help to improve the efficiency and reliability of water systems, while also reducing costs and minimizing the environmental impact of water treatment.
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