WIPAC Monthly - October 2023

WIPAC MONTHLY
The Monthly Update from Water Industry Process Automation & Control
www.wipac.org.uk Issue 10/2023- October 2023

In this Issue
WIPAC Monthly is a publication of the Water Industry Process Automation & Control Group. It is produced by the group
manager and WIPAC Monthly Editor, Oliver Grievson. This is a free publication for the benefit of the Water Industry and please feel
free to distribute to any who you may feel benefit. However due to the ongoing costs of WIPAC Monthly a donation website has
been set up to allow readers to contribute to the running of WIPAC & WIPAC Monthly, For those wishing to donate then please visit
https://www.patreon.com/Wipac all donations will be used solely for the benefit and development of WIPAC.
All enquires about WIPAC Monthly, including those who want to publish news or articles within these pages, should be directed
to the publications editor, Oliver Grievson at olivergrievson@hotmail.com
From the editor............................................................................................................. 3
Industry news..............................................................................................................
Highlights of the news of the month from the global water industry centred around the successes of a few of the companies
in the global market.
4 - 11
Digital Transformation & Wastewater Net Zero...........................................................
In this month's feature article, as a taster for the future IWA Digital Water Programme white paper on the subject we have an article
on how we can leverage the concepts of Digital Water to make the wastewater system all the way from the collection network to
wastewater treatment more efficient to deliver the concepts of wastewater net zero.
12-14
Now data nerds and transforming the water industry..................................................
The use of data and the reversal of DRIP in the water industry is essential with the challenge that the industry faces a skills shortage
especially in data analysis. In this article by InfoTiles we see how they have been working with companies to leverage more value out
of their data.
15 - 16
Digital Twins in Water - What progress are we seeing.................................................
The concept of Digital Twins in Water has been around the industry for the best part of the last decade. In this article originally
published for Aquatech, there is a discussion amongst some of the industries leading experts in Digital Twin highlighting what progress
we are seeing within the water industry.
17 - 19
Workshops, conferences & seminars............................................................................
The highlights of the conferences and workshops in the coming months.
20 - 21

From the Editor

To say that it has been both an interesting and a busy month is an under-estimate. My visiting Professorship at the
University of Exeter started in earnest with a visit down there (its about 3 hours by train) to give my inaugural lecture
which in my usual style was slightly tongue in cheek with some serious notes with it too. To borrow my own phrase that I
used that night "you have to have a sense of humour if you work in the wastewater industry." That evening was spent with
the entrepreneurship board with people from alot of different professions and I had one of those evenings where I just
didn't want it to end as the conversation was both stimulating and challenging at the same time, some people taking the
position of "Devil's Advocate," too and arguing against their own beliefs for the fun and stimulation of it. It is often said
that the water industry should look to other industries for different ideas and innovation. This was all done over the dining
table by a wonderful group of people who have had their fair share of trials and tribulations and had the proverbial battle
scars to show for it.
This brings us to the next step in this discussion insofar as the water industry has for a few years now started to see a
decline in the people that are available to work within the industry, the technical drain is still happening and if people's
LinkedIn profiles are anything to go by the drain from the industry is getting relatively severe. However, for the first time I
saw a light at the end of the tunnel too. The following morning after my lecture I was tasked with having a few discussions
with a few students and the discussions that I had were enough to show that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and
there is a talent pipeline under development. It also showed me that, despite some of the woes of some of the water companies, that there are others who
are investing in the Universities and are collaborating with them to get some very high quality research done.
The need for both the talent development and the research really came out in the past week when I (virtually) attended a LifeIP conference in Estonia talking
about Digital Water and in part the adoption of it. One of the people who was speaking gave their experiences of Digital Transformation Adoption in Estonia
which has an operational model similar to alot of Europe insofar as individual municipalities own/operate relatively small utilities as well as some areas having
relatively large utilities. Surprisingly the opposite of what you think in terms of adoption applied as some of the smaller determined utilities were faring quite
well as they had one or two Digital Leaders in their organisations where some of the larger utilities did not. This all comes down to the skills of the people
within the organisations. It showed that one or two people can make quite a significant impact and the need for Digital Leadership was paramount.
The same themes were echoed at an IWA webinar that took place this month with Mogan Padayachee of Rand Water and Deepa Karthykeyan of Athena
Infonomics both members of the IWA Digital Water Programme Committee. Mogan is currently doing a PhD as part of his day job with areas around Digital
Transformation and its adoption (that's how I paraphrase it anyway) and one of his conclusions from his work is that the leadership and strategy of Digital
Transformation is one of the key needs/barriers (depending from which angle you look at it). Its a PhD paper that I am sure many will be interested in as the
adoption of Digital Water is far too slow and borrowing from the presentation that I saw it may well be down to be a lack of leadership in places, skills and its
development in others and lastly technical barriers such as legacy equipment in other areas.
What is a certainty though is that Digital Water has alot to give the global water industry but in order to achieve it we are going to need to develop both the
skills at a base level within the industry and secondly a future cohort of Digital Leaders within the industry who can lead us into a future which fully enables
the technological advances that the industry so desperately needs. There is potential news in that regard but that's for another editorial.
Hope to see at least some of you at the Digital Water Summit in Bilbao - do come and say hello if you are there,
Have a good month,
Oliver

Instrumentation Pioneers awarded at InstMC Awards
The UK's leading specialist institute for measurement & control held their annual awards event in October 2023 rewarding the success of some of the institutes
leading scientists and practitioners. The event was held at the Royal Academy of Engineering in London and was attended by a plethora of instrumentation
specialists in their field.
The keynote for the event was given by this year's winner of the Sir Harold Hartley
Award for outstanding contribution to the technology of measurement and control
was given to Professor Martin Dawson. His keynote for the evening was on the
Development and Application of Laser Based instrumentation at the Fraunhofer centre
for applied photonics. The lecture itself looked at how we can use photonics in several
different ways to measure trace amounts of substances in applications ranging from
nuclear safety to pollution testing.
Professor Dawson is a physicist known for his work on lasers and compound
semiconductors. He is Director of Research in the University of Strathclyde’s Institute
of Photonics, which he helped establish 27 years ago, and he was also appointed
inaugural Head and Scientific Director of the Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics
(Fh-CAP) in 2012. Martin has over 35 years’ experience of applied research gained in
academia and industry in the UK and USA and he has been involved in the formation
and technical development of a number of spin-out businesses, most recently including
mLED and Neuro-VLC.
There were of course many more awards given out in the evening including:
• Professor John Barbur who won the Callendar Award for outstanding
contribution to the art of instruments or measurement.
• Professor Richard Brown who won the Finkelstein Award for his
international contributions to measurement and control.
• Professor Oliver Grievson who won the Oxburgh Award for his
contribution to flow measurement, instrumentation and control in
the field of environmental science and engineering is of outstanding
merit.
• Dr Gregor Brown who won the Cornish Award for his excellence in
scientific instrument making within industry, academia, national or
international laboratories.
• Mr Martin Bragg who jointly won the LB Lambert Award for his
contribution to the institute in his work with Digital Water Special
Interest Group
• Dr Shu Lun Mak who also won the LB Lambert Award for his
contribution to the Hong Kong Section of the Institue
• Professor Phillip Thomas who was awarded an Honorary Fellowship
for his long and exceptional service to the institute
Oliver Grievson accepting the Oxburgh Award for his services to
environmental monitoring
SWIG and W-CRF Forge Closer Ties for Member Benefits
As many of you already know, SWIG plays a crucial role in the water industry by promoting innovation and collaboration. But did you know that SWIG is also the
parent organisation for the Water Control Room Forum (W-CRF), which boasts 17 water companies in its membership.
Following feedback from our last conference we are offering 2 free delegate tickets to all our W-CRF member companies to foster greater participation and
knowledge sharing from a more diverse audience.
We're also pleased to announce that W-CRF is reciprocating this collaboration by offering a unique opportunity for SWIG members. W-CRF will now provide a
limited number of SWIG members with the chance to have complimentary tabletop displays at W-CRF forums during lunches. These forums are hosted by various
water and wastewater companies twice a year and are attended exclusively by water and wastewater company employees.
These steps have largely been shaped based on the invaluable feedback we've received from our SWIG events. Your input has been instrumental in guiding our
efforts to create more meaningful and beneficial opportunities for our members. We're committed to continuously improving and enhancing your experience, and
your feedback remains a vital part of this journey. We will be reviewing the effects of these changes in July 2024, so we encourage you to seize these opportunities
and make the most of your membership with us.
Page 4
Industry News

SUEZ and Vodafone partner on connectivity for next generation of
smart water meters
SUEZ, leader in digital and circular solutions in waste and water services, and Vodafone, the leading technology communications company in the UK, have
agreed to a five-year partnership to expand and enhance the range of smart metering network technology with an integrated, seamless, and high-performance
solution for water utilities resource management.
The partnership framework is intended to offer an alternative to existing smart water network solutions. It will deliver a cost-effective, vendor-agnostic Advanced
Metering Infrastructure (AMI), where the system automatically transmits the data directly to the utility company. The new solution is based on Narrowband
Internet of Things (NB-IoT) network technology.
As water resource management grows increasingly critical in the UK, smart monitoring, and detection systems, such as AMI, are becoming essential tools for
water utilities. They help collect real-time data for accurate billing, leak detection, and demand management, improving water conservation and operational
efficiency.
Two of the major challenges for water companies when adopting AMI is the availability of low-power networks for smart meter connectivity and the variety
of hardware options. In partnership, SUEZ and Vodafone will provide a tailored network design solution, combining Wize technology and NB-IoT to ensure
comprehensive,high-performing coveragefor each watercompany,irrespective of geographical characteristics and population density,resulting in an affordable
and easy-to-deploy smart metering infrastructure.
Over time SUEZ and Vodafone intend to work with manufacturers to streamline data sets, data transmissions, and remove the need for multiple systems
to gather the metering data so it is easier and more cost-effective for water companies to benefit from smart monitoring and detection on their network.
Aggregating data from different communications technologies into a single platform will bring the power of SUEZ’s advanced analytics and demand reduction
tools (ON’Connect™) to NB-IoT smart metering solutions.
“SUEZ is the European leader in smart water metering thanks to its long-lasting expertise all along the value chain, from meters to data analytics. With this
partnership, Wize technology, which has been successfully deployed for over 15 years thanks to its unrivalled performance, is now perfectly complemented by
the arrival of NB-IoT. This unique positioning is a major step forward in terms of flexibility and efficiency for our customers,” stated Mitch Donnelly, Managing
Director of SUEZ Digital Solutions UK.
Gemma Barsby, Head of IoT, Vodafone UK, said, “At Vodafone IoT we understand that there is not a one size fits all solution to smart metering deployment and
work closely with the UK Water industry to find the right solutions for our customers. By partnering with SUEZ, we have been able to develop a simple solution
to deliver on their customer needs. By bringing together our market leading IoT Connectivity offering with extensive NB-IoT Coverage and Wize’s compatible
hardware, it makes it easier to ensure water companies can benefit from cutting-edge technology.”
Page 5

Process Automation, Key to New Water Cycle Management
Rolling out artificial intelligence and data integration to warn of and prepare for extreme events in drinking water and wastewater treatment plants, and
for irrigation will deliver more preventive, automated management in just a few years. Part of managing the water cycle is the challenging task of handling
the systems and processes that enable urban water supply, water reuse, sanitation, and irrigation. In each of these stages, process automation is one of the
technological opportunities with the greatest potential to enhance the current water scenario.
The significant upsides for utilities include better operations and management, lower costs, and added value. Global Water Intelligence’s 2019 ‘Accelerating the
Digital Water Utility’ report says the return on investment from automating operations can be as high as 14%.
Integrating data into innovative, vendor-agnostic technological solutions is the first step towards more preventive, automatic management across a range of
fields, such as extreme events, drinking water treatment plants (DWTP), wastewater treatment plants (WWTP), and smart irrigation.
Droughts, storms, and floods, all water-related incidents, top the list of disasters over the past 50 years. Hence “more and more utilities are choosing to deploy
smart technological solutions to mitigate the damage and operational costs of these events,” says Jorge Helmbrecht, Business Development Director de Idrica
The implementation of sensors, historical data analysis, and weather and hydrological prediction models enable the solutions to identify potential events based
on threshold exceedances. These data, which may be internal or external, coupled with the use of mathematical models mean analyses can be performed to
simulate scenarios and support decision-making. “Automation is a key part of early warning systems whose return on investment is up to ten times their cost,”
stated Helmbrecht.
Automating drinking water treatment plants
In contrast to the control of the various DWTP processes in isolation, “digital transformation paves the way to centralized data management,” added Miren
Aldecoa, Water Treatment & Desalination Consultant de Idrica. In advanced predictive control, the algorithmic models learn and solve by predicting and
optimizing processes and can automate them without human intervention.
Use cases include forecasting the quality of the water collected, automating dosing for coagulation, simulating the properties of stored chemicals, monitoring
decanters, and optimizing filtration and pumping.
According to the international water technology company, in the future we will see progress in the detection of events that may occur in water supply networks.
will see breakthroughs in detecting events that take place in supply networks from the treatment plant and/or storage tank outlet to the point of consumption.
This will be accomplished by automating and monitoring significant water quality variables. Water health criteria will thus be expanded beyond viruses and
bacteria (SARS-CoV-2, legionella, etc.).
This makes it all the more imperative to roll out digital platforms that integrate and analyse dispersed data to break down operational silos, shift towards
centralized, automatic control of the plant, and simplify decision-making.
Improving WWTP operations
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are facing new challenges. Stricter quality requirements for plant effluent and sludge quality alongside calls to cut
greenhouse gas emissions, smells, and noise are making running them more complex.
The digital industry brings new options for improved connectivity and operations, further enhancing centralized work. “Fitting equipment with sensors and the
subsequent integration of internal (LIMS, CMMS, SCADA, field devices, etc.) and external (weather data, social media) data will optimize WWTPs in terms of
quality, the environment, and operating costs,” argued Pablo Montalvillo, Wastewater Digitalization Consultant at Idrica.
By using algorithms and mathematical models applied to this data, utilities can receive recommendations on actions to be taken, anticipating potential problems
and optimizing the processes involved in the plant. Idrica also points out that the trend is to implement systems that can automatically trigger any actions
required in the plant, resulting in operational improvements, robustness, and lower costs.
Irrigators invest in smart irrigation automation
Automating agricultural irrigation is designed to shrink the water footprint, promote environmental sustainability, and optimize the costs incurred in the
business. The starting point is smart irrigation, which means irrigating on the basis of the real needs of the crops while factoring in the humidity and type of
soil, climate conditions, and weather forecasts. Technological solutions show when and how much to irrigate by harnessing remote sensing plus information
from sensors placed in the fields to calculate the water balance.
Nonetheless, “automatic adjustment of agricultural irrigation scheduling goes one step further,” noted Jorge Helmbrecht. More and more irrigation associations
are automating this process. One of the main drivers is enhanced environmental sustainability since optimizing water use also cuts energy usage.
To make this happen, all network assets need to be monitored by fitting equipment with sensors. This year, Idrica expects irrigation associations to invest in
digitally transforming their infrastructures and rolling out new technological solutions that can tap into data to achieve greater sustainability.
Page 6

Channel islands beach community creates efficiency with operational
transparency
Channel Islands Beach Community Services District provides water, sanitation, and garbage collection services to approximately 10,000 people in the Channel
Islands Harbour area. The community’s infrastructure was laid in the 1960s so much of it is nearing the end of its life expectancy. Roughly 80% of the District’s
water comes from local groundwater sources and about 20% is brought in through the Metropolitan Water District, which is helpful in times of drought, but
more costly. Ensuring the water distribution system is in optimal working order minimizes water loss and helps with water conservation efforts to keep rates low
for residents.
The District chose Sedaru, a utility operational management platform by Aquatic Informatics. Jesus Navarro, Operations Manager with the District said, “Today
people use intuitive software in their daily life, so if it feels like you need to be a software engineer to operate an office program, it’s going to be very hard to
get staff on board. We chose Sedaru because it is easy for everyone to use, and the benefits are clear to see. Staff buy-in is crucial to a successful software
deployment so we set up lunch and learns that allowed people to play around with it and ask questions. This was very successful.”
Deploying the new software before the pandemic shut-down, slowed the speed at which new programs were added to the platform, but on the flip side, it
gave the district the ability to run operations remotely. Work orders were dispatched, completed and recorded through the platform, allowing staff to continue
efficiently performing their roles. “We never had this kind of transparency across the board. Without this, many staff would have been in the dark,” said Martinez.
Today the District runs several asset management programs through the platform, including hydrants, water sampling stations, pipes, valves, lift stations, smart
meters and more. When the fire hydrant maintenance program was first input into the platform, it identified a few hydrants as inoperable. With this knowledge,
the District was able to prioritize and replace the hydrants in-house.
Field crews record work performed while in the field, record information like static pressure and can update missing information and add pictures. “A picture can
be worth a thousand words,” said Navarro. “When you look at a photograph, you can often make better sense of what was done.”
Now if a customer calls to complain about their water pressure, the front office staff simply click on the nearest hydrant and read the static pressure to determine
if the problem is on the distribution line and needs to be checked out, or if it is a resident issue. Water quality sampling is done by a third party that collects
samples and provides the district with weekly lab results that are uploaded into Sedaru. “If a customer calls with a water quality concern, our front office staff
can click on the nearest sample station and give the latest results. Tracking of this information also makes regulatory reporting much more efficient, and with
customizable dashboards and selection criteria it is easier to identify areas that need changes in treatment regiments or flushing,” said Martinez.
Prior to the new platform, there was no valve maintenance program. For the most part, valves are neatly tucked away and can continue to work uninterrupted
for years if not decades, until something goes wrong. Most valve checks at the District were done based on staff knowledge based on years of experience. Now
the District connects Sedaru directly to its Wachs valve exercising machine and the work is automatically uploaded as it is performed.
“The field person just clicks on the asset hookup, and the machine records everything straight into Sedaru, including how many turns, how much torque it took,
and so on,” said Navarro. “These tools working together eliminate operator error. We now have accurate organized data, that makes it possible to generate
reports with a couple of clicks and easily identify faulty valves for replacement. We have taken this data, and now have a board-approved valve replacement
program, which would have been very hard to justify without knowing what we now know.”
As the District moved to smart meters, field crews were able to complete the change-out work orders, input new serial information to be used for billing and
add any specifics for future servicing. If a communication node stops working, Navarro can dispatch a work order to a field crew in the area to replace the node.
By using a connected mobile device field crews have all the information at their fingertips and can complete the work order in the field and move on to the next
task, without going back to the office to complete paperwork or pick up the next job.
Channel Islands Beach Community borders the Pacific Ocean and is surrounded by harbours, so it is vital that the District’s sewer system is well maintained and
monitored to ensure there is no spillage. The new platform runs a sewer lift station program that requires weekly maintenance along with monitoring of the
sewer main line. The gravity sewer lines are on a two-year cycle, with some hot spots visually identified on maps that require a higher frequency of cleaning.
Sewer wet wells are also scheduled in for a quarterly cleaning.
The new platform also manages work orders for anything relating to trash service, including delivery of new barrels, scheduling a special pickup and routine
changes in service.
Today field crews can look at Sedaru and see the whole day’s work ahead. They can take the right tools and people to get the job done. If a new work order gets
placed in priority, they can instantly see it and go straight to the site. Prior to this crews would come all the way back to the office once they completed a task.
“Being a small community, we really value quick response times and our residents expect that high level of service, so anything we can do to improve efficiency
makes everyone happier, especially the staff,” said Martinez.
The District is already in the midst of addressing the aging workforce with Martinez and Navarro both new hires within the last four years. Moving from paper
to digital has meant that the District is in a new phase of capturing information. In the last two years of deploying the new platform, the District has gathered
a wealth of information that will be easily transferable to new hires. Martinez will be able to show the enormous amount of work that is done daily and the
positive impact that is realized by this small community that literally has its finger on the pulse of every piece of infrastructure.
“What we really like about the platform is that it is dynamic. As we use the program more, we realize our needs are unique and we can customize features and
dashboards to streamline our work-flow. We know we will continue to change and improve, so having a solution that can adapt with us is key.”
Martinez said, “The days of being subjective and shooting from the hip are over. The new platform has changed us from the Flintstones to the Jetsons. In another
10 months or so, we'll have a baseline of data to be able to set clear goals and measure performance.”
Page 7

UK Government investing in water sector AI
A detailed overview of artificial intelligence (AI) and its increasing emergence in the water and wastewater sector was the focus of British Water’s latest webinar,
featuring speakers from Ofwat, Thames Water, and across the supply chain, including consultancies Jacobs and ExploreAI.
The most recent briefing, AI Explained, on 3 October, explored the emergence and adoption of AI in the water and wastewater industry. The session was
designed for those new to AI, companies looking to implement AI, or those hoping to gain greater knowledge about this topic. It explained how companies
can take the first steps in understanding their data landscape, how to lead AI implementation within an organisation, and current applications in the water and
wastewater industry.
Speakers included Caroline Gregory director of IT, digital and estates at Ofwat, who discussed AI and the open data strategy; Jethro Yates from Thames Water,
George Schley from engineering consultancy Jacobs and Tania Flasck, Byron Roelofszand Aidan Helmbold from ExploreAI, which builds AI-driven software and
digital twins for global companies.
Increased investment
“With the growth of big data, cloud computing and other technological advancements, AI has become more accessible than ever. The potential for AI to help
drive and support economies is already recognised across government and industry,” said Gregory. “There is a widespread commitment from the government
to support and invest in the water sector’s use of AI.”
Ofwat’s £200 million Innovation Fund supports developing and deploying innovative solutions to address the water sector's challenges. Several AI projects
are backed by the Innovation Fund, including Safe Smart Systems (SSS) which is led by Anglian Water in partnership with Jacobs, Skanska, Imperial College,
Microsoft, the University of Sheffield, and South West Water, Portsmouth Water and Affinity Water.
Long-term resilience
George Schley spoke in detail about the £7.5 million SSS project, which is developing an AI-powered system to improve the long-term operational resilience
of water systems in the face of climate change and rapid population growth. The system will identify, predict, and manage vulnerabilities to reduce leakage,
interruptions, and pressure issues across the whole water cycle.
The project is a first step towards autonomous control of water systems in the UK. The system will be able to learn from data and experience to make decisions
that optimise the performance of the water system - helping to ensure everyone has access to a safe and reliable water supply, even in the face of challenges
such as climate change and population growth.
The UK Government's commitment to investment in AI for the water sector is a positive development. The AI market for the global water sector is growing
rapidly, driven by the need to address the challenges of climate change, population growth, and pollution. According to a report by Frost & Sullivan, the global
AI market for the water sector is expected to reach $2.6 billion by 2027.
Latest technologies, trends, and regulations
British Water's Explained briefings are a series of paid-for webinars that are open to both members and non-members. They provide in-depth overviews of key
topics in the water and wastewater industry. They are designed to help attendees learn about the latest technologies, trends, and regulations, and to make
informed decisions about their businesses.
Lila Thompson, British Water's chief executive said, “The webinars are proving to be one of our most popular offerings. The briefings are excellent value for
money and open to anyone interested in learning more about the water and wastewater industry. They are particularly well-suited for water and wastewater
professionals, as well as for suppliers and other stakeholders in the industry.”
Topics covered in the Explained webinars include:
• Technology: New and emerging technologies in the water and wastewater industry, such as artificial intelligence, big data, and the internet of things
• Regulation: Changes to government regulations that affect the sector, and how businesses can both comply with them and identify opportunities
• Procurement: A detailed explanation of the procurement process and contracts within the water sector
UK Water Industry: An overview of the structure of the UK water industry - the key players and how it is regulated.
British Water provide numerous opportunities for water companies and the supply chain to connect, collaborate and access current and trending innovation
and information through its UK, Technical and International forums. Membership is open to all companies with an involvement in the water and wastewater
industry in its broadest sense.
Page 8

Closing the loop on sustainable water management
Looking the other way in times of drought is something that, as companies dedicated to caring for our source of life, we cannot afford. Water, a common good,
is becoming increasingly scarce. Responsible consumption and use, and efficient water treatment processes are not a choice, but an obligation. Now is the time
when the circular model of production and consumption must prevail over the linear model (buy-use-throw away) if we want to safeguard our planet and its
freshwater reserves, which make up only 2.5% of the total land surface.
On the other hand, we know that 45% of global emissions are due to our form of production, so the circular economy is seen as the preferred alternative to help
keep global warming below 1.5 °C, as required by the Paris Agreement. To achieve this goal, emissions need to be reduced by around 45% by 2030 and reach net
zero by 2050. At ACCIONA, as part of our strategy and commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we are clear about this and have been working
on it for years within the company’s main business areas (Water, Construction, Energy, Waste and Mobility). This has enabled us to establish a circular strategy
based on the industrial symbiosis of our businesses.
How do we apply the Circular Economy at ACCIONA?
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation, a world reference in the field of the Circular Economy, states that the most important pillar that supports the economic model
of the circular economy is the application of the 7Rs rule, a concept born from the 3Rs, defined as "reduce, reuse and recycle". It is a rule that should be applied
from the beginning of the design of a product to the way it is consumed, and putting pressure on industries to manufacture products in line with the interests
of society: Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Redistribute and Reclaim. Let us reflect on this, applying the first R that appears within the premises of the
foundation's model: "Rethink". Let us think about the influence of human beings and how they relate to nature, a fundamental part of this equation, given that
their actions have a direct impact on the environment around them.
In today's world, for any software application, technology tool and digital development to have an impact and be meaningful, people have to be – rightly – at the
centre of it. It would be logical to think that people are the starting and endpoint of this model.
Every action has a reaction, and in this case, our behaviour in terms of consumption, production and relationship with the environment around us, will have a
direct impact on the final result. We need to start from the bottom, with a sound environmental education and have enough capacity to rethink what surrounds
us; these two premises are key to ensuring the best decisions within this model are consistent, also in terms of how to extract, produce and consume; that is, it is
in our hands that the model works.
At ACCIONA we have implemented these ideas, prioritizing the needs of our clients and users and their relationship with the environment, taking steps from the
conception of our activities and services that support clean energy instead of fossil fuels; encouraging the reuse of wastewater for irrigation, and efficiency in
desalination processes as alternative water sources; supporting sustainable agriculture that favours local and seasonal produce, increasing the useful life of our
assets through efficiency in our operating processes, mitigating the generation of waste that is harmful to our health such as micro-plastics in our ecosystem from
synthetic textile manufacturing materials, etc.
This model that we have implemented in the water sector from the moment that we start to design infrastructure (treatment plants, networks and services), to
then build, operate and maintain them based on the premises and principles of the circular economy, will only be successful if we manage to bring together all
actors involved in water cycle management with the end users, in the same chain.
Can technology be the key to applying this model and closing the circle?
Obviously, the answer is yes: right now, there are few challenges that technology cannot tackle in industries, as long as we are clear about the problem we want
to solve, the opportunity we want to generate or the process we are going to transform. For example, one of the terms we hear the most in the water sector
events is "bio-factory"; our wastewater treatment plants are real factories of new raw materials (clean water, sludge for agriculture, biogas, fertilizers...) derived
from waste input to the facility, but how do we measure this? And more importantly, how do we make them interact with the rest of the actors, so that they can
be transformed into a real economy, and the by-products of the above processes can be in the hands of the people who need them in time and manner? In short,
how are we able to generate a positive impact and transform the linear model into a circular one?
The only way to improve and generate an impact is by measuring; through the use of technology and digitalisation, we will be able to improve. Thanks to the
application of circular economy principles, we will be able to go beyond having a portfolio of circular solutions and close the circle completely, generating wealth
and a prosperous economy. The application of technology has given us the ability to establish a sustainable methodology to track our processes and assets,
starting with water and expanding to the rest of our main activities.
Acciona have built the first platform capable of integrating the main actors in the water sector and those who are directly impacted by a new way of understanding
consumption and production circularly; from our clients, public authorities, farmers, other companies, universities and technology centres to citizens as water
users.
Thanks to our platform we have achieved three clear objectives:
• Validate the capture of source and life cycle events for the processes of the entire water cycle.
• Provide a distributed, shared and permanent record to all stakeholders involved in integrated water management through data certification and Smart
Contracts; this also provides transparency and data integrity to our users and clients.
• To have a model for measuring circularity, decentralized, but without the drawbacks of cost and energy waste of the traditional block-chain.
They have integrated everyone in the chain, as validators and users of the future Circular Economy Control Centre in the water sector. A core centre for the
conception, design and construction of all the infrastructure needed in the water sector and for the efficient management and optimization of all our processes
and operations.
Page 9

Paducah Water Builds a Smart Water System With ORION® Cellular
and BEACON® Software as a Service
Located at the confluence of the Tennessee and Ohio Rivers, Paducah is a popular
river town in western Kentucky. The city was founded in 1927 and is a UNESCO
Creative City. Its municipal water utility, Paducah Water, works diligently to serve
its approximately 27,000 water customers, ensuring the reliability, safety and
quality of this historic and creative city’s water supply.
Five years ago, Paducah Water identified a need to upgrade its water system.
The utility used a manual reading system for decades and investigated multiple
solutions, including touch-read and drive-by systems. None of the solutions met
its requirements. “In both of our attempts to deploy new solutions, we found the
equipment and systems to be unreliable. We even had to stop our implementation
efforts after having installed 1,000 new water meters,” said Bill Robertson, general
manager of Paducah Water. “We had to keep looking.”
Finding the Right Solution
In 2014, Robertson and his team learned of Badger Meter’s Advanced Metering
Infrastructure (AMI) solutions, specifically the BEACON® Software as a Service
(SaaS) managed solution with ORION® Cellular endpoints. Paducah Water began
piloting the solution right away, becoming one of the first utilities in the country
to implement what at the time was brand new technology. “We were impressed and quickly ordered and installed additional units. The cellular endpoints were
easy to set up and were reliable,” added Robertson.
Over the next couple of years, Paducah Water’s team members visited other utilities in Kentucky and Arkansas that had fully deployed Badger Meter’s BEACON
SaaS solution and ORION Cellular endpoints. During discussions with the other utilities’ employees, Paducah Water’s team heard high praise for Badger Meter’s
solutions.
“In addition to the pilot, these independent references helped to show the Paducah Water team the benefits that Badger Meter can provide for a wide variety
of demanding utility needs,” said Kim Swinford, account manager at Badger Meter.
Strategic Deployment
Beyond the dated meter reading technology, Paducah Water had been using older water meters that needed replacing. To improve efficiencies and reliability
across its entire water system, the utility needed to analyse and understand every aspect of the system, including the water meter.
“We started to evaluate costs and benefits of deploying new technology and water meters after hearing the results from utilities across the region,” said
Robertson. “During the winter of 2016-17, we tested more than 2,000 of our meters, ranging in size from 5/8 in. to 2 in., to determine the efficiency of our
existing meters, which had come from another water meter manufacturer. We used this information to estimate additional revenue that would result from
deploying new meters and technology.”
While budgetary restrictions limited a full system deployment for the water utility, the flexibility of the cellular solution allowed them to deploy at a pace that
worked for them. First, the team installed 600 new ORION Cellular endpoints on existing residential meters in select locations around the city. The following
year—fiscal year 2017-18—the utility team budgeted to replace its commercial meters (1-1/2 in. and larger meters). Based on its experience with Badger Meter,
the Paducah Water team researched and ultimately selected E-Series® Ultrasonic meters at the 1-1/2 in. and 2 in. sizes for the replacements, especially noting
the meters’ accuracy and extended flow range.
The utility team installed the new E-Series Ultrasonic meters and set up the ORION Cellular endpoints during winter 2017. “For the first six months of data—
from April to September 2018—we are already seeing an increase in revenue of 9.6 percent for the 1-1/2 in. meters and a startling 20.3 percent for our 2 in.
meters. If increased revenues continue at this rate, we will be able to use the additional revenue to pay for replacements of our larger 3 in., 4 in. and 6 in. meters
in less than two years,” added Robertson. In June 2018, Badger Meter announced the launch of its new E-Series Ultrasonic meters for commercial applications,
which Paducah Water is considering as a replacement for its larger meters.
Riding the Technology Wave
As part of its work with Badger Meter, Paducah Water has become a utility leader in implementing the new IoT-enabled cellular networks.
“Cellular-driven technologies, such as our ORION Cellular endpoints, are allowing water utilities to deploy the latest technology without the need for costly
infrastructure and make updates as the technology itself improves. This flexibility enabled Paducah Water to transition to the new system based on their budget
and time schedule,” said Swinford. “By using cellular, Paducah Water is riding the technology wave.”
Water metering technology is advancing more rapidly than ever before. Paducah Water, through its work with Badger Meter, is flexible and staying up-to-date
with these advancements.
“Once we complete our full deployments of BEACON SaaS and ORION Cellular endpoints, we will have an even more reliable and efficient water system—one
that allows us to capitalize on increased revenues through other infrastructure projects and reduce customer inquiries,” said Robertson. “This new technology
has been an impressive and worthy investment.”
Page 10

Anglian Water reduces flooding and pollution incidents with real-
time picture of risk
Anglian Water has created a real-time picture of sewer risk, which is helping drive proactive interventions to reduce sewer blockages, flooding and pollution
incidents. The new mapping system reveals hotspots to prioritise where work is needed across the network to improve network performance and protect the
environment.
Developed using geospatial technology from Esri UK, benefits of the new risk tool in its first 12 months include a 51% reduction in blockages in targeted areas,
112km of sewers cleaned and 8 tonnes of debris removed. A reduction in customer service issues relating to blockages has resulted in more than £1m of savings.
There have also been less engineer call-outs which saves time and reduces carbon emissions from unnecessary travel.
By mapping scores applied to sewers, which consider multiple risk factors including their location, material, size, proximity to the water course and historic
pollutions, the resulting dashboard shows the riskiest locations which helps inform targeted interventions. To date, the system has been used to find and clear
over 1,000 blockages and discover more than 2,000 structural defects, including broken pipes and tree root intrusions.
The risk tool has also recently been used to identify locations to install almost 1,200 flow sensors on the network, with the aim to roll out a target of 22,000.
Anglian Water is the largest water and water recycling company in England and Wales by geographic area, managing 77,000km of sewers and serving around
7 million people. The new geospatial tool was developed to replace reactive and unconnected processes and systems and support better decision-making.
Designed to be used by all staff plus external contractors, more people across the organisation are now using geospatial software for the first time, both in the
office and out in the field. Since the risk tool was introduced, geospatial user numbers have almost doubled.
“Esri GIS has allowed us to develop a holistic view of risk in real time and shift our business model from being reactive to proactive. This new way of working
helps prioritise work and investment across the network,” explained Michael Wingell, Geospatial Strategy Manager, Anglian Water. “Every blockage cleared
means a reduction in the number of flooding or pollution incidents, saving both time and money and having less environmental impact.”
The risk tool is continuously learning and improving, supporting additional streams of work, including the targeting of fast-food outlets and Anglian Water’s
‘Keep it Clear’ domestic campaign to reduce blockages. Areas which are at high risk of blockages are identified so particular food outlets or neighbourhoods can
be approached and disposal methods for fats, oils and greases discussed. Network performance post intervention is then tracked in the risk tool to monitor each
programme’s impact. Using the tool to work with fast food outlets has so far prevented an additional 191 blockages.
Ongoing plans include integrating flow sensor data from across the network and using the risk tool to share data and collaborate with third parties, including the
Environment Agency and local authorities, when an extreme weather event occurs, for example, to help respond to flooding events.
Victoria Wilkinson, Strategy Manager, Anglian Water, said: “By embedding digital tools into the decision-making process within our business we can drive change
and improve performance.”
Page 11

Feature Article:
Digital Transformation and
Wastewater Net Zero
Introduction
The climate crisis and net zero directly involves the water industry as it is directly affected by changing weather and the impact that this has on firstly a lack
of water resources through drought and secondly the impact that more severe weather has on wastewater collection systems and wastewater treatment
works. In the UK we have seen the problems that the industry faces with storm overflows and this is partly down to the change in climate causing stress on the
wastewater systems.
Bearing this is in mind there is naturally a drive by the water industry towards achieving Net Zero, but what is Net Zero in real terms. Well, if you taken the UN
definition of it the meaning is
“Net Zero means cutting greenhouse gas emissions to as close to zero as possible, with any remaining emissions re-absorbed from the
atmosphere, e.g. by oceans and forests for instance.”
They go on to define why it is so important:
“The Science shows clearly that in order to avert the worst impacts of climate change and preserve a liveable plant, global temperature
increases needs to be limited to 1.5⁰C above pre-industrial levels. To keep global warming to no more than this, as called for in the Paris
Agreement – emissions need to be reduced to 45% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050.
In 2021 the UK Water Companies united to join the “Race to Net Zero” and each produced a routemap estimating investments between £2-4 billion. Each of the
water companies had their differing strategies and produced their own plans on how they were going to reach it. Central to the plans were carbon emissions
using the standard “scope definitions,” so, what are the definitions of the three different types of carbon emissions.
• Scope 1 – covers emissions from sources that an organisation owns or controls directly – for example from burning fuel in a fleet of vehicles.
• Scope 2 – are emissions that a company causes indirectly and come from where the energy it purchases and uses is produced.
• Scope 3 – are emissions that are not produced by the company itself and are not the result of activities from assets owned or controlled
by them, but those that it is indirectly responsible for up and down its value chain.
The Wastewater Industry and carbon emissions
When we put the wastewater industry under the spotlight of the three scopes and carbon emissions there is the potential for a lot to be done. Let’s look at the
three types of emissions and what the contribution is from the wastewater industry.
When we look at Scope 1 emissions and the wastewater industry the main thing to think about is all of the road transport that goes on within the water industry
taking sludges from wastewater treatment plants to sludge treatment centres and then treated sludge to land the amount of tanker movements is very large
and thus the resulting emissions are too. This is summarised very neatly in Anglian Water’s biosolids strategy.
When we look at the geographical spread across
one water company alone the distance from the
most Southern sludge treatment centre to the most
Northern one is close to 200 miles and as the Anglian
Water centres treat approximately 180,000 tonnes of
dry solids per annum equating to hundreds of tanker
movements every day. The carbon emissions from
Anglian Water’s transport emission alone equate to
21,380 tonnes of CO2e and their vehicles come up
to 20 million miles per year. When this is compared
to the national amount of sludge which for 2020 was
recorded as 807,882 tonnes .
When we look at the Scope 2 emissions this is where
there is a very large potential within the wastewater
industry. On average, it takes between 250-300kg
CO2e at worst-case to treat 1000m3 of wastewater.
This includes the fugitive emissions from wastewater
including nitrous oxide although this is a developing
science that is not fully understood, and it does
depend upon the method that is used to calculate the
CO2 emissions. This is shown in figure 2.
Figure 1 Activities in the Bio-resources price control
Page 12

Figure 2 Location -based methodology for Gross and Net GHG intensity of wastewater treatment 2020-2021 in kgCO2e/Ml
Considering that the UK treats about 10 billion litres of wastewater every day this equates to approximately 1% of the average daily consumption of electricity
across the UK . However, balancing this out is that the energy that the water companies produce themselves. For instance, in 2020 Thames Water generated
approximately 476 GWh of renewable electricity and 127GWh. This is all produced from sewage sludge and the anaerobic digestion process through the
combustion of methane in combined heat & power (CHP) engines.
When we look at Scope 3 emissions can basically be influenced by efficiency in capital schemes and reducing embodied carbon and considering that the water
industry has proposed that they invest a total of £96 billion for the 2025-2030 period which is a large increase over their current plans there is a huge potential
of an increase in Scope 3 emissions.
Digital Transformation and Wastewater Net Zero
In wastewater there is a huge potential to reduce all of the emissions that are produced each and every day to the extent that it is not viable to offset these
although there is a potential that at least some of the emissions can be accounted for by purchasing green electricity and for the water companies to produce
every increasing amounts of electricity via renewable sources.
However, the first area that can be examined is fugitive emissions from wastewater treatment. It is now well understood that wastewater treatment produces
a large amount of nitrous oxide which is a greenhouse gas which has 300 times the impact of CO2. The reduction of nitrous oxide is something that can be
controlled via advanced wastewater treatment practices using a combination of both real time control and multi-variate process control strategies.
The potential to reduce Scope 1 emissions through fugitive emission control
Real Time Control of wastewater treatment plants is a well-established process especially around activated sludge plants. Considering that 6.2% of the wastewater
treatment plants in the UK treat around 80% of the load through the wastewater treatment plants this means that the industry needs to concentrate on the
control of 378 wastewater treatment plants to have the greatest effect in fugitive emissions. This means that Real Time Control of these wastewater treatment
plants is essential. This has been done by some water companies to reduce the amount of electricity that they use and is currently being developed to control the
wastewater treatment works to limit their fugitive emissions of nitrous oxide. The main problem is that this does need research, development and innovation to
be undertaken to develop the underpinning models to control nitrous oxide and other fugitive emissions to be controlled as well as other strategies to reduce
power consumption. This is a change in focus for the wastewater and may change the fundamental design of wastewater treatment works which will leave the
industry of a legacy issue in managing the current asset base.
This is only one of the potential control strategies to limit the greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater treatment. Another more fundamental potential
is to manage the flow into the wastewater treatment works and balance it where possible to ensure that the flow (and load) to treatment is balanced where
possible. Wastewater treatment normally peaks twice a day, which is called “the diurnal profile.” This is designed for with a peaking factor into the works where
the treatment assets (mainly aeration blowers) design at up to 40% more power. During the evening when most people are asleep the flow and load coming
into wastewater treatment works is at a minimum level. This means that there is also a dip in both flow and load when the assets are working at a minimum
level. As a result of this if flows are more balanced over a 24-hour period the wastewater treatment process is more stable meaning a more balanced power
consumption and also a minimisation of process emissions as the process is operating in a more stable and efficient manner. This again an opportunity to limit
the process emissions.
Real Time Control using a model and monitoring approach is only the first step in producing a digital twin of a wastewater treatment works and its contributing
collection network to allow differing strategies of operation depending on the conditions. For instance in storm conditions the treatment works is operating a
maximum level with little or no control for process emissions and conversely when the treatment works is not operating in storm conditions an active control
strategy to limit both process emissions and power consumption whilst maximizing the power generation is possible.
However, one of the first limitation is the measurement of fugitive emissions and there are a number of different ways of measuring emissions. Scottish Water is
trialling a technique using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) to measure large areas of the wastewater treatment plant to be scanned for nitrous oxide, methane
and carbon dioxide and area studding the role that treatment works are playing when the emit them. There is also direct water measurement of nitrous oxide
by the Danish specialists in the area Unisense.
Page 13

Infrastructure investment and scope 3 emissions
Looking at Scope 3 emissions there is always a need to construct
more and create carbon emissions by constructing with energy
intensive materials. The water companies are always going
to need to expand their asset base to be able to manage the
increasing populations that they serve. The design and build
of wastewater treatment works and collection networks are
energy intensive processes that indirectly cause a lot of carbon
emissions. Certain techniques can be used to minimise this by
using materials that have a low carbon impact but there are also
techniques that can be used to minimise the impact of both
design and construction.
It is rare now that large wastewater treatment plants are
build from scratch and more often than not the expansion of
current assets is the modus operandum. However, as a number
of these assets were built decades ago and design drawings
aren’t necessarily available this is where advanced surveying
techniques using laser scanning is become a technique that
is becoming more and more popular. These highly accurate
digital representations of wastewater treatment assets have a
resolution that is good enough to design too. These accurate
representations allow retrofits of the assets more efficiently and
also allows integration of the models into asset data systems
and also into digital twins of wastewater treatment systems. Where these assets don’t already exist a digital representation can be built to allow water utilities
and operators to refine designs before anything is actually built. This promotes an efficiency in the design process but also allows for the materials to be looked
at more efficiently and reductions in the amount of carbon intensive materials to be minimised.
As the construction Digital Twin on the treatment works layers on both an instrumentation layer and a process model the construction Digital Twin becomes an
operational Digital Twin allowing efficiencies in operation to be realised too.
Discussion
The wastewater industry is a large contributor of greenhouse gases and it is a subject that is relatively new to the industry as a whole as new areas of opportunities,
such as fugitive emissions, are starting to be seen and strategies to cope with them are developed. However, there is a need to “race to net zero” in the most
efficient, ethical and sustainable way possible. The work has already started and there industry initiatives to reach Net Zero but it will take a large amount of
research, development and engineering to get there.
FIDO and Microsoft collaboration continues expansion to Mexico
A global collaboration uniting UK, US and Mexican organisations will help to reduce water network losses across the Querétaro metropolitan area. The long-
term project will deploy actionable artificial intelligence (AI) over 350km of pipelines, which accounts for almost 10% of the water network operated by the
State Commission of Water in Querétaro (CEA), one of the main utilities covering almost the whole state of Querétaro in Mexico. Financed by Microsoft, a
partnership between Generagua, a leader in infrastructure solutions in water, energy and telecommunications, and UK-based AI and technology solutions
provider, FIDO Tech, will deliver leak detection and broader non-revenue water (NRW) water management and conservation solutions.
Along with Aguascalientes, Mexico City, Guanajuato, Jalisco and Nuevo Leon, Querétaro is one of the six states suffering from droughts across the territory.
The World Bank estimates that as a global average, 30% of the world’s piped water is lost before it reaches the customer, most of it due to leaks and theft. In
developing nations, roughly 45 million cubic metres of water are lost daily, worth over $3 billion per year. Across Mexico, it’s estimated that between 30-40% of
water supply is lost daily due to leaks. However, the Querétaro State has emerged as an example of the triple helix model of innovation, a concept that refers
to the coordinated efforts between academia, industry and government to promote economic and social development.
Querétaro will be the third collaboration between Microsoft and FIDO Tech and follows projects being delivered in London with UK utility Thames Water and in
Phoenix, Arizona, with EPCOR. FIDO’s AI solutions can identify leaks and, most importantly, rank them by size, even in the noisiest networks, regardless of pipe
material or condition. Detecting and fixing water losses positively impacts water availability with immediate impact across local watersheds in a quantifiable
way. In 2020, Microsoft announced that it would be working to become water positive by 2030. To get there, Microsoft is relying on five key pillars: reducing
water use intensity, replenishing more water than we consume, increasing access to water and sanitation services for people across the globe, driving innovation
to scale water solutions, and advocating for effective water policy.
Eliza Roberts, Water Lead at Microsoft, said: “In order to become water positive by 2030, part of our strategy is to replenish water sources and drive innovation
to scale water solutions. The continued collaboration with FIDO Tech, using actionable AI-enabled acoustic analysis to reduce water lost to leakage, helps to
achieve both goals. We are excited to partner with FIDO on this third project, moving to Mexico and the Querétaro metropolitan area.
Gonzalo Alvarez, Director of Innovation and Processes at CEA, said: “We are excited to join forces with FIDO Tech, Microsoft and Generagua. Our vision is to be
a leader and reference in sustainable water management that can be shared across Mexico. We will do this by using state-of-the-art technologies, delivered
through innovative partnerships that will help us to be more efficient across different areas of the business.”
Page 14

Article:
How data nerds are transforming the
water industry
InfoTiles is looking to transform the water industry by unlocking the power of data using a new platform that will help combat growing water shortage across the
world. In this article, chief executive Johnny Alexander talks about his passion for water and how digital technology is a catalyst for positive change.
In the fjords of Norway, a group of self-confessed water and data nerds are exploring how new digital technologies and approaches can change water management
for the better. Now, InfoTiles is expanding beyond Scandinavia and sharing the technology worldwide, helping water utilities and industry manage water sustainably.
The water industry and disconnected data
As the climate changes and water shortages grow, using water wisely and reducing wastage is crucial. Governments and those within the industry are aware
that far-reaching changes are needed now, Johnny Alexander notes, “Globally, using water sustainably has never been more important. Ageing infrastructure,
inadequate investment, and a changing and more unpredictable climate are all contributing to an internationally recognised crisis.”
To find solutions to these challenges, data collection and analysis will play an important role in understanding where and when proactive measures are needed.
However, while the industry is embracing data to drive change and upgrade systems, the challenges posed by aging infrastructure, decades of underinvestment,
disparate legacy equipment, and lack of forward planning means that data can be fragmented and disconnected.
This can make it difficult to analyse and identify what is truly important, meaning that the data is of little use to decision-makers. This problem is the gap where
InfoTiles operates, seeking to unify the various sources of data and provide users with real-time data analytics that span the entire water value chain. This includes
supply and consumption, treating wastewater, and enhancing the surveillance of water systems.
As Johnny Alexander points out, “The InfoTiles software unlocks data-driven planning, operations, and maintenance so that water companies, utilities, and water
use industries can make decisions based on facts. InfoTiles simplifies and automates the tedious and time-consuming steps of consolidating data by applying real-
time analytics and machine learning to turn insights into actions to benefit from more efficient, sustainable operations.”
What data does InfoTiles collect?
At its core, InfoTiles provides a flexible approach to data, giving the ability to collect many types of water-related data from different sources, combining it to
provide useful insights at every stage of water management. As an example, InfoTiles can gather detailed information tailored to each application, including:
• Water consumption
• Flow rates
• Pressure levels
• Temperature
• Leakage
• Water quality parameters
• Asset health and integrity
• Water ingress and infiltration
• Meteorological data
InfoTiles can collect data from various sources, including smart meters, a variety of sensors, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and existing supervisory control and
data acquisition systems (SCADA). All this data is collected in real time and sent to the InfoTiles platform, hosted on Microsoft Azure.
The InfoTiles system can take data in different formats and structures and harmonise it to create a unified dataset. The aggregated data provides the system with
a strong foundation for monitoring and analysis.
Enhanced water data analysis
To analyse the data, machine learning and artificial intelligence use algorithms to provide InfoTiles with the ability to analyse the blended data. The algorithms look
for any patterns, anomalies, and correlations within the dataset to identify potential issues, such as leaks, to help users optimise water distribution and predict
water consumption trends.
Analysing data is only the first stage, and it needs to be available in a way that helps users access important information and explore the system at all levels.
InfoTiles presents the data through intuitive, centralised dashboards where users can access interactive charts, graphs, maps, and trend analyses.
Withthisuser-friendlyinterface,thesystempresentscomplexinformationinunderstandableformats.InfoTilesletsuserscustomiseviewstopresenttheinformation
they feel is most important, filtering data and gaining important insights from the presented information.
Johnny Alexander said, “InfoTiles’ innovative analytics platform empowers water companies, utilities, and industrial water users to make informed decisions,
Page 15

improve operational efficiency, and promote water conservation
through data-driven insights. We work collaboratively with all
our customers from the beginning to ensure their challenges are
overcome, creating bespoke solutions which meet specific needs.”
What sectors does InfoTiles help?
The flexibility of the InfoTiles software means that it can identify
problems, solutions and opportunities for several sectors spanning
the water industry including:
Water utilities: Enhancing water distribution, leakage detection, and
operational efficiency and flood management
Municipalities: Aiding in water management, allocation, and
sustainability initiatives.
Industrialfacilities:Supportingwaterusageoptimisation,compliance
monitoring, and cost reduction.
This comprehensive system covers all aspects of the water value
chain and supports real-time analysis to bring tangible benefits.
Benefiting the water industry
InfoTiles users can unlock a number of benefits from the platform, such as using data to promote positive and sustainable water management and helping
systems to better cope with future challenges. Another issue that water companies, utilities and industrial water users face is the increasingly strict regulations
to protect consumers and the environment. InfoTiles can help users navigate the often-complex compliance and regulatory demands.
Using and analysing data can help users boost operational efficiency through streamlining processes and connecting disparate systems. This can help water
companies, utilities, and industrial users begin the digital transformation and integrate technology with ease. Importantly, harnessing data can help understand
where, when, and how to invest money, leading to reductions in operational expenditure.
Overcoming challenges
Designing and integrating new digital systems always carries some challenges as integrating data from many sources, including legacy systems, can be difficult,
especially the process of securing sensitive water data and ensuring no unauthorised access. For this reason, some are wary of adopting data-centric approaches,
which can slow down digital transformation. For this reason, InfoTiles places great emphasis on cybersecurity, noting that cloud-based systems need robust
measures to protect data and encourage organisations to adopt data-based approaches. To help with this, InfoTiles works with its customers to give reassurance
and gradually introduce them to the technology.
Johnny Alexander said, “If potential customers are unsure about how they can adopt and use InfoTiles, or whether the capital expenditure will yield good returns
on investment, we say, ‘okay, let us show you how InfoTiles could help – with no strings attached!’ That is how much we believe in its ability to help and change
water management for the better.”
Moving water data collection into the future
Over the past few years, the team at InfoTiles has developed the software ready to move to the next stage, “After amazing few years of growth and development,
InfoTiles has officially moved from a startup to a scale up company seeking to expand reach and impact.
“Continuously developing advanced analytics, AI-driven insights, and predictive modelling, the team is continuously expanding to ensure the InfoTiles software
is smarter, more agile, and adaptive to more challenges.”
Expanding further afield is another part of InfoTiles’ development, moving outside Norway and building collaborations with water companies, utilities, and
industrial users across Europe and beyond. Johnny Alexander said, “As well as already working in Germany, Demark, the UK, Switzerland, and Sweden, InfoTiles
had its US debut at the Water Council’s prestigious Brew 2.0 programme in Milwaukee in June 2023.”
Page 16

Article:
Digital Twins in Water - What
progress are we seeing?
In the age of digital transformation, the concept of a digital twin has taken centre stage across various industries, including water management. From theory to
implementation, what progress has there been? In this article, we explore the progress made in leveraging digital twins for water management in key projects
across the globe with comments from experts.
Understanding digital twins in water management
A digital twin for water management is much more than a static 3D model or a single software platform. It involves the integration of various technologies,
including sensors, IoT (Internet of Things) devices, data analytics, and advanced modelling techniques. These components work together to create a dynamic,
real-time representation of a water system, be it a treatment plant, distribution network, or a natural water body.
Speaking to Aquatech Online, Richard Vestner from software company Bentley Systems says: “The components of a successful digital twin strategy will always
be directly linked to the effectiveness and alignment to the strategic goals of the organisation.
“Utilities face different challenges related to economic sustainability, infrastructure resilience and rehabilitation as well as operational efficiency. The focus of
the digital twin should be based on value to the company. Success depends on situational context, data availability, system interoperability, proactive processes,
people readiness for change and knowledge capture of retiring experts.
“From reduction of non revenue water and reduction of water intake to energy optimisation and reduction of carbon emissions, we need infrastructure
intelligence to adapt the digital twin based on value creation and ROI.”
Global trends
In the realm of digital twin technology, a noticeable global trend is the increasing enthusiasm for integrating IoT sensors with digital twins. Furthermore, there
is a growing emphasis on merging GIS data with digital twins to gain valuable spatial insights.
Recently, there has been a surge in the adoption of AI and machine learning for predictive analytics within this domain. These advancements offer numerous
advantages to utilities, including faster leak detection, the ability to predict infrastructure failures, optimized energy consumption, and informed data-driven
decision-making. As a result, these innovations lead to cost savings and enhanced service delivery.
Vestner adds: “Multiple system and technology integrations are needed because all of the data is interconnected. A siloed way of working causes data sharing
gaps, inefficiency in operations and makes it very hard to comply with standards. If we do not understand what our data is telling us, we might miss the important
advantage of the integrated digital information insights and sharing in agile workflows.”
Projects leading the way
While Valencia, Spain is largely seen as a flagship digital twin project, there are regular examples of successful implementation of digital twins from a whole project
life-cycle, including treatment, distribution right up to the customer experience, according to Shayna Ramboz from water industry membership organisation
SWAN tells Aquatech Online.
Some examples of note include in Singapore where the PUB implemented Royal HaskoningDHV's Aquasuite software at the Ulu Pandan Water Reclamation
Plant's Integrated Validation Plant, which has a treatment capacity of 12,500 m3/day.
“Over a two-year trial period, this software successfully validated significant reductions in energy consumption during water reclamation processes, minimised
chemical usage, and reduced the reliance on manpower, all while enhancing water quality,” she says.
Optimising water distribution in Spain
Similarly, the Tarragona Water Consortium in Spain adopted digital twins to optimise its water distribution system, Ramboz says.
“By integrating real-time sensor data with a hydraulic model, it can conduct live simulations to predict the system's behavior under various conditions. This
proactive approach has resulted in early warnings for potential issues, facilitating timely maintenance and minimising service disruptions. Moreover, it has had
a positive impact on water quality and has led to reduced energy consumption,” she says.
Last year a roadmap was launched by SWAN, Brown & Caldwell and multiple partners to help guide water’s digital twin journey.
Additionally, Danish water company VCS Denmark developed digital twin technology that integrates data from diverse sources, including sensors, SCADA systems,
GIS, and customer feedback. “This comprehensive overview of its networks has empowered it to optimise operations, enhance service delivery, and explore
Page 17

innovative data-driven decision-making processes,” she concludes.
Similar success stories can be found with Anglian Water and Global Omnium, who have also embraced digital twins to refine their operations, resulting in
reduced operational costs, energy savings, and improved customer satisfaction, Shamboz highlights.
Brazil’s Sabesp project
Vestner highlighted Brazillian water and waste management company Sabesp’s project as a great digital twin case study.
Sabesp saw advancements in the availability of technologies that generate data for monitoring the supply system, which meant much greater volumes of data
than they were able to use and, consequently, it needed a way to manage and automate data analysis.
The Sabesp digital twin centralises and integrates corporate data, facilitating qualitative and quantitative analysis of remote field sensor performance, equipment
failures, pressure anomalies, network leaks, and water balance by district of measurement and control (DMC). It identifies inconsistencies in DMC limits recorded
in the corporate GIS system, confirms measurement failures early to prevent misinterpretation of results, analyses pumping systems' energy performance, and
supports real-time hydraulic simulation, operational forecasting, and emergency response planning.
The performance pattern analysed is defined through machine learning algorithms that clean the historical data collected and determine upper and lower value
ranges, creating confidence intervals, illustrated by the grey areas depicted below.
Digital twins in Greece
DEYAK Water Utility in Kosani, Greece is also a case study to mention. DEYAK recently implemented a water digital twin to gain useful insights to improve the
performance and operations of its entire water supply network. The goal was to reduce non-revenue water, control pressure management, conduct active leak
control, as well as improve speed and quality of repairs and asset management.
Dr. Konstantinos Gkonelas, hydraulics technical manager at DEYAK told Aquatech Online: “The implementation of a digital twin helped us gain useful insights
to improve the performance and operations of our entire water supply network. All main strategies regarding reducing non-revenue water were improved,
pressure management, active leak control, speed and quality of repairs and asset management.
“As a result, man hour times for pressure management were reduced by 40 per cent and the speed and quality of repairs on new reported and unreported leaks
was improved by 50 per cent due to automatic location of isolation valves and the use of genetic algorithms that helped to identify them.”
Challenges when adopting digital twin technology
Digital twins of course don’t come without their challenges, yet Vestner adds: “Challenges always depend on the way you see changes. Either you see digital
twins as an opportunity to learn and grow or you see them as a problem that will only give you more work on top of the work you are already asked to do.
“A Digital Twin, by design, will break down data and departmental silos. Supporting a mindset change, because it obligates people to interact, encourages
collaboration and communication, ultimately with the goal of faster and more accurate decisions and alignment to the same company goals.”
Gigi Karmous-Edwards, founder and co-chair of the SWAN Digital Twin Working Group agrees.
“The success of digital twins in the water sector relies heavily on the ability to integrate diverse technologies and data sources. This integration transforms raw
data into actionable insights, optimising operations, enhancing reliability, and ensuring the longevity of critical water infrastructure.”
Learnings from Valencia, Spain
Valencia, Spain, has emerged as a global leader in the integration of digital twin technology into water management, setting an example for municipalities
worldwide. At the helm of this transformative initiative is Pilar Conejos, the digital twin manager at Idrica, who brings over two decades of experience in
hydraulic engineering and water management.
Speaking to Aquatech Online, Conejos adds that the achievements and collaborative efforts that have shaped Valencia's success story.
The heart of Valencia's digital twin endeavour lies in its holistic approach. As Conejos aptly describes: “The primary goal was to operate the water network
efficiently while safeguarding water resources and mitigating environmental impact. With early detection of potential issues, the system ensures a stable water
supply and preserves this vital resource.”
Crucially, the success of Valencia's digital twin project is attributed to collaboration between various stakeholders. Local administrations, government agencies,
local utilities, and technology partners have played pivotal roles in promoting and implementing this innovative solution.
“A digital twin is an evolving ecosystem that encompasses multiple technologies, and partnerships with technology experts are essential to selecting and
integrating the most advanced digital solutions,” Conejos adds.
Page 18

Real-time data monitoring and analysis
Valencia's digital twin system relies on real-time data monitoring and analysis, enabling the city to pro-actively respond to water-related challenges such as
droughts, flooding, and water quality issues. This capability ensures informed decision-making, efficient resource allocation and timely intervention to address
potential crises, aligning with the city's sustainability goals.
The economic and environmental benefits realised through the digital twin implementation are substantial. Valencia's digital twin not only optimises water
infrastructure operation but also aligns with broader smart city initiatives. It enhances efficiency and reduces waste, contributing to sustainability objectives and
long-term environmental conservation.
For municipalities aspiring to replicate Valencia's success, Conejos provides valuable advice. She emphasizes starting with specific goals and objectives, building
a robust architecture, and progressively expanding the digital twin's use cases. “This scalable approach allows cities to tackle a wide range of water management
challenges effectively.”
Looking ahead, Valencia envisions further expansion of digital twin applications throughout the entire water cycle. Multiple interconnected digital twins will
form a virtual system that optimises water management at every stage.
The future
As the industry continues to face increasing challenges that impact public health and safety, along with the continuing advancements in digital twin technologies,
it’s foreseeable that more utilities will adopt this approach to gain a more intelligent and resilient water network.
SWAN’s Ramboz adds: “Digital twins are an ongoing journey for utilities, not a checkmark destination.”
Meanwhile Vestner says he believes the future of digital twins in the water sector is much more connectedness between the other services and industries within
cities, to work in an agile and efficient way. “The digital twin will become much more automatic, with real-time control systems and AI and ML playing a central
role in the accuracy and effectiveness of the outcomes.”
He believes that cities will become more resilient and water-wise. Industry and technology will evolve in order to achieve the goals focused on transition towards
circular economy models that encompass water reuse, resources recovery, renewable energy production and the digital transformation of operations.
The concept of digital twins in water management has evolved beyond theoretical discussions into practical implementations that deliver tangible benefits.
These projects, including Valencia's flagship initiative and Singapore's smart water grid, showcase the progress made in harnessing digital twin technology to
enhance water resource management.
However, it's important to emphasize that digital twins are not one-size-fits-all solutions; they require careful planning, integration of various data sources,
and continuous innovation. As the water sector continues to embrace digital transformation, we can expect to see even more impressive advancements in the
coming years, ultimately leading to more efficient, sustainable, and resilient water management systems worldwide.
Key components for a digital twin strategy
Gigi Karmous-Edwards founder and co-chair of the SWAN Digital Twin Working Group shares the key components of a successful digital twin strategy for water
infrastructure projects.
• Clear Objectives and Scope Definition: Before starting on the development of a digital twin, it's imperative to define what you want to achieve, ie. your
objectives. Whether it's predictive maintenance, real-time monitoring, or optimizing operations, having clear objectives will guide the development process
• High-Quality Data: A digital twin is only as good as the data it receives. Ensuring accurate, timely, and comprehensive data is available for integration into
the model during simulation. This includes data from sensors, historical records, SCADA, GIS, etc.. This may be the biggest hurdle I still hear from utilities. As
more and more utilities start to embrace the use of LLM, and start to utilise them for data cleansing and analysis, which helps increase data quality.
• Integrated Systems: Integration ensures that data flows smoothly and that the twin can provide real-time insights. Data integration is critical and sometimes
a lengthy process if the involved data bases and/or application do not have APIs. Utilities should demand easy access to data collected or produced in the
applications via APIs. This will shorten and simplify the time for the DT deployment.
• Advanced Analytics and Machine Learning: To move beyond simple monitoring, digital twins should incorporate advanced analytics capabilities. Machine
learning algorithms can predict failures, optimise operations, and provide actionable insights that traditional systems might miss.
• Scalability: As water infrastructure grows and evolves, the digital twin should be able to accommodate new data sources, increased data volume, and more
complex analytics. Digital Twins continue to evolve to bring more valuable insights as utilities introduce more data and more accurate models.
• User-friendly Interface: The end-users, whether they are engineers, operators, or managers, should be able to interact with it easily. This means intuitive
dashboards, clear visualisations, and user-friendly controls.
• Cybersecurity: Ensuring that they are secure from cyber threats is paramount. This includes secure data transmission, storage and access controls.
Page 19

Water, Wastewater & Environmental Monitoring Conference & Exhibition
Birmingham, UK
9th - 10th October 2024
WWEM is moving to the Birmingham NEC in 2024. Planning is still underway but the firm favourites like the Flow Forum,
Instrumentation Apprentice Competition and the Learning Zone will be returning as well as some surprises. Watch this space for
updates but what is sure that in its new home in Birmingham the WWEM Conference and Exhibition will be bigger than ever.
Sensor for Water Interest Group Workshops
The Sensors for Water Interest Group has moved their workshops for the foreseeable future to an online webinar format. The next
workshops are
8th November - Innovative solutions for new flow measurement regulations
IWA Digital Water Summit
Bilbao, Spain
14th -16th November 2023
The highly successful IWA Digital Water Summit returns to Bilbao in November 2023 for its 2nd edition. These dates are provisional
at the moment. The 1st summit highlighted the potential and the 2nd summit will build on the first in November 2023
WEX Global 2024
Madrid - Spain
4th -6th March 2024
WEX Global occupies a unique place in the water conference calendar. Business meetings and conversations lie at the heart of WEX,
along with the principle of ‘exchange’; the exchange of ideas and philosophies, of business cards, of solutions, and of methodologies,
to form strong networks on which to build stronger relationships
WWT Innovation & Smart Water Conference
Birmingham, UK
14th March 2024
The WWT Innovation and Smart Water Conference returns to Birmingham to discuss Digital Transformation in the UK Water Industry
as well as the innovation that is going to be necessary to face the challenges that the water industry will have to answer moving
forward.
Page 20
Conferences, Events,
Seminars & Studies
Conferences, Seminars & Events
2023/4 Conference Calendar

WIPAC Monthly - October 2023

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