Addressing water scarcity through IoT and digitalization

Did you miss our expert sessions at IFAT 2024 in Munich? Don’t worry, for those who couldn't attend, we're bringing together the highlights from our speaking slots, focusing on water scarcity, the role of IoT (Internet of Things), data security, and advanced water loss management solutions.

Addressing water scarcity through IoT and digitalization Addressing water scarcity through IoT and digitalization
Diehl Metering

Understanding the reality of water scarcity

Water scarcity is a global issue, impacting all regions of the world. It's essential to recognize that no area is immune to this growing problem. Increasing population, urbanization, and climate change impact the available amount of water more and more – leading to long lasting water shortage periods in many regions around the world.

Why water scarcity demands immediate action

  1. Global Reach: Water scarcity affects every continent, with an estimated 2.7 billion people experiencing water shortages for at least one month each year.

  2. Urgency: The technology to eradicate water scarcity exists today. We must transition from reactive to proactive strategies, utilizing digital tools and analytics to mitigate the risks before they become unmanageable.

While we only have limited options to eradicate water scarcity, we can act on the water losses caused by leakages in the pipe network. There is still an average loss of 30 – 40% of drinking water within the distribution system. Protecting the available amount of fresh drinking water is the first step towards addressing water scarcity.

Leveraging IoT for sustainable water management

The Internet of Things (IoT) offers a transformative approach to managing water resources efficiently. IoT devices can collect vast amounts of data, helping to track water consumption more efficiently. But to really tackle the main problem, namely managing a scarce resource to secure its supply, the key is turning this data into actionable insights.

Building sensor-to-value chains

To effectively counteract water scarcity, we need to create sensor-to-value chains. This means integrating sensors that capture data with analytics and AI tools that interpret and help utilities and cities to act on this information. By doing so, we can:

  • Monitor water usage: Track and analyze water consumption patterns to identify inefficiencies.

  • Predict and prevent leakages: Use predictive analytics to anticipate and prevent leakages before they cause significant losses.

  • Optimize resource allocation: Ensure water is distributed efficiently based on real-time data.

Ensuring data security in IoT networks

But with the increasing usage of IoT devices and the data collected, securing the information in a digital world is paramount. Protecting digital networks and data in an interoperable IoT environment is essential for reliable and resilient water management.

mioty® for critical infrastructure protection

This starts with using the right radio technology. mioty® is a new approach for wireless data transmission, also suited to be used for critical infrastructure such as protection of drinking water supply. mioty® offers robust, reliable communication, ensuring that data integrity is maintained even in challenging environments.

Managing water losses in a hybrid IoT network

Integrating smart cities and smart metering applications within a single infrastructure can enhance the digitalization of water management processes. This hybrid approach supports efficient resource management and improves the resilience of water supply systems.

Water Loss Management: Diehl Metering's Innovative solution

Effective water loss management is crucial for conserving water and ensuring sustainable supply. Diehl Metering's Water Loss Management (WLM) software is a powerful tool, designed to tackle this issue.

10-Minute analytics for efficient water management

By dedicating just 10 minutes a day to using Diehl Metering's WLM software, utilities can:

  • Reduce Non-Revenue Water: Identify leakages and address water losses promptly.

  • Optimize operations: Leverage advanced analytics to enhance operational efficiency.

  • Conserve resources: Implement data-driven strategies to conserve precious water resources.

Shaping the future of water management together

Water scarcity is a pressing global challenge, but with the right technologies and proactive strategies, we can make significant strides in addressing it. By leveraging IoT, ensuring robust data security, and utilizing advanced water loss management tools like the WLM software, we can build a sustainable future.

 

For more information on our solutions, visit our website or contact our team of experts.