Local digital transformation is often directed by trends and directions occurring overseas. The EU has a reasonable amount of effort in the area.
Cognizant tells us that “Globally, utilities are the beneficiaries of advances in digital technology and analytics. Some of these (predictive analytics; machine learning and artificial intelligence; unstructured data analytics; video and thermal imagery from drones; cognitive computing; robotics; the Internet of Things; and blockchain) can resolve many of the problems facing water utilities.”
Key Industry Drivers
Cognizant discusses the key industry drivers that are leading this change as;
- Demand Growth,
- Climate change,
- Driving Water Resources,
- Funding Gaps,
- Ageing Infrastructure,
- Stiff Competition.
That report also tells us that the water industry has several major digital disruptors that includes;
- Connected Networks (IoT),
- Cognitive Enabled Automation,
- AI, Machine Learning,
- Blockchain,
- Robotics-Enabled Automation,
- Drones, Big Data Analytics.
The European Union is funding research and innovation under a program called ICT4Water. In updating the latest roadmap Achilleos identified the main gaps and challenges still to be addressed as;
- Big Data
- Data infrastructures
- Link with Smart Cities
- Nexus, Water–Food- Energy
- Standardisation
- Lack of reliable field trials
David Nixon has worked in the water industry for over 30 years across a variety of utilities, engineering and business consultancies. David currently acts as director and advisor to a variety of organisations across Australia. david@nixonclarity.com
The diagram shows the ICT4Water action plan for a single market of water services
Credit: Cognizant and Achilleo