programming and business knowledge and uses new and advanced techniques
and technologies to work with complex data. The water sector needs to address
the issue of ‘big data’ and obtaining ‘signal from the noise’. Primarily, the focus is
on data to action by the application of data science.
The role of digitalisation for smart water networks is covered in this chapter,
exploring issues of IoT, artificial intelligence, blockchain and other novel
technologies. Reference to case studies demonstrates the type of applications
which will become increasingly common place. Some recommendations based
on future possibilities and opportunities are proposed.
Keywords Blockchain, Data science, IoT, Machine learning, Smart networks
1 Introduction
Population growth, urbanisation, industrialisation and climate change are placing
increasing pressure on water resources. The water-energy nexus is a term being
used to describe the complex linkages and dependencies among water, energy
and food security, and this is of vital importance for the twenty-first century.
At the current pace of growth and consumption, water scarcity has the potential
to grind food and energy supply chains to a halt impacting on economic growth.
A paradigm shift in water industry systems is required, by considering water
and waste treatment holistically across all sectors using flexible and responsive
processes to meet rapidly changing global challenges, minimising the impact on
the environment, and not compromising on public health and quality standards.
The importance of such a transition to a circular water industry by 2050 is becoming
increasingly apparent [1].
This chapter will focus on the UK water sector and thus form the context for
discussion of relevant technologies. Over time, water supply networks have evolved
into extremely large (over 300,000 km of each of supply and sewerage pipes in
the UK), complex, interconnected systems of pipes, storage reservoirs, pumps,
valves and other assets that are required to hold and deliver enough water
to meet all the drinking, hygiene, washing, gardening and recreational requirements
of modern society as well as much of the industrial demands and for disposal of
wastewater as well as surface drainage. Operation and control of water networks [2]
is the responsibility of water service providers (WSP) who are continually
challenged to be ever more efficient and to improve year-on-year as demanded
by regulators and investors. In the UK, over £90 billion has been invested
in upgrading water industry assets since privatisation in 1989, and there is now
a shift in focus to the aspiration for intelligent and proactively managed water
networks. In 2018 it was announced that over £50 billion would be invested
over the next 5 years, increasing spending 13% above current levels.
2
S. R. Mounce
and technologies to work with complex data. The water sector needs to address
the issue of ‘big data’ and obtaining ‘signal from the noise’. Primarily, the focus is
on data to action by the application of data science.
The role of digitalisation for smart water networks is covered in this chapter,
exploring issues of IoT, artificial intelligence, blockchain and other novel
technologies. Reference to case studies demonstrates the type of applications
which will become increasingly common place. Some recommendations based
on future possibilities and opportunities are proposed.
Keywords Blockchain, Data science, IoT, Machine learning, Smart networks
1 Introduction
Population growth, urbanisation, industrialisation and climate change are placing
increasing pressure on water resources. The water-energy nexus is a term being
used to describe the complex linkages and dependencies among water, energy
and food security, and this is of vital importance for the twenty-first century.
At the current pace of growth and consumption, water scarcity has the potential
to grind food and energy supply chains to a halt impacting on economic growth.
A paradigm shift in water industry systems is required, by considering water
and waste treatment holistically across all sectors using flexible and responsive
processes to meet rapidly changing global challenges, minimising the impact on
the environment, and not compromising on public health and quality standards.
The importance of such a transition to a circular water industry by 2050 is becoming
increasingly apparent [1].
This chapter will focus on the UK water sector and thus form the context for
discussion of relevant technologies. Over time, water supply networks have evolved
into extremely large (over 300,000 km of each of supply and sewerage pipes in
the UK), complex, interconnected systems of pipes, storage reservoirs, pumps,
valves and other assets that are required to hold and deliver enough water
to meet all the drinking, hygiene, washing, gardening and recreational requirements
of modern society as well as much of the industrial demands and for disposal of
wastewater as well as surface drainage. Operation and control of water networks [2]
is the responsibility of water service providers (WSP) who are continually
challenged to be ever more efficient and to improve year-on-year as demanded
by regulators and investors. In the UK, over £90 billion has been invested
in upgrading water industry assets since privatisation in 1989, and there is now
a shift in focus to the aspiration for intelligent and proactively managed water
networks. In 2018 it was announced that over £50 billion would be invested
over the next 5 years, increasing spending 13% above current levels.
2
S. R. Mounce