Zaheer Shaikh, ARUP
It is estimated that 90% of the data available today was created in the past two years. This incredible shift has been driven by advances in computing power, the availability of low-cost data collection devices, an increase in the use of information technology, and the acceleration of the rate of development of artificial intelligence.
The way we interact, work, and live in the world is changing rapidly. This provides enormous possibilities for organizations but also represents a significant threat. The key to who effectively navigates this revolution will be based on who leverages these opportunities and adopts new technologies into their business. In the water sector, this digital transformation represents a pivotal shift beyond just technological upgrades to assets and operations. Digital transformation can be a strategic revolution by integrating not only advanced systems like AI and the Internet of Things (IoT) but also embedding strong ethical, social, and cultural values into the core of water management practices.
Through these practices, there is the potential to drive the sustainable, long-term management of water in communities.
This holistic approach goes beyond a traditional focus on enhancing efficiency and improving assets. It also addresses critical concerns like sustainability and equity. By leveraging technology, we can ensure water resources are managed more carefully. For example, we can use satellite data to track and measure water availability, or we can use AI to reduce energy and chemical usage across operations.
At the same time, technology brings us closer to communities and customers.
Through good user interface design, we can provide for and be more attentive to customer needs. We can also identify patterns and trends in data to enable water utilities to make investments more equitably. We need to ensure that digital systems are not only more effective but also fairer and more responsible, balancing technology with ethical and social responsibilities.
How can a water utility stay future focused and ensure they are ready to adsorb technology? The challenges of digital transformation extend far beyond technical hurdles, encompassing organizational and cultural shifts. It’s about evolving from traditional methods to a data-driven, digitally empowered approach, which requires a reshaping of organizational structures, fostering a culture that embraces change, and prioritizing sustainability alongside technological advancement.
What does this mean for the workforce? Historically, waves of technological change have shown that technology doesn’t replace work; it enhances it, paving the way to work that is more creative and engaging. To prepare for this, it is important to foster a workforce skilled in both technological and sustainable practices, ensuring that the transition is not only about deploying new technologies but also about cultivating a progressive, data-centric, and ethically conscious culture in water management.
Digital transformation in the water sector is a journey towards a more efficient, sustainable, and resilient future. This journey requires an integrated approach that combines technology with a strong ethical framework and is open to embracing cultural and organizational change. It’s a path not just defined by technological innovation but also marked by social and ethical evolution.
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