Smart Water Utilities


Book Description

Today there is increasing pressure on the water infrastructure and although unsustainable water extraction and wastewater handling can continue for a while, at some point water needs to be managed in a way that is sustainable in the long-term. We need to handle water utilities “smarter”. New and effective tools and technologies are becoming available at an affordable cost and these technologies are steadily changing water infrastructure options. The quality and robustness of sensors are increasing rapidly and their reliability makes the automatic handling of critical processes viable. Online and real-time control means safer and more effective operation. The combination of better sensors and new water treatment technologies is a strong enabler for decentralised and diversified water treatment. Plants can be run with a minimum of personnel attendance. In the future, thousands of sensors in the water utility cycle will handle all the complexity in an effective way. Smart Water Utilities: Complexity Made Simple provides a framework for Smart Water Utilities based on an M-A-D (Measurement-Analysis-Decision). This enables the organisation and implementation of “Smart” in a water utility by providing an overview of supporting technologies and methods. The book presents an introduction to methods and tools, providing a perspective of what can and could be achieved. It provides a toolbox for all water challenges and is essential reading for the Water Utility Manager, Engineer and Director and for Consultants, Designers and Researchers.




Handbook of Catchment Management


Book Description

HANDBOOK OF CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT In 2010, the first edition of the Handbook of Catchment Management provided a benchmark on how our understanding and actions in water management within a catchment context had evolved in recent decades. Over ten years on, the catchment management concept is entering a new phase of development aligned to contemporary and future challenges. These include climate change uncertainty, further understanding in ecological functioning under change, the drive for a low-carbon, energy efficient and circular society, multiple uses of water, the emergence of new pollutants of concern, new approaches to valuation, finance and pricing mechanisms, stewardship and community engagement, the integration of water across the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and the link between water, energy and food. These developments are framed within an increasingly data rich world where new analytics, sensor technology and processing power are informing increasingly real-time decision making. The challenge is also to increase cross-compliance and policy integration to meet multiple stakeholder objectives, and to link actions to achieve cost-effective outcomes. In addition, there are a number of new and exciting city, region and basin-scale real-world examples of contemporary and new catchment thinking; integrating science, technology, knowledge and governance to address multiple drivers and complex problems from across the globe. The time is now right, to capture the new challenges facing catchment management and water resources management globally. This revised and updated edition of the Handbook of Catchment Management features: Thoroughly rewritten chapters which provide an up-to-date view of catchment management issues and contexts New case study material highlighting multi-sectoral management in different globally significant basins and different geographical locations Up-to-date topics selected for their resonance not only in natural sciences and engineering, but also in other fields, such as socio-economics, law and policy The Handbook is designed for a broad audience, but will be particularly useful for advanced students, researchers, academics and water sector professionals such as planners, consultants and regulators.




Delivering Water and Power


Book Description

Modernize workflows, create actionable data, reduce costs, and prepare for new challenges. Location is at the core of many utilities' daily and long-term planning, but it's about more than making a map. It's improving the reliability of your water and energy infrastructure by reducing service interruptions. It's using data analysis to make informed operational decisions, both in the office and in the field. It's strengthening your network safety and security while increasing customer satisfaction. With advancements in smart technologies, location intelligence for utilities management is not just for GIS specialists. In Delivering Water and Power: Applying GIS for Utilities, see how public and private utilities around the world have implemented geographic information systems (GIS) to visualize and analyze data for situational awareness, operational efficiency, and asset management. In this collection of case studies and "how to" guidance, learn about how GIS was used to: * Protect customers in Denver through an innovative lead reduction program * Streamline asset inspections in the UK * Improve emergency response efforts in Puerto Rico * Increase solar energy potential and adoption in Dubai Through web apps, online maps, dashboards, and other GIS solutions, utility professionals develop a deeper understanding of network maintenance and performance within a real-world context, increasing operational flexibility, creating a safer environment for workers, and raising customer satisfaction. Discover how GIS and location intelligence modernize utility infrastructure and operations for improved service delivery and management with Delivering Water and Power: Applying GIS for Utilities.




ICT for Smart Water Systems: Measurements and Data Science


Book Description

Today, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have a pervasive presence in almost every aspect of the management of water. There is no question that the collection of big data from sensing and the insights gained by smart analytics can bring massive benefits. This book focuses on new perspectives for the monitoring, assessment and control of water systems, based on tools and concepts originating from the ICT sector. It presents a portrait of up-to-date sensing techniques for water, and introduces concepts and implications with the analysis of the acquired data. Particular attention is given to the advancements in developing novel devices and data processing approaches. The chapters guide the reader through multiple disciplinary contexts, without aiming to be exhaustive, but with the effort to present relevant topics in such a highly multi-disciplinary framework. This book will be of interest to advanced students, researchers and stakeholders at various levels.




Smart Water Management


Book Description

This book contributes to the debate about the suitability and challenges of the Smart Water Management (SWM) approach. Smart Water Management has increasingly been promoted to manage water and wastewater more efficiently and cost effectively by industries and utilities in urban contexts at regional or city scales, while reducing overall consumption. It is based on the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to provide real-time, automated data to resolve water challenges. Many of these technologies are complex and costly, however, and the approach tends to overlook cheaper and less high-tech (softer) approaches to address the same problems. Yet there may be opportunities for using them even in resource short rural communities in developing countries. The book includes examples of SWM systems in practice in diverse locations from Korea, Mexico, Paris, the Canary Islands and southern Africa, aimed at addressing a diverse set of problems, including monitoring water supply to refugees. Critical voices highlight the need for smart institutions to accompany smart technologies, the absurdity of applying SWM to dysfunctional legacy infrastructure systems, whether its adoption raises moral hazards, and whether SWM is the latest example of hegemonic masculinity in water management. The chapters in this book were originally published in Water International.




Water Stewardship


Book Description

Achieving true wholesome sustainability requires a change of heart. Hence this book starts in the heart. It asks the timely question of ‘how do we become true water stewards?’ The transformation to a new sustainable practice will be made through a new connection with our heart, a more holistic type of analysis (brains) and the right actions based on personal integrity (hand). A water steward should be similar to the shepherds of olden days. They were given the responsibility to guard the sheep. The village trusted they would take care of the flock, make sure it would be well fed, protected from storms and kept together. The shepherd learned to take a long term perspective for the flock, ensuring that the pastures were not overgrazed, that the flock was not led too far away from access to water and that shelter was in reach in the event of storms and dangerous predators. Over time the shepherds became increasingly skilled in caring for the flock. They integrated the responsibility of the well-being of the flock into their identity. In a similar way, we can take the responsibility for human water consumption and our interaction with the natural world. We need to understand and work according to the big picture and the very long term perspective. Being a water steward requires deep reflection of how water should be treated and our relationship with water. Water utility professionals have the knowledge and have been trusted with the role of managing human water consumption. This is a great responsibility and requires deep reflection of how this should be done. The book will present ideas and concepts for the new role as well as questions for personal reflection.




Improving Water Supply Networks: Fit for Purpose Strategies and Technologies


Book Description

Knowing how to manage the losses from water supply networks and how to get to the next level in bettering your system is a major problem and one that is most common in the majority of water companies worldwide. Sometimes water companies set their sights too high and cannot deliver due to non-realistic targets setting. Of course this is considered or seen as a failure within the company or country when it is really just exceeding expectations of what can be delivered. The aim of System Losses from Water Supply Networks is to assist water companies to identify where they are on the ‘water loss ladder’ and what is required to move to the next level. The book will provide an understanding of what the water companies need to achieve and where they should be aiming for in their efforts to reduce water losses. The book provides useful and practical information on non-revenue water (NRW) issues and solutions enriched with relevant case studies.




Smart Environment for Smart Cities


Book Description

This book discusses the design and practice of environmental resources management for smart cities. Presenting numerous city case studies, it focuses on one specific environmental resource in each city. Environmental resources are commonly owned properties that require active inputs from the government and the people, and in any smart city their management calls for a synchronous combination of e-democracy, e-governance and IOT (Internet of Things) systems in a 24/7 framework. Smart environmental resources management uses information and communication technologies, the Internet of Things, internet of governance (e-governance) and internet of people (e-democracy) along with conventional resource management tools to achieve coordinated, effective and efficient management, development, and conservation that equitably improves ecological and economic welfare, without compromising the sustainability of development ecosystems and stakeholders.




Data Science for Water Utilities


Book Description

This addition to the Data Science Series introduces the principles of data science and the R language to the singular needs of water professionals. The book provides unique data and examples relevant to managing water utility and is sourced from the author’s extensive experience. Data Science for Water Utilities: Data as a Source of Value is an applied, practical guide that shows water professionals how to use data science to solve urban water management problems. Content develops through four case studies. The first looks at analysing water quality to ensure public health. The second considers customer feedback. The third case study introduces smart meter data. The guide flows easily from basic principles through code that, with each case study, increases in complexity. The last case study analyses data using basic machine learning. Readers will be familiar with analysing data but do not need coding experience to use this book. The title will be essential reading for anyone seeking a practical introduction to data science and creating value with R.




Smart Water Utilities


Book Description

Today there is increasing pressure on the water infrastructure and although unsustainable water extraction and wastewater handling can continue for a while, at some point water needs to be managed in a way that is sustainable in the long-term. We need to handle water utilities “smarter”.New and effective tools and technologies are becoming available at an affordable cost and these technologies are steadily changing water infrastructure options. The quality and robustness of sensors are increasing rapidly and their reliability makes the automatic handling of critical processes viable. Online and real-time control means safer and more effective operation.The combination of better sensors and new water treatment technologies is a strong enabler for decentralised and diversified water treatment. Plants can be run with a minimum of personnel attendance. In the future, thousands of sensors in the water utility cycle will handle all the complexity in an effective way.Smart Water Utilities: Complexity Made Simple provides a framework for Smart Water Utilities based on an M-A-D (Measurement-Analysis-Decision). This enables the organisation and implementation of “Smart” in a water utility by providing an overview of supporting technologies and methods.The book presents an introduction to methods and tools, providing a perspective of what can and could be achieved. It provides a toolbox for all water challenges and is essential reading for the Water Utility Manager, Engineer and Director and for Consultants, Designers and Researchers.