Embracing Digital Innovation for Sustainable Water Management

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Over 2.3 billion people will face water stress in 2022, which will rise as climate change drives extreme weather events. For industry, water scarcity poses a significant challenge for those particularly water-intensive, like semiconductor manufacturing, mining, CPG, and energy and chemicals, which depend on water for cooling, processing, and dust control.

Helping ensure a sustainable and abundant water supply for industrial and human use requires these industries to embrace circularity, innovative water management investments, and data-driven technologies. We partnered with MIT Technology Review Insights to delve into this topic.

Embracing circular economy principles

The concept of a circular economy emphasizes resource reuse, recycling, and regeneration. When applied to water management, it offers a powerful framework for reducing waste and enhancing sustainability to close the loop on water use, such as:

• Water reuse
• Industrial symbiosis
• Zero liquid discharge (ZLD)

OCP Group, for example, has invested heavily in desalinization and water recycling to achieve zero freshwater use by 2030. By implementing circular water management strategies, OCP Group is conserving resources and setting a benchmark for other industries.

Innovations in water management

Digital technologies are also revolutionizing water management practices, with advanced systems being integrated to further enhance operational efficiency and conservation, including:

For example, AI-driven predictive models can anticipate equipment failures in wastewater treatment plants, enabling preemptive maintenance and reducing downtime. Similarly, digital twins can simulate water conditions and optimize operations in real-time to manage water levels and prevent flooding.

Aquapolo, a water reuse company in São Paulo, uses AI tools to optimize decision-making and remote monitoring. Today, Aquapolo has scaled its operations without competing with the local population for water resources, proving that technology can drive both industrial efficiency and sustainability.

Navigating tomorrow's waters

The long-term vision for sustainable water management involves a shift from reactive to proactive strategies. This is only made possible with data. Data-driven insights and automation allow for real-time operational adjustments and more efficient resource use.

By embracing digital innovation and circular economy principles, industries can transform their approach to water management, ensuring that they survive and thrive in an increasingly water-stressed world. The future of water management lies in our ability to innovate, collaborate, and act with urgency.

Industries must prioritize adopting data-driven technologies in their water management systems and embrace circular economic principles to help reduce environmental impact and ensure the long-term viability of operations. By taking these steps, industries mitigate the risks associated with water scarcity and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future.

" Digital technology and data play a crucial role in developing technology for water innovations, enabling better management of resources, optimizing treatment processes, and improving efficiency in distribution."

Vincent Puisor, Global Business Development Director, Schneider Electric

For a deeper dive into the strategies and technologies shaping sustainable water management's future, download the full Schneider Electric-commissioned white paper, "Driving Sustainable Water Management." Discover how leading industries are turning challenges into opportunities through innovative investments and data-driven approaches, and learn how your organization can take proactive steps toward a more resilient and sustainable water future.

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