Intelligent Water Systems

As technological advancements continue to change the water sector, the qualifications for water sector jobs change too, presenting an opportunity to equip water professionals with new skill sets and knowledge.

WEF, through its Intelligent Water Technology Community, as well as through the Leaders Innovation Forum for Technology program, develops, recommends, supports, and conducts continuing assessments of technologies and techniques to promote the overall understanding of the application of process instrumentation, control equipment and automation, and computers and telecommunications to the management of information in the water environment.

Technical Resources LIFT Intelligent Water
Systems Challenge

Technical Resources

WEF has recognized that there is a growing interest in intelligent water systems by many in the water sector and has provided several different resources as an introduction to the topic.

• Technical Report on Detection of Wastewater Contamination
  This 2019 report highlights the results from the sensor technology Knowledge Development Forum discussions. The U.S. Geological Survey, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and the Water Environment Federation in cooperation with the Great Lakes Protection Fund gathered substantive feedback through engagement during this KDF on the detection of wastewater contamination for targeted remediation. The event provided an opportunity for subject matter experts and interested parties to openly discuss new technology and management practices.
• Technical Report on Intelligent Water Systems: The Path to a Smart Utility 
  This report outlines the 2016 Knowledge Development Forum discussions on intelligent water systems, and serves as the basis for expanding the vision for intelligent water systems.  The hope is that through continuing the conversation, we will be able to separate fact from fiction regarding the implementation of intelligent water solutions and practices and moving towards implementing intelligent water systems in the industry.  
• Big Data Analytics
  Data analytics are helping to drive innovation in the water sector.  The Imagine H2O Data Challenge as discussed in this 2016 World Water article, and the Cleveland Water Alliance’s Aqua Hacking program are examples of this.  For an overview of more startup companies and latest trends in the water analytics sector, see this article in World Water.