In 2007, the Water Management Action Plan (waterMAP) in Victoria, Australia, was launched to monitor and control water consumption in a particular area. According to the program, all non-residential establishments in this locality that consume more than 10 million liters of water a year should develop a waterMAP to reduce consumption.
Further, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandates that every business organization in Victoria that uses more than 100 million liters of water a year should develop an Environmental and Resource Efficiency Plan (EREP) to monitor and control water consumption.
Today, various governments around the world are imposing stringent regulations as well as mandating companies and organizations to develop plans and policies for efficient management of water networks.
The Global Smart Water Network Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 15 percent during the 2013-2018 period because of increased government support for smart water networks used to monitor water consumption and reduce leakages.
What is a Smart Water Network?
A smart water network is an integrated set of products, systems, and solutions that help water utilities to monitor and diagnose problems related to water distribution networks.
Smart water networks can help in leak detection, pressure management, network operation, and water quality monitoring. It can also reduce the overall capital expenditure of the water utilities by providing real-time data based on the water consumption and customer meter readings.
TechNavio analysts have pinpointed the top 3 factors driving government adoption of smart water networks:
Increasing Global Water Consumption
People in many regions around the world are affected by a shortage in water. One of the reasons that can be attributed to this demand-supply mismatch is the resulting water loss that occurs because of leakages or illegal tapping of water lines. For instance, the aging water storage infrastructure in the US causes water leakages in supply pipes, resulting in seven billion gallons of water being wasted annually. An estimated 700 water pipes, on an average, go out of service on a single day in the US. This increased water loss calls for efficient water management, which can be achieved using smart water networks.
Growing Need to Manage Water Resources
Smart water networks, through the use of smart meters, keep a record of the water usage pattern and inform consumers about their consumption level. This also helps consumers to monitor and control water usage. A pilot study was conducted recently in Palm Desert, California where residents were given smart water meters to measure their consumption pattern. During the period of study, it was noticed that residents consumed less than they had previously during peak hours and that they were also able to decrease their consumption by over 20 percent. Smart water meters helped identify this consumption pattern. Thus, smart water meters help water utility companies manage water supply according to demand.
Aging Water Distribution Infrastructure
The aging water supply infrastructure can lead to a large water loss that will significantly affect both price and water demand. To mitigate these risks, many water utilities invest in smart water networks to establish a proper communication system. A smart water network can help water utilities detect leakages in pipes, measure water consumption, and manage/monitor data related to pressure, control valves, and pumps.
