HOW ERP SYSTEMS ARE TRANSFORMING WATER UTILITIES

Water Utilities

Water utility systems across the nation include both drinking water and wastewater systems, which are vital for ensuring sufficient, high-quality water for sustainable development, food diversity, and the well-being of both humans and freshwater ecosystems. However, these systems face vulnerabilities such as pollution, physical attacks, and cyber threats, which can lead to health risks, economic impacts, and disruptions in essential services like healthcare and energy.

The water demand is steadily rising, driven by its essential role in various economic activities, including energy production and agriculture. Water not only powers hydroelectric plants but also plays a crucial part in the production processes of emerging energy sources like fossil fuels and shale gas.

As pressures on our water resources intensify, safeguarding these systems becomes increasingly critical. Threats to water security not only jeopardize public health but also impact sectors vital to our daily lives, such as firefighting, transportation, and food production. Addressing these challenges is essential to ensuring a sustainable future where water remains a reliable resource for generations to come.

Challenges Faced by Water Utilities

In the realm of water utilities, several challenges persist that hinder effective service delivery and resource management:

1. Operational Visibility: Water utilities often struggle with limited access to real-time operational data, impeding their ability to efficiently manage network operations. This lack of comprehensive oversight makes it difficult to monitor non-revenue water and make informed decisions about asset management.
2. Leak Management: Aging infrastructure and adverse environmental conditions pose significant challenges to detecting leaks. Traditional methods are often insufficient, leading to increased water losses and higher maintenance costs.
3. Pressure Management: Maintaining consistent water pressure throughout distribution networks is complex, especially with aging infrastructure and fluctuating demand. Inadequate pressure management can result in service disruptions and customer dissatisfaction. Inaccurate pressure management can reduce asset life, increase leakages, and increase energy expenditure due to pumping systems.
4. Smart Pumping Optimization: Energy efficiency in pumping operations is critical but challenging due to varying demand and aging infrastructure. Without optimized pumping systems, utilities face increased energy consumption and environmental impact.
5. Billing Issues: Accurate metering and transparent billing practices are crucial for financial stability and customer satisfaction. Inaccurate billing can lead to disputes and undermine trust in utility services. As per an article by Frost and Sullivan in India, the average Non-Revenue Water (NRW) stands at approximately 38%, slightly above the global range reported by the World Bank of 30% to 35%. 
6. Water Supply planning: Long-term water supply availability ranked among the top concerns identified by the AWWA.

The city of Bengaluru in India which has seen a rapid increase in population in the last 4 years, faced a water crisis for the first time in March 2024

Texas anticipates a population increase of over 70% from 29.5 million to 51 million by 2070. Municipal water demands are projected to rise from 5.2 million acre-feet annually in 2020 to 8.4 million acre-feet by 2070, as outlined in the Texas Water Development Board’s 2017 state water plan.

Addressing these challenges is essential for water utilities to enhance operational efficiency, ensure reliable service delivery, and promote sustainability in water resource management.