The year 2024 was nothing short of transformative for the smart water sector. As the SWAN India Project Manager, I closely tracked both global and local advancements to understand how they align with India’s unique challenges and opportunities. Let’s take a look back at some of the key trends, partnerships, and innovations that defined 2024, offering a strategic perspective for leaders invested in the future of resilient water management.
1. Digital Transformation with AI and Digital Twins
Imagine a city where water pipes communicate, leaks are detected before they wreak havoc, and the entire water network has a digital twin—a living, breathing simulation that keeps things flowing smoothly. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital twins, once mere buzzwords, have revolutionised water management, enabling systems to predict issues and optimise operations.
Take Northumbrian Water in the UK, for instance. Its £20 million smart sewer project with HydroDigital led to an 80% reduction in storm overflow spills through AI integration. Meanwhile, Siemens’ Water Quality Analytics as a Service (WQAaaS) leveraged sensors and cloud-based analytics to enhance water quality and reduce risks like bacterial growth, aiming to enhance water management and meet rising customer expectations.
Here in India, the Jal Jeevan Mission leveraged IoT platforms and digital twins to expand rural tap water coverage from 17% in 2019 to nearly 78% in 2024. Despite these advancements, scaling such solutions in urban areas with deteriorating infrastructure remains a critical challenge.
2. Prioritising Net-Zero Initiatives
Efforts to minimise water losses and reduce carbon footprints gained traction worldwide. Utilities and industries deployed innovative technologies to enhance efficiency and sustainability.
For instance, South West Water in the UK rolled out 6,000 LeakBot devices, cutting domestic leaks by 60%. Meanwhile, Scottish Water reduced energy consumption by up to 60% at 200 pumping stations by using smart pumps, along with achieving a 99% reduction in unplanned maintenance. The initiative also lowered overall energy use by 40% and provided better operational control across the network. Closer to home, the Nashik Municipal Corporation tackled a 35–40% non-revenue water loss by introducing 25,000 smart meters and SCADA sensors, reclaiming 141 million litres of water daily—a significant step for cities combating water wastage. The Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) 2.0 further championed smart water metering across over 500 cities nationwide, pushing the boundaries of water-use efficiency.
Industry leaders like Grundfos introduced Metasphere smart sensors to tackle combined sewer overflows and enhance leak detection. This innovation, born from their acquisition of Metasphere, integrated advanced analytics with pumping technology, paving the way for climate-resilient water networks.
3. Partnerships Enabling Technology Deployment
Teamwork truly makes the dream work. Strategic partnerships were at the heart of many breakthroughs in 2024, bridging the gap between technology providers, utilities, and industries.
In Spain, Microsoft and Aganova collaborated with Mancomunidad de Aguas del Sorbe (MAS) to harness AI for leak detection in water mains, reinforcing Microsoft’s commitment to becoming water-positive by 2030. In India, FluxGen Sustainable Technologies partnered with Microsoft to reduce water consumption by half in two Bangalore hospitals, a feat that earned them the Microsoft Entrepreneurs for Positive Impact Cup. Such collaborations highlight the power of collective action in solving water challenges.
4. Regional Nuances: Addressing Local Challenges
Emerging regions adopted technology to address basic water access challenges, while developed markets focused on advanced solutions like cybersecurity and IoT.
Consider Namibia’s NamWater initiative, which employed digital tools to improve access in underserved areas. Similarly, the Philippines leveraged Ovarro’s remote correlating loggers to detect leaks, saving millions of litres of water and delaying the need for a new well. These examples hold valuable lessons for cities like Chennai and Kolkata, where water losses and infrastructure decay demand urgent attention.
5. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Modernisation
As water systems become increasingly digital, cybersecurity emerged as a critical priority in 2024. Past incidents highlight the sector’s vulnerability: ransomware attacks in North Carolina (2018), a hacker manipulating disinfectant levels in Kansas (2019), and remote access breaches in Oldsmar, Florida (2021). These incidents underscore the need for robust security frameworks. In response, the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) launched a pilot project via the National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE) to address common vulnerabilities. The project focuses on asset management, data integrity, remote access, and network segmentation, offering practical solutions for utilities to enhance security. In the UK, Anglian Water implemented a co-managed Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system, combining threat intelligence and intrusion prevention. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) also introduced stricter security standards for the sector.
In India, the Ministry of Jal Shakti’s National Water Informatics Centre emphasised the importance of secure data management systems to protect the country’s rapidly digitising water infrastructure. However, awareness and funding for cybersecurity measures need significant improvement to keep pace with rapid digital adoption.
6. Funding Trends and Investment in Innovation
The funding landscape for smart water technology told an equally exciting story in 2024. Investments poured into smart water technology, with notable funding rounds for companies like Kando ($10 million), Subeca ($6 million), VAPAR ($5 million), TeamSolve ($2.5 million), Fluid Analytics ($1.6 million), and FIDO Tech (undisclosed). Strategic acquisitions, such as ABB’s purchase of Real Tech and Xylem’s majority stake in Idrica, reinforced confidence in the sector’s growth. These investments were not just financial—they represented a belief in innovation’s ability to tackle global water challenges.
Looking Ahead: Opportunities for India
As we step into 2025, key themes in the smart water sector are expected to gain momentum, including energy efficiency, leak reduction, and digital transformation. The use of smart pumps, meters, and advanced analytics will play a crucial role in improving operational performance and lowering energy consumption. Partnerships between utilities and technology providers will likely drive further deployment of scalable solutions. Cybersecurity will also remain a priority as water systems become increasingly digitised.
For India, the path forward involves scaling technology adoption, strengthening partnerships, and addressing urban infrastructure challenges. The SWAN India Alliance is committed to driving this change by facilitating knowledge exchange and innovation, helping to accelerate the adoption of smart water solutions tailored to India’s needs.
This is an exciting time for the smart water sector, and there’s so much more to come. Join us at SWAN to contribute to this evolving journey of collaboration and innovation.
