In an Expert Focus article for Waterbriefing, Geoff Keam, principal engineer, Atkins, discusses how developing and using the latest digital analytical tools will increasingly become an essential part of the work that takes place in the industry.

Geoff Keam: For at least the last decade, new digital approaches have changed the way that businesses are now operating, and as we start to think about AMP7, you can really start to feel the pace of change in the water industry accelerating too.

The water industry faces a range of future challenges including improved resilience; changing customer expectations; and the increased focus on OFWAT outcomes - which has meant that controlling the direction of this digital change is becoming increasingly important if we are to deliver the best levels of service for water customers.

The use of data analytics platforms is most definitely part of this digital ‘wave’. For me, developing and using the latest digital analytical tools - ensuring that we have the ability to make informed decisions from the vast and complex datasets that the industries hold – will increasingly become an essential part of the work that takes place in the industry.

Hydraulic network models are one example where we’ve seen constant improvements in performance over the years due to the pace of digital change. These models are used to dynamically simulate the expected performance of a water/ wastewater system for a range of future scenarios allowing for future network investments to be optimised; operational incidents to be managed more effectively; and the risk of network and environmental incidents to be understood and mitigated safely before the customer is impacted. 

However, the capability of these models relies on accurately simulating the historical performance of the networks key assets whether this be flow rates and pressures at pumping stations; bulk flow meters; or reservoir operating levels. Usually this relies on accurate data being captured from the monitoring equipment that water companies already have installed at these key sites.

What I think the water industry (as well as many other sectors) needs to be mindful of is that as the investment in digital innovation and products accelerates, is that we don’t leave behind investment at the front end of the process i.e. in how the data is captured. 

Essentially, we need to ensure that the data that goes into these technologies is robust, resulting in the most accurate and thus powerful output possible. As engineers, we all know that where data is not available we often need to make intellectual assumptions, but we can’t let this become the norm.

There is no doubt that technology will reap huge rewards for the industry and its customers, but it is about a balance.  By getting the balance right between data assurance and improved data analytics, we will ensure that we fully maximise the potential of digital innovations and in doing so, that customers experience the highest level of service from water providers.