bNovate Technologies collaborates with HBKU on SMART-Distribution Project to improve Qatar's Water

bNovate Technologies has announced its involvement in the SMART-Distribution project, an initiative designed to tackle key challenges in Qatar’s water distribution systems. The project aims to enhance the resilience of Qatar’s water infrastructure against climate-related risks by utilizing innovative, real-time water quality monitoring and advanced risk assessment tools.

Qatar’s water security is under increasing threat due to climate change, with limited freshwater resources and a dependence on vulnerable alternative sources like seawater desalination. The SMART-Distribution project, led by the Sustainability Division at Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU) College of Science and Engineering (CSE) in partnership with bNovate and end-user Kahramaa, seeks to bolster the resilience of the country’s drinking water systems. This includes improving both robustness and adaptability through a real-time, risk-based monitoring system that tracks water quality during storage and distribution.

Peter Desmond, Assistant Professor at CSE, commented on the significance of the project: “The SMART-Distribution project represents a critical step forward in ensuring the resilience of Qatar’s water infrastructure. By leveraging state-of-the-art technologies and collaborative innovation, we address current challenges and pave the way for sustainable water security in the face of climate change.”

The project will assess the climate resilience of Qatar’s water distribution networks using a comprehensive resilience and risk assessment framework

The project will assess the climate resilience of Qatar’s water distribution networks using a comprehensive resilience and risk assessment framework. It will also establish a real-time monitoring network via a mobile platform and evaluate water quality variations in both controlled environments and real-world conditions at Qatar Foundation’s Education City, which will function as a Living Lab.

Luigino Grasso, Chief Technology Officer at bNovate, emphasized the company’s contribution to the project: “bNovate is thrilled to contribute our expertise in microbial water quality monitoring to this transformative project. Our advanced flow cytometry technology will be key in understanding microbial regrowth potential and biofilm development, enabling smarter, data-driven decisions to safeguard Qatar’s water supply. This collaboration underscores our commitment to delivering market-led innovations that address real-world challenges.”

The SMART-Distribution project supports Qatar’s National Water Management Plan 2030, ensuring reliable water security in the face of emerging climate challenges. By fostering collaboration between HBKU, bNovate, and Kahramaa, the project follows a cyclic innovation approach to generate practical, user-focused solutions.