Exploring smart water solutions through global collaboration and innovation

One of the session highlights was the "Water 4.0 Maturity Model," presented by Xavier Cardeñas, Water & Wastewater Specialist at HMS Networks developed under a DVGW research project. "The Water 4.0 Maturity Model emphasizes starting with solid foundations beginning with computerization and then connectivity. Digitalization holds no value without the hardware to transmit data. Once we gather real data, we can progress to monitoring, gaining insights, and enabling predictive maintenance and machine learning processes,” Cardeñas explained. This model demonstrated a roadmap for advancing water management through digitalization and targeted technologies, supporting the industry by bridging the technological gap and providing a framework for achieving fully mature, data-driven water systems.

Veolia's goals include reducing operational expenses, avoiding additional investments, maximizing productive uptime, and achieving environmental sustainability

Ahmed Ganainy, Middle East & Turkey Digital manager at Veolia, also shared essential insights into Smart Water Management’s potential in achieving operational excellence, sustainability, and regulatory compliance. Veolia's goals, as presented by Ganainy, include reducing operational expenses, avoiding additional investments, maximizing productive uptime, and achieving environmental sustainability in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Ganainy emphasized that these objectives are achievable through a “Process + Digital” approach, blending optimized processes with digital transformation. Ganainy also addressed some pressing challenges in the water management industry, stating, "The primary challenges in adopting smart water technologies are rooted in human nature, particularly the resistance to change, and concerns around cybersecurity.”

Ganainy highlighted the transformative global support potential of Smart Water: "With smart water technology, we have access to global expertise that enables us to support water treatment plants remotely. For example, water treatment plants in Egypt receive support from our team in Germany, while those in Saudi Arabia are assisted from Sweden. This is the beauty of smart water over WhatsApp.” To tackle the complex data challenges within water management, Veolia is developing a unified platform to serve as a single source of information. This platform will utilize a data lake architecture to centralize data from multiple sites, contextualizing it into a single, configurable dashboard. The goal is to streamline decision-making and provide clearer, more relevant insights for operational management. Ganainy reinforced the collaborative approach necessary in digital transformation: “In the digital age, collaboration is key — it’s no longer about competition. At Veolia, we recognize we cannot achieve this alone, and in connectivity, our partnership with HMS is essential to our progress."

Sebastian Spielhoff, Digital Service Group leader at Envirochemie gmbh, introduced further perspectives on overcoming industrial water management challenges. Spielhoff noted that key issues like a flood of data, incident handling, compliance with stringent regulations, and a shortage of skilled operators highlight the need for streamlined digital solutions. "Envirochemie GmbH is both a solution provider and an enabler, helping elevate plant operations to the next level by transforming data into actionable information. We empower operators to handle incidents remotely, removing the need for on-site response," Spielhoff explained. He presented EnviroWater as a specialized provider for complex industrial water applications, leveraging digital transformation to enhance water and wastewater management. Their WaterExpert platform emerged as a central tool, described by Spielhoff as a "risk avoider, problem solver, and value creator."

Flood of data, incident handling, compliance with stringent regulations, and a shortage of operators highlight the need for streamlined digital solutions

The WaterExpert platform offers essential tools to support operators, including ExpertHUB for real-time operational support, RemoteHUB for remote management and assistance, and InformationHUB, which aggregates data from various sources to improve information access and analysis. Spielhoff shared a compelling case study featuring ZF, an automotive supplier. "Through our collaboration with ZF, we identified improvement opportunities within their wastewater treatment plant, integrating existing systems with innovative processes, advanced digital tools, and data analysis," he added. Envirochemie helped ZF achieve a 78% reduction in energy consumption, significantly advancing ZF’s goal of reducing CO₂ emissions, illustrating how digital solutions can drive both operational efficiency and environmental sustainability.

Xavier Cardeñas emphasized the value of smaller pilot projects, especially in water treatment plants: "Implementing smaller pilot projects is highly effective because it allows for measurable, long-term improvements. Starting with small-scale pilots enables us to test, refine, and ultimately scale these projects using standardized products." He added that HMS Networks plays a critical role in this approach: "HMS Networks is dedicated to the connectivity aspect, essential for establishing smart water solutions. While we manufacture solutions across various areas, our device, Ewon Flexy, connects seamlessly with layer-one communication devices like HMIs, supporting multiple industrial protocols and transforming raw data into valuable insights."

Central to the Water 4.0 approach is the integration of Industrial Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). Speakers delved into essential components like SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems, Master PLCs, and the extensive use of sensors. Together, these technologies support automation and real-time monitoring, delivering immediate and actionable insights to water operators. By highlighting case studies, the panel illustrated how such technologies have successfully boosted efficiency, reduced operational costs, and even helped companies meet sustainability targets.

Through real-world examples, the speakers demonstrated practical applications of Smart Water. Case studies included successful predictive maintenance strategies that reduced downtime, optimized energy use, and cut CO₂ emissions. These benefits were not merely hypothetical; they were backed by data and outcomes from actual deployments. The tangible improvements in operational transparency and efficiency encouraged attendees to consider similar applications within their organizations.

The panel also addressed significant hurdles to adopting Smart Water technologies. Implementing advanced OT systems often involves overcoming resistance to change, training gaps, and budgetary constraints. However, the overarching concern centered around cybersecurity. The rapid adoption of smart technologies makes water infrastructure more vulnerable, making it essential to comply with stringent standards like ISO/IEC 27001 for information security and IEC 62443 for industrial security. Cardeñas highlighted the relevance of the NIS2 directive, designed to reinforce cybersecurity within critical infrastructure, as an indispensable regulatory tool.

Adding further depth to the cybersecurity discussion, Maite Carli from the Industrial Cybersecurity Center (CCI) presented "Diving into Water Sector’s Cybersecurity," focusing on the unique security challenges faced across the entire water cycle. Carli emphasized, “In cybersecurity, simplicity is key. For drinking water and wastewater plants, it’s essential to keep processes straightforward, understand, protect, and continually monitor them.” Highlighting the RECIN platform, she explained how this simulation tool provides a comprehensive water cycle scenario, enabling the testing and assessment of cybersecurity vulnerabilities in a controlled environment. Carli also discussed high-impact scenarios, particularly for utilities managing the complete water cycle, and the critical need for cybersecurity protocols in drinking water treatment facilities to protect both operational and technological aspects.

Carli shared findings from a criteria-based survey conducted by CCI, stating, "We are conducting a study in Spain with water professionals specializing in cybersecurity. The first phase involves identifying potential scenarios we could face in the event of a cyberattack. In the second phase, we assess possible consequences specific to the water sector.” The survey results offered a foundation for assessing vulnerabilities and defining the cybersecurity requirements unique to water management processes, stressing the urgent need for a structured approach to mitigating risks in this critical infrastructure sector.

Another point of focus was the role of cloud platforms in Water 4.0. The integration of cloud solutions, compliant with ISO/IEC 27001, provides scalable, secure data storage and processing. Cloud adoption enables water utilities to streamline data handling, ensuring that information remains accessible yet secure, a crucial balance for infrastructure that manages such critical resources.

As the session concluded, Novo invited attendees to view Smart Water as a forward-thinking strategy, vital not only for achieving operational efficiency but also for fostering sustainable, resilient water systems. The experts underscored the importance of industrial communications, not just as an enabler for optimization but as a fundamental tool for building a digitally robust water sector. With each expert sharing a unique perspective, the webinar offered a comprehensive view of the Water 4.0 journey, inspiring attendees to imagine a future where water management is both smart and secure.

At the end of the webinar, a Q&A session allowed the audience to engage directly with the four speakers. Questions covered topics such as how Veolia manages the integration of data from multiple component vendors into its Hubgrade platform. Ganainy explained, “For each water treatment plant, we don’t require smart pumps since every plant has a PLC. The data first flows through the PLC and HMI, and we add small, highly secure devices that communicate directly with the PLC.” Spielhoff added, “Suppliers often provide their own apps, but our main goal is to give customers one app where all data is consolidated.”

An attendee inquired about software for non-revenue water. Spielhoff responded, “We currently have something in progress.” Another question asked what happens if the system loses WiFi signal. Cardeña explained that the Ewon Flexy solution has two connections: one to field devices and another to the internet. “When connecting to the internet for cloud communication, we always recommend a backup channel, such as a 4G or 5G connection, to ensure continuous connectivity,” he advised.

This webinar, packed with expertise and real-world success stories, left attendees with actionable insights and a clearer understanding of the role that Smart Water, digital integration, and robust cybersecurity will play in the water sector's digital transformation.