Print Edition 25: Predict, Prevent, Optimize: The Digital Future of Water

We are pleased to announce the release of the March 2025 issue of Smart Water Magazine Print Edition, where we delve into the latest innovations, policies, and investments shaping the global water sector.

The cover story features an exclusive interview with Keith Muller, Senior Director of Water Lifecycle Product Management and Engineering at Autodesk. He discusses how digital transformation is reshaping water management, with AI-driven predictive maintenance, stormwater modelling, and cloud-based solutions optimizing resilience and efficiency in infrastructure.

This edition also includes a discussion from SWM’s roundtable on energy efficiency in desalination, where experts explored how energy efficiency, digital tools, and resource recovery are driving innovation in the sector. In addition, David Escobar examines the evolution of desalination, its growing integration with renewable energy, and how digitalization is enhancing sustainability.

Almar Water Solutions is developing smart desalination and water treatment projects, ensuring reliable water supply for industries and agriculture worldwide while promoting sustainability and efficiency. Meanwhile, on the technology front, this edition highlights WEG’s latest high-efficiency motors, which are cutting energy use and emissions in desalination and water treatment plants.

Focusing on business, Saurabh Singh explores private equity’s expanding role in the water sector, discussing key players, investments and strategic exits. In addition, several industry leaders provide exclusive insights in this issue’s interviews. Geir Norden and Jaran Wood of Filtralite discuss how high-porosity filtration media enhances water treatment efficiency while reducing energy and carbon footprints. Professor Menachem Elimelech of Rice University shares advancements in membrane technologies, particularly in boron removal and low-salt-rejection reverse osmosis. Hans Goossens, President of Water Europe, emphasizes the need for policy innovation, digital water technologies, and cross-sector collaboration to build a resilient water future.

Turning to the UK, Mike Keil, CEO of the Consumer Council for Water (CCW), addresses rising water bills, the case for a single social tariff, and the urgent need for transparency to rebuild public trust in the water sector. Moreover, Tom Sommerfelt of SES Water explores the role of clear, compelling communication in influencing public behaviour and rebuilding confidence in utilities.

World Water Day, on March 22nd, takes centre stage with a critical focus on the accelerating retreat of glaciers and its impact on global freshwater security, highlighting the urgent need for climate resilience and adaptation strategies.

The issue also features further opinion pieces, including by Keith Hays of Bluefield Research, who analyses the growing business value of water, and Rashi Gupta of Carollo Engineers, who examines the U.S. EPA’s recent draft risk assessment for PFOA and PFOS in biosolids and its impact on utilities.

Bringing together cutting-edge technology, transformative policies, and expert perspectives, this issue of Smart Water Magazine Print Edition provides a comprehensive look at the forces shaping the future of global water management.

Features

SWM Roundtable – Experts explore energy efficiency, digital tools, and resource recovery as key innovations shaping the next era of desalination.

Almar Water Solutions develops smart desalination and treatment projects to secure water for industries and agriculture worldwide.

WEG’s high-efficiency motors cut energy use and emissions, driving sustainability in desalination and water treatment plants.

Private equity shapes water: KKR, Bain, and Blackstone lead water investments, scaling infrastructure, driving sustainability, and executing high-value exits.

World Water Day 2025 highlights how rapid glacier retreat threatens global freshwater availability and accelerates climate risks.

Interviews

Interview with Keith Muller, Sr. Director, Water Lifecycle Product Management and Engineering, Autodesk

The water sector faces challenges like aging infrastructure, climate change, and resource scarcity, straining utilities and water systems
Digital tools provide real-time data, enabling predictive maintenance and better decision-making to improve efficiency and resilience
AI-enabled modeling tools help utilities visualize stormwater systems, predicting and preparing for extreme weather events effectively
Moving to the cloud optimizes assets, fosters collaboration, and reduces computational burdens on local systems, improving efficiency
Sustainability means designing systems that efficiently use resources, reduce environmental impact, and remain reliable long-term
Autodesk’s approach enhances efficiency, reduces environmental impact, and ensures infrastructure adapts to changing conditions effectively
Environmental considerations in planning help utilities modernize infrastructure while minimizing ecological impact and improving efficiency
AI is transforming water management by combining rainfall forecasts, IoT sensors, and infrastructure models into a unified system
AI-enabled systems predict water level changes using real-time rainfall data and modeled capacity, allowing proactive responses
Future-proofing operations requires cloud-connected tools to simulate scenarios, identify vulnerabilities, and implement preventative measures

Interview with Geir Norden, R&D specialist at Filtralite, and Jaran Wood, Environmental Manager at Filtralite

Filtralite’s high porosity and specific surface area enhance filtration efficiency, enabling it to capture more contaminants than sand
In terms of OPEX, Filtralite reduces energy consumption due to its efficient filtration properties, which require less energy for backwashing
From a CAPEX perspective, Filtralite leads to cost savings by requiring smaller pumps and other equipment, lowering capital investment costs
Filtralite, with its lighter weight, helps reduce transport-related emissions and is a more sustainable resource than sand
While Filtralite may have a higher initial carbon footprint than sand due to its production process, the longer lifespan compensates for this
Filtralite results in lower CO₂emissions in the mid-term, as it reduces both operational and material-related impacts over time
Better performance, like Filtralite's high filtration efficiency, can translate into environmental benefits that include reduced chemical usage
When you upgrade from sand to Filtralite, the transition is straightforward and has direct advantages like improved filtration efficiency

Interview with Professor Menachem Elimelech, Nancy and Clint Carlson Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Rice University

There is an effort to displace thermal technologies for brine management with membrane-based technologies; these remain at the pilot scale
Boron removal is a significant challenge in desalination due to its small molecular size and neutral charge at typical seawater pH levels
Conventional RO membranes are designed to remove charged ions and larger molecules, but boron can pass through these membranes more easily
We leveraged bipolar membrane and boron-selective functional groups that introduce pH swing in our system, transferring boric acid to borate
It is important to recognize that water moves through membrane pores via viscous flow, rather than by diffusing as individual molecules
Future membrane development should focus on optimizing pore connectivity and membrane-permeant interactions to enhance water flow
We are expanding our work on the fabrication of specialized desalination membranes for LSRRO and ultrahigh-pressure operation
We have established the Rice Center for Membrane Excellence (RiCeME) to advance next-generation membrane materials and separation technologies

Interview with Hans Goossens, CEO of De Watergroep and President of Water Europe

Water Europe emphasizes a holistic approach that integrates technological innovation, policy development, and community engagement
The appointment of Commissioner Roswall marks a very important step forward in elevating water resilience as a strategic priority for Europe
Building a Water-Smart Society requires strong cross-sector collaboration, and we foster this through our events and collaboration programme
Water Europe advocates for policies that encourage corporate investment in water-efficient technologies and circular economy practices
Our study calls for €255 billion in investments by 2030 for water management and infrastructure, supporting the growth of key industries
Digital water technologies can transform water governance in Europe by enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and resilience
Advanced membrane filtration, new sensor technologies and decentralized treatment have enabled safer and more efficient water recovery
As the Water Resilience Strategy takes shape and water is recognized as a key driver of Europe's competitiveness, the outlook is promising

Interview with Mike Keil, Chief Executive, Consumer Council for Water

CCW is a statutory body, and a core function of our work is providing advice and information to people on the services they receive
We bring about change through campaigning or directly influencing policymakers and decision-makers across the sector and within the government
Ending water poverty has been one of our strategic priorities right since we published our Independent Review of Water Affordability
The case for a single social tariff has never been more pressing or compelling given the unprecedented increases to water bills
Our research shows there is broad customer support for the investment plans that water bill increases will help to fund
Only half of customers think their water company is good at communicating. This has to change if we’re going to turn the tide of public opinion
Water companies need to think carefully about whether each decision they make or action they take will build customer trust or erode it
Water companies need to read the room and understand the strength of public anger and upset over their environmental performance
The latest price settlement will unlock unprecedented levels of investment and the opportunity to end the harm caused by storm overflows
People want to see senior bosses taking ownership and being accountable and that means being visible during times of public concern
There is tremendous scope for digital technologies to improve customers’ experiences, particularly within affordability and vulnerability
CCW’s campaigns are helping customers make the connection between their water use and the effect it has on the water environment