by Andrew Green
When it comes to running and operating utilities, it is no secret that the respective industries are moving forward, digitally. We constantly see the drivers of success being tied back to digital outcomes and solutions in order to achieve them. The National Association of Clean Water Agencies published eight key drivers in a white paper entitled, “Envisioning The Digital Utility Of The Future.” These drivers are as follows:
1. Reducing Operational Costs
2. Managing and Mitigating Risks
3. Enhancing the Customer Experience
4. Improving Financial Execution
5. Optimizing Asset Performance and Uncovering Hidden Value
6. Leveraging Existing Communication and Computing Platforms
7. Maximizing the Engagement and Efficiency of Employees
8. Integrating Water Quality, Policy and Performance
Given the world we live in today, most readers of this article may already be thinking of ways that technology has worked to improve performance on these drivers in thewater and wastewater industries. From wireless communication to SCADA systems to project approaches via alternative delivery, the clean water industry is making leaps and bounds towards better performance in these drivers through the use of digital tools.
In terms of how these tools can go about accomplishing hard-to-reach drivers like these, the Water Research Foundation summarized very well in their white paper, “Intelligent Water Systems: The Path to a Smart Utility” with the following 10 topics:
1. Data prioritization
2. Data governance
3. Data capture
4. Data validation
5. Data processing, storage, and access
6. Data integration
7. Data analytic
8. Business intelligence and decision support
9. Knowledge sharing
10. Performance reporting and visualization
Ultimately, problem solvers are only as good as the solutions they bring to the table. Performing well as a utility in any industry can be a difficult undertaking. But the digital swing and how utilities are using data to make better business decisions will go a long way in shaping the utility of the future.