However, technological innovation, particularly the Internet of Things (IoT) offers solutions for the responsible and supportive use of an increasingly scarce resource.
70% of the planet is covered by oceans and water from oceans. Almost 97% of the water on Earth is salt, and only 2.5% is fresh and is distributed in groundwater, rivers, lakes and frozen water in mountain peaks and Antarctica.
But that 2.5% population growth must be accompanied by an increasing demand for water resources derived from the growth of infrastructure, cities and industrialization.
This in turn leads to higher direct consumption and an increase in food production.
The pandemic has reminded us that water is life
Other exceptional circumstances, such as the health crisis caused by Covid-19, remind the whole world that water is life. A simple gesture like washing your hands has proven to be the most effective way to prevent the spread of the virus.
However, recent estimates World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that three out of 10 people worldwide were unable to wash their hands with soap and water at home during the pandemic.
Also, the international organization together UNICEF be warned”Improvements in drinking water, sanitation and hygiene in householdsBy 2030 billions of people around the world will lack access to safely managed drinking water, sanitation and home health services.
It represents an obligation for countries with greater economic resources: to sustainably manage their water resources and help the most disadvantaged.
Take care of the water
Application for many years IoT Growing unhindered, water management has reached.
Within the infrastructure of Smart citiesThe deployment of the 5G network has allowed an increase in connectivity, using it for very different applications such as mobility or water management, very useful if we take into account that the population is increasingly concentrated in cities.
The so-called 'gentrification’ requires greater use of water resources not only for citizen consumption but also for the good maintenance of cities.
Through the use of connected irrigation systems and the management of water resources in cities, new technologies significantly help adapt water consumption to climate change (Smart water)
Intelligent resource management can achieve savings of 20%, which will allow infrastructure to be improved by investing in the installation of sensors and management and distribution equipment.
Small water footprint due to technology
In these cases, the use of technology based on large-scale connectivity prevents leakages in the water network (perhaps the function that provides the most value).
It intervenes in irrigation management through sensors and programmers, monitors the quality of drinking water, controls the quality of stagnant water from municipal fountains to public swimming pools, and controls the risk of floods and flooding in coastal or riverine cities. .
In this sense, the industry should take measures for more sustainable water management. Sectors such as the chemical industry, textiles, agri-food, livestock farms and metals-related sectors and the energy sector are already using measures to improve their consumption.
Thanks to the digitization of the industry, these activities can significantly reduce the remaining water footprint. He IoT and 5G network, bIG data o to Artificial intelligence They help reduce the amount of fresh water used in the production of consumer goods.
Enhanced IoT: Smart Metering
A commitment to water management has led to the creation of truly beneficial solutions for society. One of them Solutions progress IoT By connection Narrow IoT (NB-IoT) This allows the reading of millions of water meters to be improved and expanded.
Thanks to the solutions, this translates into the possibility of improving the water consumption of more than three million homes and industries in Spain. ’Smart Water Meter’.
Together with NB-IoT, Telefónica is developing a series of initiatives aimed at digitizing the services provided by water management companies, making them more efficient. It offers citizens economic savings and environmental concern, adapting to the new demands caused by the already mentioned population movements.
In this way, new technologies turn meters into intelligent remote reading systems that allow water managers to reduce operating costs, as well as increase end-user satisfaction, mainly due to the reduction of non-billed water.
Constant efforts
These systems, combined with advanced analytical techniques, help water managers improve their operations and processes in the comprehensive management of the water cycle, such as carrying out the correct water balance.
A clear example of this is the recent deal between Telefonica and Global Omnium. This union will allow users to detect unusual increases in consumption, for example, if there is no consumption in homes with single occupants, second homes, possible interior leaks or receive alerts on water use in closed homes such as community emergency notifications.
It is a pioneering initiative in the field that not only advances sustainability principles linked mainly to water conservation, but also seeks to reduce CO2 emissions.