What is the main focus of your Expert Group?
The expert group focuses on exploring emerging digital technologies, such as sensors, the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain and their practical applications across the water sector. This includes innovations in water treatment, distribution systems, quality monitoring, and overall water management. In addition to identifying technological advancements, the group also addresses the key challenges and opportunities associated with the development and implementation of these digital solutions, aiming to accelerate the digital transformation of the water sector.
What are the opportunities and challenges in your field that the Expert group is addressing?
The expert group recognizes a significant gap between the development of digital technologies and their effective application in real-world water management. This gap presents a valuable opportunity to advance research and innovation in digital water solutions—such as IoT sensors, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and advanced sensing technologies—to address complex challenges throughout the entire water cycle.
Key challenges include:
• Fostering the integration of physical and digital infrastructure to deliver cohesive, data-driven solutions.
• Ensuring interoperability and identifying synergies among various digital water technologies and platforms to enhance the efficiency and optimization of water systems.
• Promoting the exchange and dissemination of best practices to drive innovation, support collaboration, and ensure sustainable water management.
How does your Expert Group plan to achieve its goals, and how will it contribute to Water Europe’s Vision of a Water-Smart Society?
The Expert Group will actively produce expert opinions, research papers, and technical reports focused on emerging digital water technologies and their applications across the entire water cycle. It will also organize workshops and webinars to showcase cutting-edge solutions, foster knowledge exchange, and strengthen collaboration among technology providers, utilities, and key stakeholders. Additionally, the group will work closely with the Digital Water Systems Management Expert Group to explore opportunities for integrated solutions, with a strong emphasis on interoperability and innovation systems management. Through these activities, the group aims to accelerate the digital transformation of the water sector, enabling more sustainable, efficient, and resilient water management practices
