IWRA Webinar N° 60

Smart water technologies can be integrated into existing water management systems to improve water conservation, reduce costs, and enhance sustainability. Even when advancements are put in place, the adoption of technologies still faces various challenges; for instance, high costs, and technical and operational capacities, among others.

This webinar presented fours cases that illustrated the use of smart water management techniques in smart water metering, wastewater membrane technology, circular economy for water reuse and recovery, and current practices of smart and intelligent water supply in the USA, Pakistan, and globally

The webinar was moderated by Kareem Kola (Chair at IWRA´s Smart Water Management Task Force) who started the session by highlighting the relevance of the use of technologies to give a better and sustainable use to water resources for a sustainable development where no one is left behind.

As part of the panel, Almoatasem Alaufi (IWRI), introduced the use of Reverse Osmosis (RO) membranes in wastewater treatment used for the agricultural and industrial sector. Mr. Almoatasem also highlighted the high value of using RO technology as best method to provide with quality water to people and to the aforementioned sectors. As part of his presentation, the cycle of water treatment as well as the limitations for its use were showcased.

Moreover, Neil Grigg (Colorado State University), presented current practices of intelligent water supply systems in the USA. Mr. Grigg´s presentation provided a broad context of the Intelligent Water Supply definition as well as Smart City Models in which the use of software is key to assess water use and loss. To add, this presentation also explored current and future limitations that could potentially take place in the development of smart cities that use technologies for sustainable use of water resources.

In addition, Dahlia Sabri (IWRA), introduced current practices of sustainable water management in the circular economy context. Ms. Dahlia´s presentation provided a broad context of the current world´s status of water use and management. It also provided an overview of the advantages of smart cities using closed systems in which water is reused for various purposes. Towards the end of this presentation, remaining gaps for cities to become efficient in its water use are presented from different approaches, such as from the policy, technical and organizational level.

Furthermore, Nusrat Yaqoob (University of Karachi), presented a case study of a systematic analysis of smart water metering applied to Karachi. Ms. Yaqoob´s presentation provided a contextual exploration and highlighted the relevance of smart water metering for water governance in the largest Pakistani city. Towards the end, this presentation displayed the various expected outcomes –for different sectors- that the adoption of smart water management technology could bring to the city and the country.

The webinar attendees came from various geographies of the globe, especially from Asia, Africa and Europe. Likewise, they came from a diverse range of organisations (mainly academia, NGOs and public sector). Both genders were equally represented, ages varied from 21 to 71 years old, with a predominant age group of 35-45 years old.