The Smart Water Management Market is expected to register a CAGR of 13.89% during the forecast period.
Key Highlights
- Smart water management (SWM) uses information and communication technology (ICT) and real-time data and responses, which is an integral part of the solution for water management challenges. The potential application of smart systems in water management is vast and includes solutions for water quality, water quantity, efficient irrigation, leaks, pressure and flow, floods, droughts, and more.
- Smart data-driven methods for detecting water losses in public networks are becoming popular. Such solutions are based on applying the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques. In the State of Palestine, the UNDP/PAPP's Accelerator Lab partnered with a promising start-up company, FlowLess, to test a locally developed and cost-efficient smart system for detecting water losses using IoT and AI, supported by a customized web platform.
- Water infrastructure costs need to be assessed across the full water cycle and for all its major uses. As 2030 approaches, the costs of operating a new infrastructure built may exceed the annual capital cost requirements to meet those remaining unserved. When coupled with increased billing accuracy, the short-term issues in investing in smart water metering highlight a higher initial capital outlay. Traditional water management users are reluctant to switch to newer and advanced methods. The high initial cost of infrastructure and training prevails in most developing nations, hindering the market's growth.
- Post-COVID-19 pandemic, European countries focused on investing in water loss solutions. The European Union has invested in research and innovation to support a smooth transition. 79% of citizens agree that tackling climate change may lead to innovation that may make European companies more competitive, and 70% agree that water-based activity may positively affect citizens.
Smart Water Management Market Trends
Growing Need for Water Management to Drive the Market
- According to UN-Water, by 2025, 1.8 billion people may live in countries or regions with absolute water scarcity. Developing countries are most affected by flooding, water shortages, and poor water quality. Countries are working toward the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for sustainable development goals. Water targets are included across the 17 sustainable development Goals.
- According to the World Water Council, nearly four billion people are expected to face water stress by 2025. Contaminated drinking water poses a significant threat to public health, and failing dams and outdated water infrastructure also harm people. Long-lasting droughts and failing water distribution systems constitute another set of challenges to the water supply. Outdated water asset management, in such cases, restricts efficiency and puts people's lives at risk.
- With the scarcity of fresh water globally, governing bodies have made water management policies a priority agenda. The United Nations defines basic water access as having an improved water source within a 30-minute collection time. Recently, water conservation has been promoted to its sustainable development goals.
- Moreover, in November 2022, the Manitoba government announced the launch of a new water management strategy to drive future decisions, actions, and investments to safeguard the province's water ecosystems and resources while sustainably developing the economy and communities.
- The rising need for household water consumption further drives the need for smart water management solutions. For instance, metered consumers in England and Wales utilized an average of 135 liters per person daily compared to 173 liters per day for non-metered consumers.
Asia-Pacific is Expected to Register the Fastest Growth
- Asia-Pacific is home to more than 2.1 billion urban residents, with over two-thirds estimated to live in cities by 2050. The region comprises countries with substantial non-revenue water (NRW) losses, like India (with almost 60% of revenue losses from the total water distributed) and Singapore. Such figures signify the need for water management and indicate the potential for market growth in the region.
- The region is also witnessing demand for IoT platforms due to the growing number of connected devices and the adoption of IoT technologies for water management. For instance, Agua Water Systems, an Indian start-up, enables water usage monitoring with the help of smart solutions. The plug-and-play system utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze water usage, measure the water level in the pump, and control water distribution. Several smart wireless devices, such as motor controllers, ultrasonic sensors, and flow sensors, are used in the process.
- Consumers are upgrading their residences by adopting smart water management software and hardware. This adoption rate is rapidly increasing as software and hardware are becoming cheaper and more affordable.
- Digitization, along with the adoption of connected technologies in developing nations, is impacting all applications of solutions for smart water management by revolutionizing the way the systems for smart water management interact with the surroundings in the residential sector.
- The government in the region is launching innovative water management solutions. For instance, in March 2022, Karnataka IT Minister C N Ashwath Narayan launched India's first digital water data bank, 'AQVERIUM,' formed by AquaKraft Group Ventures. The minister said this innovation combines sustainable and green technologies, information technology, skill development, and entrepreneurship.
Smart Water Management Industry Overview
The Smart Water Management Market studied comprises several global players and emerging new players vying for attention in a fairly-contested market space. The firm concentration ratio is expected to grow more during the forecast period because several firms consider this market a lucrative opportunity to consolidate their offerings. Various companies are launching new and advanced products in the market.
In May 2023, Lumus Technology (Houston) announced its agreement with Siemens Energy to acquire assets from its water solutions portfolio, including intellectual property and trade secrets, copyrights, and research and development properties.
In April 2023, ABB announced to invest approximately USD 170 million in the United States, creating highly skilled jobs in innovation, manufacturing, and distribution operations. The company is committed to growing in the states by investing in its electrification and automation businesses that meet increased demand from end-user industries.
In April 2022, Suez Group announced the launch of AssetAdvanced, a decision-support platform. The deployment of this platform will enable water service and sanitation managers to not only expand their knowledge of current assets but also reduce risks and cost overruns from infrastructure failures, allowing them to make informed decisions on future investments.
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