**ICT for Water Efficiency**

Philippe Gourbesville

*Nice Sophia Antipolis University / Polytech Nice Sophia, France* 

#### **1. Introduction**

22 Will-be-set-by-IN-TECH

410 Environmental Monitoring

Authors would like to thank the following people and organizations, for their competence and their data: River Basin Consortium of the "Po" River, Civil Protection of Emilia-Romagna Region, Drainage Consortium of the Western Romagna, Marconi Labs, Dab, Misa, Eltel4,

URL: *http://www.lepida.it/lepida-per-attivita/servizi/autenticazione-federata-federa*

Taddia, C., Nanni, S. & Mazzini, G. (2009). Technology integration for the services offered by

Taddia, C., Salbaroli, E., Benetti, E. & Mazzini, G. (2010). Centralized management of data

the public administrations, *IARIA Neutral, Cannes, France* .

collection over hybrid networks, *IEEE ACCESS, Valencia, Spain* .

IEIIT-CNR Bologna, IConsulting, MEEO.

URL: *http://www.arpa.emr.it*

URL: *www.lepida.it*

URL: *http://www.openlivinglabs.eu/*

URL: *http://www.bonificalugo.it*

**8. References** *ARPA* (2011).

*ENoLL* (2011).

*fedERa* (2011).

*Lugo* (2011).

*Lepida SpA* (2011).

Global change poses unprecedented threats to society through impacts on both the natural environment and engineered infrastructure. Specifically, growing global population requires urban and infrastructure development at the same time as global warming demands massive investment in measures for both adaptation to future climate and mitigation through reduced emissions. The water sector is at the heart of this 21st century challenge, and the need of the hour is to have a major revision of our approaches and implementation of technology for the management of water resources, flood risk and pollution.

As mentioned recently by the Water Supply and Sanitation Technology Platform (2005) – WSSTP - representing all the European water sector actors, "water supply, storm-water drainage, wastewater collection and treatment, as well as quality and quantity management of natural water resources need to be efficiently secured or, where necessary, improved. Only through a paradigm shift from fragmented towards integrated urban water management economic development, social balance and ecological integrity can be secured. [...] During the last three decades the European water industry has built up a great competitive strength based on innovative supply and sanitation concepts, technology, knowledge and skills; availability of financial resources; wide experience in many industrial sectors; close cooperation with European R&D organisations and universities, including active involvement in R&D projects in the various European Union R&D Framework Programmes; expanding markets in the European Union and outside; European Union policy on sustainability, environment and energy; a broad spectrum of efficient governmental structures, tailored to specific local needs. The three largest companies providing water supply and sanitation services in the world are European. In addition, a large number of European Small & Medium Enterprise's (SME's) export their expertise and equipment across the world. Several European firms and institutes have prominent positions in the open market for major water and sanitation studies and implementations. The European water sector is a major economic player - 1% of GDP - with a turnover in the European Union of about 80 billion Euro and an average growth rate of 5% per year, compared to 2.5% per year average growth rate for the European Union economy."

The diagnostic provided by the profession at the European level and with the support of the WSSTP mentions that sustainable approaches for the development of water projects are needed to deliver social, economic and environmental benefits. These demands are pressing issues in the new European Member States, and in developed and developing countries outside Europe. Technologies need to be properly integrated with social, economic and

ICT for Water Efficiency 413

Key concerns are the impact of climate change and the inefficient use (or over-use) of natural resources, such as drinking water and energy supplies. However, in order to achieve these objectives, the European Commission focuses its efforts on several specific areas such as Energy Efficient Buildings, Smart Electricity Grids and Smart Metering, Freight, Logistic and Transport, Greener ICT, Water Management. In this last domain, the European Union wishes to recognize the added value of ICT solutions and to support their implementation in the water domain by elaborating, validating and disseminating recommendations, guidelines and specifications on specific technologies and uses. This strategy is duplicated at the international level with the priorities of the National Science Foundation (NSF) in USA

If the diagnostic is now shared globally, it request coordinated efforts in order to implement the various ICT solution into the water sector. This sector is complex and requires a careful analysis able to underline needs and to identify the added value provided by ICT solutions

Obviously, in the coming years the new technologies from the IT sector will affect the full water cycle and the management of the water related services. This process represents a major challenge for the 21st century. However, the impact of these new technologies – from sensors to Decision Support Systems - could be stronger and really significant if priorities are properly defined and implemented within the R&D strategies. The main driver of the strategy has to be to achieve a comprehensive architecture of an Information System (IS) dedicated to water uses and connected to others systems involved in human

By definition, Information systems are implemented within an organization for the purpose of improving the effectiveness and efficiency of that organization (Silver, 1995). Capabilities of the IS and characteristics of the organization, its work systems, its people, and its development and implementation methodologies together determine the extent to which that purpose is achieved. The IS is associated to an architecture which provides a formal definition of the business processes and rules, systems structure, technical framework, and

product technologies for a business or organizational information system.

2 - Invariant activities identification

1 - Water domains identification

Fig. 1. General methodology for development of ICT solutions in the water sector.

3 - Business processes description & analysis

In order to elaborate a specific IS for the management of the water cycle, a methodology is needed for identifying priorities and strategic investments to do in the ICT domain. The

4 - Identification of needs in ICT solutions

and the Green Growth project developed in South Korea.

according to a realistic roadmap for implementation.

**2. Methodology for assessing priorities** 

activities.

Water cycle

organisational measures. Until now a sectoral approach in water resources management has been dominating and is still prevailing. Many actors are not fully integrated, and many stakeholders remain uninvolved. This has led to fragmented and un-coordinated implementation of policies and technologies, and often leads to inefficient or even unsustainable solutions. To achieve sustainability, Europe, as all countries, has to apply an integrated and participatory approach for water resource management. The water industry is too slow in studying and eventually adopting new technologies. The World Water Council (2009) states: "Without major technological innovations there is little hope of bringing the water equation into balance. There is no doubt that many technological changes can help improve services for millions and reduce the stress on water systems around the world."

To remain in the forefront of this competitive business, innovative skills are essential. The knowledge and experience in water supply and sanitation that is available for example in Europe is dispersed across a large number of small utilities and enterprises. Although not directly visible to the outside world, a considerable body of knowledge has been developed in designing and optimising water infrastructure and management systems over the past 150 years. This diversity of solutions adapted to local conditions in Europe is quite valuable assets in the world market. The energies of all actors in the sector must be combined to merge the dispersed knowledge and expertise and use it to enhance the competitiveness of the water sector.

The challenges faced by the water sector in Europe and worldwide are serious and welldocumented. Future water shortages require immediate action on development of resources, reduction of demand and higher efficiency in treatment and transmission. Future flood risk management requires immediate action in risk assessment, defence and alleviation systems, forecasting and warning systems and institutional and governance measures. Such development requires considerable investment in research from governments and large corporations and this is now becoming apparent in many countries. The challenge is made even more difficult, however, by the requirement for solutions to be sustainable and moving towards a "low carbon economy" which are also increasingly being stipulated by government and European Union Directives. For example, the drive for higher reliability in water resource is therefore accompanied by a drive for reductions in cost, emissions, ecological and environmental impacts.

Technology has been revolutionised over recent years and now, matured with mass production allowing wider uptake of methods and devices (Gourbesville, 2009). After the development phase, technology is now entering an application and implementation phase which is targeting several fields including environment. A relevant example is given by the European Union who has defined a major priority for the next 20 years on "ICT for sustainable growth" with the ambition to lead innovation at the worldwide scale. In such context, ICT refers to technologies that provide access to information through telecommunications. It is similar to Information Technology (IT), but focuses primarily on communication technologies. This includes the Internet, wireless networks, cell phones, and other communication mediums. As defined by the European Commission, improving the quality of life should not damage the environment for future generations. Achieving sustainable growth requires better management of all natural resources, from energy to water and ICT - Information and Communication Technologies - can enable this far more efficiently (Holz, 2004), so improving environmental protection without holding back economic development.

organisational measures. Until now a sectoral approach in water resources management has been dominating and is still prevailing. Many actors are not fully integrated, and many stakeholders remain uninvolved. This has led to fragmented and un-coordinated implementation of policies and technologies, and often leads to inefficient or even unsustainable solutions. To achieve sustainability, Europe, as all countries, has to apply an integrated and participatory approach for water resource management. The water industry is too slow in studying and eventually adopting new technologies. The World Water Council (2009) states: "Without major technological innovations there is little hope of bringing the water equation into balance. There is no doubt that many technological changes can help improve services for millions and reduce the stress on water systems around the

To remain in the forefront of this competitive business, innovative skills are essential. The knowledge and experience in water supply and sanitation that is available for example in Europe is dispersed across a large number of small utilities and enterprises. Although not directly visible to the outside world, a considerable body of knowledge has been developed in designing and optimising water infrastructure and management systems over the past 150 years. This diversity of solutions adapted to local conditions in Europe is quite valuable assets in the world market. The energies of all actors in the sector must be combined to merge the dispersed knowledge and expertise and use it to enhance the competitiveness of

The challenges faced by the water sector in Europe and worldwide are serious and welldocumented. Future water shortages require immediate action on development of resources, reduction of demand and higher efficiency in treatment and transmission. Future flood risk management requires immediate action in risk assessment, defence and alleviation systems, forecasting and warning systems and institutional and governance measures. Such development requires considerable investment in research from governments and large corporations and this is now becoming apparent in many countries. The challenge is made even more difficult, however, by the requirement for solutions to be sustainable and moving towards a "low carbon economy" which are also increasingly being stipulated by government and European Union Directives. For example, the drive for higher reliability in water resource is therefore accompanied by a drive for reductions in cost,

Technology has been revolutionised over recent years and now, matured with mass production allowing wider uptake of methods and devices (Gourbesville, 2009). After the development phase, technology is now entering an application and implementation phase which is targeting several fields including environment. A relevant example is given by the European Union who has defined a major priority for the next 20 years on "ICT for sustainable growth" with the ambition to lead innovation at the worldwide scale. In such context, ICT refers to technologies that provide access to information through telecommunications. It is similar to Information Technology (IT), but focuses primarily on communication technologies. This includes the Internet, wireless networks, cell phones, and other communication mediums. As defined by the European Commission, improving the quality of life should not damage the environment for future generations. Achieving sustainable growth requires better management of all natural resources, from energy to water and ICT - Information and Communication Technologies - can enable this far more efficiently (Holz, 2004), so improving environmental protection without holding back

world."

the water sector.

economic development.

emissions, ecological and environmental impacts.

Key concerns are the impact of climate change and the inefficient use (or over-use) of natural resources, such as drinking water and energy supplies. However, in order to achieve these objectives, the European Commission focuses its efforts on several specific areas such as Energy Efficient Buildings, Smart Electricity Grids and Smart Metering, Freight, Logistic and Transport, Greener ICT, Water Management. In this last domain, the European Union wishes to recognize the added value of ICT solutions and to support their implementation in the water domain by elaborating, validating and disseminating recommendations, guidelines and specifications on specific technologies and uses. This strategy is duplicated at the international level with the priorities of the National Science Foundation (NSF) in USA and the Green Growth project developed in South Korea.

If the diagnostic is now shared globally, it request coordinated efforts in order to implement the various ICT solution into the water sector. This sector is complex and requires a careful analysis able to underline needs and to identify the added value provided by ICT solutions according to a realistic roadmap for implementation.
