Top Technologies for Water Management
Rebecca Schlagenhauf, Principal at Baird Capital, makes the case for investing in solutions for water quality and scarcity.
The world is facing an escalating water crisis, with water scarcity impacting billions of people globally. According to UNICEF, nearly two-thirds of the world’s population, or four billion people, experience severe water scarcity for at least one month each year. By 2025, half of the world’s population could live in areas facing water scarcity.
The water management industry has witnessed a wave of innovation to meet the demand for effective and efficient solutions. And there are some key technologies that can drive positive change across a range of industries and can have a positive impact from day one of implementation.
What are the risks?
But while investing in new water management technologies offers numerous benefits, businesses must also be aware that failing to invest in water management poses a number of potential risks.
Many companies rely on ageing water infrastructure that is prone to leaks, inefficiencies, and failures. While upgrading or replacing these systems can be costly and disruptive, neglecting these issues can lead to significant water losses, increased maintenance costs, and potential regulatory fines. Backing smart infrastructure and digital water management technologies can help mitigate these risks by enabling proactive maintenance and efficient resource management.
Water management regulations are also becoming increasingly stringent as governments seek to address water scarcity and environmental concerns. Businesses must ensure compliance with these regulations to avoid fines and operational disruptions. It’s important to stay ahead of regulatory requirements and demonstrate commitment to sustainable practices.
Climate change poses a significant risk to water resources, leading to more frequent and severe droughts, floods, and other extreme weather events. These changes can disrupt water supply and quality, affecting business operations. By investing in technologies for flood prevention, water safety, and climate resilience, businesses can mitigate the impacts of climate change on their water resources and ensure continuity of operations.
Water scarcity can also disrupt supply chains, particularly for businesses that rely on water-intensive processes or products. Investing in water-efficient technologies can help businesses reduce their water footprint and ensure a reliable water supply for their operations. Additionally, companies should assess the water risks in their supply chains and work with suppliers to mitigate any potential issues.
Consumers and investors are increasingly aware of environmental issues, including water scarcity. Businesses that fail to address water management issues may face reputational risks and lose customer trust. Best practices and strong ESG credentials that stand up to scrutiny can enhance a business’s reputation.
Six water management solutions
Disinfection is crucial for water quality management, protecting public health by reducing waterborne diseases. Water can carry harmful bacteria, viruses, and pathogens that can cause illness or death. Disinfection involves killing or inactivating these microorganisms, typically using chemical disinfectants. This process is vital for surface water sources, such as lakes or rivers, which are more prone to contamination. Effective disinfection requires careful management and monitoring to ensure appropriate disinfectant levels, balancing disease prevention with minimising harmful byproducts.
Residual management is crucial for maintaining water quality. It ensures that drinking water is safe for consumption by preserving a residual chlorine disinfectant. This process kills harmful microorganisms that may contaminate water during distribution. Common disinfectants like chlorine, chloramine, and ozone are used to treat drinking water, but maintaining adequate levels throughout the distribution system is essential. Disinfectant residual management involves monitoring and adjusting disinfectant levels to protect against waterborne diseases and counteract water age and nitrification effects.
Additionally, typical treatment methods for ‘forever chemicals’, such as PFOS/A, in water strip chlorine from the water resulting in increased chlorine demand for secondary residual management. For this, technology such as on-site hypochlorite generation may prove a useful and resilient solution.
A consideration in potable water disinfection is the potential for unwanted byproducts. Trihalomethane (THM) aeration is designed to reduce harmful chemical byproducts in drinking water. THMs form when chlorine, which is used for disinfection, reacts with organic matter in water and can cause health risks, including cancer. THM aeration exploits the volatile nature of these compounds, transferring them from water to air. This method of water management can be used across a whole range of businesses, from the food and beverage sector to healthcare. It has gained popularity by being cost-efficient.
Water storage tank mixing is a crucial and often overlooked low-cost solution for maintaining and improving water quality in storage tanks. It prevents stratification by ensuring the temperature stays the same, reducing the risk of uneven water quality. Mixing also combats stagnation, which can lead to bacterial growth and biofilm formation. It ensures uniform distribution of disinfectants like chlorine, preventing under- or over-chlorination. Tank mixing limits sediment accumulation, keeping particles suspended for easier removal during cleaning. It improves dissolved oxygen levels, preventing anaerobic conditions that can cause unpleasant tastes and odours. Mixing also balances water age by circulating water within the tank, maintaining fresher, higher-quality water. In cold climates, it prevents ice formation that could damage tanks. Effective tank mixing is essential to maintain safe, high-quality drinking water, particularly in scenarios where the water has been stored for a long time.
Liquid polymer feed enhances water quality by removing suspended particles and impurities through flocculation. When added to water, liquid polymers form long molecular chains that attract and bind to small particles and impurities, creating larger clusters known as flocs. These flocs are denser than water, causing them to settle at the bottom or float to the top, where they are removed via sedimentation or filtration. This process improves water clarity, reduces turbidity, and eliminates harmful contaminants like bacteria, viruses, and heavy metals, making the water safer for drinking and other uses. Here again, PFOS/A considerations come into play, as these chemicals will be present within the sludge created by the treatment process, increasing cost of disposal. Investments to dry and reduce sludge production this way to optimise the treatment process will see increased applicability.
Dry chemical feed adds chemical coagulants or flocculants to water to remove suspended particles and impurities. This process uses specialised feeder systems to introduce dry chemicals, stored in bags or drums, into the water. These systems can be manual or automated, depending on the treatment plant’s size and complexity. Dry chemical feed offers advantages like easier transportation and storage, and it’s often more suitable for smaller applications. However, handling and mixing with water can be more challenging, potentially resulting in lower treatment efficiency. The choice between dry chemical and liquid polymer feed depends on factors such as cost, efficiency, ease of handling, and specific water treatment objectives.
Why water?
Businesses across various sectors must invest in new technologies for water sanitation and management to mitigate risks and ensure sustainable operations. After all, water scarcity poses a significant risk to business operations, supply chains, and long-term sustainability, not just of a specific industry, but worldwide. By investing in advanced water treatment and conservation technologies, companies can ensure their own water security and operational resilience.
As demand for water-efficient solutions grows, companies at the forefront of water technology innovation also stand to gain a competitive advantage. Additionally, such investments align with corporate social responsibility goals, enhancing brand reputation and appealing to environmentally conscious consumers and investors in an in an increasingly water-stressed world.
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