Partnership in action: Driving digital transformation for water utilities
Leading water operators embrace data-fueled solutions to tackle aging infrastructure and water security challenges.
Nearly 18 months ago, Xylem committed to making digital technology easier for water utilities to adopt by teaming up with Idrica, a leader in water data management and analytics. The partnership combined Xylem’s global reach and Xylem Vue digital portfolio with Idrica’s GoAigua technology platform to provide utilities of all sizes with the scalable solutions they need.
Since then, Xylem Vue applications have empowered clients to ramp up their digitalization efforts and address critical challenges, such as water scarcity and aging infrastructure.
Digital pacesetter: Hot Springs, AK, combats aging infrastructure, cuts NRW in half
The City of Hot Springs, Arkansas, was experiencing frequent leaks in its water system due to aging infrastructure. The city deployed advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) from Xylem, including residential smart meters and the FlexNet® communication network. The technology upgrade enabled water operators to remotely manage water monitoring and detect leaks in real time, helping them identify and address a sudden water loss of nearly four million gallons per day.
The utility continued its digital transformation by adding virtual district metering areas using Xylem Vue. The integrated software and analytics platform allowed the city to pinpoint high water loss areas by creating smaller, more manageable zones within the network.
The result: by harnessing advanced digital solutions, Hot Springs was able to reduce non-revenue water loss by nearly 50%.
Digital pacesetter: SADM in Monterrey, Mexico, achieves water savings of up to 37%
The state of Nuevo León in Mexico has faced severe drought conditions in recent years. Servicios de Agua y Drenaje de Monterrey, I.P.D. (SADM), which serves a metropolitan area of 5.3 million people, was looking for a digital solution to help it better address water scarcity challenges and improve efficiency.
The water utility implemented Xylem Vue with Leak Detection and Unified Network Management solutions, enabling SADM to conduct smart monitoring and management of water pressure, flow and consumption. The platform also helps the utility identify potential anomalies that point to visible and hidden leaks.
The result: SADM has realized overall water savings of 17% – and up to 37% in certain key sections of pipeline – and significantly increased its operational efficiency and management.
“Every day, water utilities are challenged by complex systems that make it difficult to use data to make decisions. Hot Springs and SADM are great examples of how the right solutions in the hands of utilities can drive meaningful change,” said Jaime Barba, President and CEO of Idrica and head of Xylem Vue.
Looking ahead
The City of Hot Springs and SADM’s success stories are only a sample of what’s possible. Over the past year and a half, more than 40 new water utilities worldwide have deployed the Xylem Vue integrated software and analytics platform.
To build on this momentum and empower more utilities to address the greatest water challenges of our time, Xylem is deepening its relationship with Idrica. Effective December 10, 2024, Xylem will become the majority stakeholder in Idrica.
“Xylem and Idrica are proud to empower water utilities with powerful tools to optimize their systems. Together, we can build a more resilient, sustainable and equitable future for their communities, the water sector and the world,” said Barba.
Learn more about digital solutions for water operators.