Digital dilemma: tech’s impact on water management in Europe

Digital tech is revolutionising Europe’s water management systems, but its heavy consumption of the precious resource brings its own challenges.

Increasingly, digital technology is helping to manage water systems in Europe. The supports it offers include real time monitoring of water use and quality, quicker leak detection and smart irrigation. Additionally, artificial intelligence can help forecast rainfall patterns. Around 23% of water in EU networks is lost before it gets to consumers. Digital solutions can cut leaks by 30% and reduce overflows in sewer systems.
The potential benefits of digital solutions in the sector have been established by EU-funded projects under the ICT4Water Cluster. The use of data analytics, IoT cloud computing, augmented intelligence, blockchain and the development of digital twins in the water industry give new capabilities to analyse, automate, correct in real time, predict and minimise risks to the natural environment.
In addition, digital solutions can be deployed to raise awareness and involve citizens and consumers and influence their behaviour. Domestic water distribution systems can also benefit from digitalisation. Among other things, digitalisation can offer more information to citizens about household water consumption and raise their awareness on the sustainable use of water.
But digital tech can also have a negative impact on life’s most important resource, primarily through increased freshwater consumption. For example, data centres use vast quantities of cooling water on a daily basis, as do factories producing car batteries and semi-conductors.
Battery production:
 
Hydrogen
Using water-consuming technologies to better manage water systems clearly presents a dilemma for legislators and industry leaders. Efforts are underway to create innovative, water-efficient technologies and sustainable practices to balance the benefits of digital progress with environmental responsibility.
Water and data centres
Adopting efficient cooling technologies like liquid cooling, using non-potable or reclaimed water, and optimizing infrastructure can reduce water usage. Strategies include circular water systems, reclaimed municipal wastewater, and site selection in water-abundant areas, along with rainwater harvesting and smart water storage.
Water and battery production
Digital tech will help us use water better, but it’s also a thirsty consumer of resources. The challenge, of course, is to find the right balance.