Open Data Can Open up Opportunity
Mar 01, 2021
An open data approach can help water utilities drive efficiencies across their entire operations, says Matthew Hawkridge, chief technology officer, Ovarro
Advances in digital technology mean that siloed data from legacy IT systems within water utilities can now be more easily shared across many platforms. Utilities and municipalities had much to gain from opening up their data and a roundtable discussion at the World Water-Tech Innovation Summit on 23 February is an exciting opportunity to explore the potential an open data approach offers.
Asset data, usually held in an asset management system, can be blended with data from many other sources to generate deeper insights into infrastructure, operations, investment and even customers and human resources. Along with operational data from SCADA systems, data from GIS, leak detection, weather stations and business information systems can be combined to provide true situational awareness in real time.
This richer databank can identify not only cause and effect in many areas of business and operations, but also determine what is likely to happen in the future. Such insights can drive efficiency on many fronts, for example, in scheduling predictive maintenance. Accessing alarm data on water networks has certainly helped advance Ovarro’s thinking and innovation in this area.
Of course creating a more comprehensive and effective databank also makes it more valuable. The water sector is custodian of critical infrastructure and resources, so it is essential that while data is made available, that is done securely so that sensitive information does not fall into the wrong hands.
Most water utilities that I have dealt with are happy to open up their data to trusted parties to help add value to their own business operations and I enjoyed hearing plenty of examples and a sharing of expertise at the World Water-Tech Innovation Summit.
The virtual World Water-Tech Innovation Summit took place on 23-24 February 2021.
More News and Articles
Apr 17, 2024
News
Immersive media provides wastewater experience in Denmark
An immersive media experience (IMX) may not be what most people want when they think about industrial wastewater, but that is exactly what visitors can expect when they visit a new installation in the city of Kalundborg, Denmark.
Apr 15, 2024
News
Spotlight on gender diversity at Pipe Core
Since founding in 2008, Pipe Core’s team has grown across all areas of the business and is now in a position where there are more females than males across the organisation. Research published in Harvard Business Review found that “countries …
Apr 12, 2024
News
New Wave of Startups Scale Innovation to Solve Global Water Challenges
Innovators from Around the World Join Xylem’s 2024 Accelerator Program to Deploy Breakthrough Innovations for Utilities and Industrial Users of Water
Apr 08, 2024
News
Integrated sustainable electricity and clean drinking water systems
Altitude Water and New Use Energy Solutions have partnered to create integrated, mobile solar-plus-water generation systems that produce sustainable electricity and clean drinking water anytime, anywhere.
Apr 05, 2024
News
How to Evaluate Hydraulic Fracture Risk in HDD Design
The design of horizontal directional drill (HDD) installations often requires an evaluation of the potential for hydraulic fracture of the soil layers through which an HDD passes. Evaluating this risk during the design process is an important planning tool to …
Apr 02, 2024
News
Historic Project Linking Rome and Vatican City Uses Advanced Technology and Local Knowledge to Keep Water Flowing
Relocation of Major Sewer Infrastructure Enables Construction of Pedestrian Link for 35 Million Visitors to the 2025 Jubilee
Mar 27, 2024
News
USU Study Looks at Water Main Break Rates in the U.S. and Canada
Report Highlights Correlation Between Material and Diameter
Mar 26, 2024
News
Update BE-21: New Material in Course and Modules on Trenchless Pipe Installation
Online training on the topic of pipeline installation in civil engineering: Trenchless technology for underground drainage construction can be a resource-efficient, environmentally friendly, time-saving, and cost-effective alternative to open cut methods. The UNITRACC e-learning course "Utility Tunnelling" has been enhanced …
Mar 25, 2024
Article
Bacteria as a new weapon in wastewater treatment
In early November, San Diego based startup Aquacycl officially opened its first European office and test center at the Water Campus in Leeuwarden. The Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) and the Investment and Development Agency for the Northern Netherlands (NOM) …
Mar 22, 2024
News
A superior HDD offering
Building on its relationships with leading horizontal directional drilling companies, TRACTO Australia has delivered three new rigs to operator Superior HDD.
Mar 20, 2024
News
New portable water filtration technology could improve access to clean drinking water worldwide
The University of Texas at Austin has developed an injectable water filtration system with the aim to aid the over two billion people worldwide who are without clean drinking water.
Mar 18, 2024
News
Global Student Innovation Challenge Calls on Next-Generation Leaders to Tackle Water Security
High School and University Students Worldwide Invited to Expand Water Access and Community Resilience
Contact
Ovarro Ltd
Kathryn Langley
Global Marketing Manager
Rotherside Road
S21 4HL Sheffield
United Kingdom
Phone:
+44 1246 437580