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Digital transformationof the water sector
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Transforming water utilities for tomorrow
Achieving water sustainability throughstrategic digital transformation
From data to decisions

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DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF THE WATER SECTOR
Highlight publication
Version 1.0
December 2023

FRONT PAGE PHOTO
Editing: Henrik Wedel Sivertsen

EDITOR IN CHIEF
State of GreenTECHNICAL EDITOR
Stig Knudsen, Water Technology Advisory, Consulate General of Denmark - The Trade Council, Hamburg

CONTRIBUTORS
Novafos
Kamstrup
LEAKman partners:
	AVEVA, AVK, DTU – Technical University of Denmark,Grundfos, HOFOR – Greater Copenhagen Utility,
Kamstrup, Leif Koch, NIRAS, Novafos
Sulfilogger
DHI

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IndexIntroduction

4

1. Transforming water utilities for tomorrow

6

2. Achieving water sustainability through strategic digital transformation

8

Case: Revolutionising leak detection in service connections
3. From data to decisions

910

	Case: Strategic water partnership to stop water losses
through system integration and holistic monitoring

12

Case: Dynamic overview helps mitigate
H2S challenges in sewer network

14

Case: Efficient wastewater plant operation
with digital twin technology

15

3

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF THE WATER SECTOR

Introduction

The water industry is facing a growing number of challenges affecting all parts of its operations and business.
Climate change and limited water resources combinedwith the demands to keep doing more with less means thatwater professionals across the globe are under pressure tofind new and more efficient ways of working.
Taking a data-driven approach to running a water utility
opens up opportunities for optimisation of everything fromoperations to asset management, customer relations andrevenue protection. And as several Danish water utilities

4

have proven over the last decade, digitalisation truly holds
the key to radically transforming the industry.
However, while the steps involved in a utility’s digitalisation
journey are the same, their individual starting points andambitions may not be. By understanding the process, defining a strategic purpose, and being inspired by the many
concrete cases from more experienced water companies,
utilities can increase their chances of a successful digitaltransformation.

5

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF THE WATER SECTOR

CHAPTER 1

Transforming water
utilities for tomorrow
Taking a systematic approach to the digitalisation journey is key to a
successful transformation for water utilities.

European water utilities are under pressure to become moredigitalised and efficient to overcome the challenges they face
today as well as meet the demands of the future. But a digitaltransformation starts with understanding the journey andstarting point.

are unable to explain in detail what digitalisation is and how it willaffect their business. It’s important to remember that digitalisationmeans different things not just from country to country, but also
from utility to utility. Plus, each utility’s starting point will be different depending on the decisions made in the past.

Climate change, rising energy costs, faulty and aging infrastructures, changes in consumption patterns, and EU demands in connection with recovery funds are among the numerous challenges
faced by water utilities in Europe.

Regardless of the starting point, a digital transformation affects
the entire water company, which means that the sponsors forsuch a project go beyond the usual departments. A truly digitalsolution and setup will benefit all departments, and their wins
should therefore be included in a business case calculation.

Most of them express finding themselves operating in a world ofchange. Combined with an aging workforce and a pressing needfor talent acquisition, this makes digitalisation the lever for improving processes and acquiring new competences to embraceand refine new ways of working.
Today, most utilities see digitalisation as one of the most important tools for overcoming their challenges – even though some6

Digitisation, digitalisation and digital transformation– what are the differences
The three concepts digitisation, digitalisation and digital transformation are widely used interchangeably – sometimes without aclear distinction between them. In reality, they are three different
concepts and are used to describe the digital maturity level of anorganisation.

There are no exact definitions, but the figure below is a good and comprehensible
way of framing the three concepts and their distinctions:
Machine learning / AI

Digital transformation

Robots and digital predictions

Digitalisation

Start to use data

Digitisation

Convert info to digital

Prognosis
Modelling
AnalysisAutomation
Monitoring
This model shows a development from digitisation over digitalisation until you reach the digital transformation.
•	Digitisation refers to the process of converting information into a digital (i.e. computer-readable) format.
•	Digitalisation is the process in which aspects of social (and work) life are restructured around digital communication.
•	Digital transformation is the adoption of digital technology by a water company or utility. Common goals for its implementation
are to improve efficiency, value or innovation.

Seen together with the model above, this means that:
Machine learning / AI

Digital transformation is the transformation of business activities, processes, products, and models to fully leverage theopportunities of digital technologies. The main goal is to improve efficiency, manage risk or discover new opportunities. Digitaltransformation is doing things in a new (digital) way.

Prognosis

Modelling• Analysis without human interaction• Online robot surveillance of overflows, operation of plants or piping systems

Digitalisation is the process of leveraging digitalisation to improve business processes. Digitalisation means making
digitalised information work for the water company. This term refers to the use of digital technologies and data to create
revenue, improve business, and create a digital culture where digital information is at the core. It converts processes to be
more efficient, productive and profitable.

AnalysisAutomation• Information is often shared in the cloud with all relevant colleagues and partners• Human interaction is needed to keep information updated and relevant

Digitisation is the process of converting information from a physical format to digital one. It means converting something non-digital
into a digital representation to be used by computer systems and automate processes or workflows. Digitalisation enables utilities tocreate business value, which requires data. It helps to lay the foundation for business use cases that leverage data.

Monitoring• Converting piping information to databases• Securing data from employees and saving them locallyIn other words, utilities will normally go from digitisation over digitalisation to digital transformation. But it all starts with knowing thedifferent steps on that journey – starting at the bottom and moving upwards. Also, by taking a systematic approach to digitalisation andknowing their individual starting point, utilities get an accurate understanding of the fact that being truly digitalised involves every single
corner of their business. And this enables them to talk more efficiently about reaching a full digital transformation.

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DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF THE WATER SECTOR

CHAPTER 2

Achieving water
sustainability throughstrategic digitaltransformation
With a well-defined strategic direction for digitalisation,water utilities are better able to involve all employees
and reach their goals.

Digitalisation has the potential to revolutionise the way
water companies and utilities work – and huge strides
have already been taken. Having a clear sense of purposeand direction for the digitalisation journey helps ensurecommitment and success.
For several years, the Danish water sector has been challenged by climate change, fluctuating energy costs, an aging
and faulty infrastructure, changes in consumption patterns,
water loss, and efficiency demands. In addition, an aging
workforce and talent acquisition challenges are only adding
to the problem.
That said, the way of working has changed significantly as
data-driven approaches have been adopted when it comesto the development, but also operation and maintenance ofwater companies or utilities
Denmark is one of the most digital countries in the world,
and as the surrounding society has become more and8more digital, the water sector has also implemented more
and more digital solutions and ways of working. While ithas sometimes seemed as if the digital transformation is agoal in itself, it is in fact a means for improving both operations and investments, attracting and maintaining workforce, monitoring and documenting performance towards
stakeholders such as customers, authorities, owners andemployees, and last but not least for improving customer
satisfaction.
In many ways, this has resulted in a digital transformation.
And today, water companies see digital transformation as aprerequisite for being able to meet the challenges they faceand optimise the way they run their utilities.
On a strategic level, executive management has been
setting the targets for a truly transformational digital journey.
Ultimately this ensures that the direction is clear for the restof the company making it easier and more motivating for
employees to take part in reaching the finish line.

CASES

Image credit: Kamstrup

Revolutionising leak detection
in service connections
Novafos – one of the largest water utilities in Denmark – was struggling with inefficient andtime-consuming leak detection based primarily on night-time flow data on a district-level only.
With Kamstrup’s innovative Leak Detector software the utility was able to leverage acoustic noisedata from their 80,000+ flowIQ® 2200 smart water meters to efficiently locate leaks in service
connections. The information provided by Leak Detector delivers highly specific algorithm-based
insights related to high-risk installations, which enables the Novafos team to prioritize their daily
efforts and focus on the installations that have the biggest impact. And as Leak Detector provides
specific street addresses to investigate, Novafos' employees now spend their time fixing leaks
instead of searching for them, meaning they can optimise their resource allocation and save a significant amount of time. Since implementing the software, Leak Detector has successfully helped
guide Novafos to genuine leaks across its network – boasting a 50% hit rate with 88 detectedleaks and counting.

CONTRIBUTORS
Novafos
Kamstrup

LOCATION
Copenhagen, Denmark

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DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF THE WATER SECTOR

CHAPTER 3

From data to decisions
Innovative collaborations between utilities and technology
providers light the way towards a more digitalised utility.

Basing decisions and efforts on data from smart meters
opens up new opportunities for today’s water utilities –from increased efficiency and reduced water loss to talentattraction. Going forward, the digital journey continues inclose collaboration amongst ambitious key players.
Maintenance and renovation efforts were previously performed either based on a fixed schedule, a reactive approachor with a high margin of safety. Common to all of them wasthat they were highly inefficient. Choosing a data-driven
approach allows water utilities to take a more proactive approach focusing on the performance of each asset.
Building on data
One example of making innovative use of smart metering
is utilising the individual meters as noise loggers to detectleaks on a daily basis by. By doing so, utilities can monitor
leaks and prioritise addressing areas where their effort will
have the greatest impact in minimising water loss.

10

Of course, the leaks still have to be fixed, but the successrate of finding the most important leaks becomes significantly higher.
Another example of building on data is using radar weather
data combined with sewege network modelling to efficiently
handle rainwater from extreme cloudbursts by utilising theexisting capacity within the network instead of embarking
on large construction projects.
Furthermore, the utilities are improving their appeal as aworkplace by incorporating ambitious digital solutions— thereby minimising the struggle of attracting the rightcandidates.
With the right sensors and software to analyse information,
many Danish utilities are also starting to optimise theirpressure management. By understanding peak demands
and distribution patterns, the pressure can be adjusted

Image credit: Grundfos

accordingly to save energy, reduce water loss and improve
operational efficiency.
The openness regarding the use of data has changed
with many utilities now sharing information with theircustomers. One of them is the local water utility company
in the city of Billund, Denmak that has made information
about the annual combined sewage overflows and daily
overflow details from specific locations readily available
online.
As these many examples show, the data-driven approachsheds light on both drinking water and sewage networks,
increasing both visibility and understanding of the networks'
performances. With this gained knowledge, utility professionals are able to proactively run operations and investments.

Are we there yet?
The digital journey in Denmark has been well under way
for the past 20 years. Experience has shown that we areaiming at a moving target as new regulations, expectations
and technological improvements constantly bring new
solutions to the market. Fortunately, the foundation has
been laid for Danish utilities in collaboration with technology providers to ensure new challenges and opportunities
are continuously addressed and implemented.
Water professionals are the experts in running a water
utility, and it is when this knowledge is integrated with digitalsolutions, utilities start to improve the way of working. So,with every step taken towards a more digitalised utility, more
knowledge and experience is acquired enabling proactive
and data-driven decision-making.

11

CASES

EconomyWater Sample

GIS

Asset
Management

Smart
Meter

MIS

CIS

Hydraulic
Model

Pump

Valve

SCADA

Noise Logger

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CASES

Strategic water partnershipto stop water losses throughsystem integration andholistic monitoring
Nine Danish partners formed a consortium with the objective of demonstrating the use
and effect of integrated high-end solutions within water loss control based on Danish
technologies and know-how. The nine partners included leading technology providers, consultants, water utilities and the Technical University of Denmark. Known as the
LEAKman Project, its aim was to deliver a sole, holistic non-revenue water management system.
Demonstration of a combined leakage management approach
Initiated in 2016, the 5-year project that was financed under the auspices of the Environmental Technology Development and Demonstration Programme that is supported by
the Ministry of Environment, had an overall budget of EUR 5.7 million. The project included
several central aspects such as economic analysis of the return on investment, Economic
Level of Leakage (ELL), selecting appropriate KPIs for monitoring the status and effect ofdifferent leakage management solutions as well as the implementation of interfaces between systems. The approach integrated the four key elements of leakage management:pressure management, active leakage control, pipeline management and rehabilitation, as
well as speed and quality of repairs.

CONTRIBUTORSLEAKman partners:
AVEVA
AVK
DTU – Technical University of Denmark
Grundfos
HOFOR – Greater Copenhagen Utility
Kamstrup
Leif Koch
NIRAS
Novafos

LOCATION
Denmark

Two large-scale demonstration facilities were established at the Danish water utilities
Novafos and HOFOR. The implementation included installation and use of intelligent
valves, pumps, deployed noise loggers, smart meters, smart inspections, SCADA,
online hydraulic modelling (Aquis), GIS and a holistic management information system(HOMIS) configured for automated calculation, display and reporting of selected key
performance indicators.
Integration and connectivity is key
Many of these components are generally already in use at water utilities, however, they
are often installed as part of separate projects, with only little or inefficient interface
between the different components. Consequently, full potential of the entire system isnever reached. The LEAKman project combined several smart systems and seamlessly
integrated and monitored them holistically, thereby connecting the entire water distribution network. The result of the LEAKman Project was the development of an integrated
solution that facilitates water loss reduction to less than 20 per cent for any system withinjust a few years – with possible reductions to below 10 per cent.
In 2020, upon completion of the demonstration facilities, the pressure was reduced by
16 per cent in the first demonstration area, and an additional reduction of 15 per cent isplanned. Consequently, a corresponding decrease in leakage level and burst frequency
is expected.

13

CASES

Dynamic overview helps
mitigate H2S challenges
in sewer network
Danish water utility Aarhus Vand worried that high levels of hydrogen sulfide (H2S ) in thewastewater collection system in the village of Solbjerg were causing its sewer network to
deteriorate at a faster rate than expected. But without a clear overview, the utility was unable
to uncover the cause, magnitude or development of the issue. In a joint effort, the company SulfiLogger installed 15 liquid-phase SulfiLoggerTM H2S sensors in strategic locations
throughout the village. Connected to a cloud solution, all 15 sensors provide online H2S data inreal time giving the utility a dynamic overview of the situation in the entire village. Data showedthat while the daily variations in H2S remained similar, the magnitude of the daily H2S peaksin the discharge well varied significantly between 2 and 4 mg/L. With solid data confirming
Aarhus Vand’s own suspicions of high H2S levels being transported to the nearby village ofTranbjerg, the utility decided to construct a stripping tower with a filter system at the discharge
well effectively eliminating the problem.

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CONTRIBUTORS
SulfiLogger

LOCATION
Solbjerg, DenmarkCASES

Efficient wastewater treatment
plant operation with digitaltwin technology
Challenged by its lack of a comprehensive plant overview to support efficient operation,
Danish water utility Aarhus Vand joined forces with DHI to set up a digital twin solution forEgå WWTP. TwinPlant combines real-time sensor data with simulation models to display adetailed virtual copy of the physical plant – a digital twin – that provides forecasts of plantconditions up to three days into the future. The solution allows for testing of different scenarios involving new controllers, controller settings, maintenance procedures, and inflow profiles
based on KPIs including energy consumption, operational costs, chemical dosing, effluent
quality and greenhouse gas emissions. Plus, the quality of online data is continuously verified,and Aarhus Vand is informed of potential anomalies. As a result, TwinPlant works as a decision
support tool enabling Aarhus Vand to virtually evaluate and optimise its wastewater plant
based on a holistic view of KPIs, ensuring efficient operation and minimising its contribution
to the climate footprint.

CONTRIBUTORSDHILOCATION
Aarhus, Denmark

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