For water companies in the new year, the emergence of smart digital technology and Internet of Things (IoT) devices has improved the resilience of water supply and drainage systems and simplified operation procedures. According to Deloitte's forecast, data-driven products have great potential to change people's consumption patterns, the government's thinking about water resources, and the macroeconomic policies of how to invest and manage water infrastructure in the future.

In 2017, there will be more exciting technological developments in the water industry. Based on the performance of the water market last year, some people in the industry have boldly speculated on the most potential development trends in the new year:

Online consumer interaction

Today, the water industry has begun to understand and accept the advantages of customer interaction. Through the AMI solution, the water company can directly establish two-way communication with the household meter, user website and smartphone APP to improve service quality and remind users of possible leakage, blockage, and pollution. Customers can also actively track their water consumption and monitor their monthly bills. In 2017, due to the increase in customer demand for water transparency, future interactive technologies will play a more important role, and available solutions will become more personalized.

Wisdom irrigation

The global irrigation industry is undergoing a technologically driven transformation, which is widely called precision or "smart" irrigation by the industry. The irrigation industry is facing major challenges due to water scarcity, increased crop production and climate change. Through smart irrigation technology, farmers can use sensors or controllers to determine when and where to irrigate water, thereby maximizing profitability. The current global smart irrigation market is about 8.34 billion U.S. dollars.

Smart Wastewater Management

With increasing environmental supervision, climate change, aging infrastructure and the urgent need to improve customer service, cities are turning to "smart" data-driven solutions to improve their sewage systems. These solutions allow operators to detect sewage infiltration and water ingress, react quickly to system failures, and apply predicative modeling to optimize the decision sequence. In 2017, more and more solutions will be transferred to smart sewage management-four cities in the United States have used data technology to prevent harmful sewage overflow.

Real-time water quality monitoring

Pollution incidents such as the Flint Water Crisis in Michigan and the recent Corpus Christi pollution incident have increased global attention to water quality issues in developed countries. Water companies can actively manage and avoid potential threats through real-time water quality monitoring. One of the key needs of the water industry in 2017 is such a solution to ensure the safe operation of the pipeline network.

Mergers and acquisitions

In 2016, the "game-changing" M&A was particularly prominent. These mergers and acquisitions consolidated the positions of several leaders in the water industry and formed a number of strategic partnerships. Xylem acquired Sensus and Visenti. General Electric's Water & Process Technology Department has signed a number of cooperation agreements with WaterSmar Software and Smart Earth Technologies. Belkin, a leading global consumer electronics company, announced a joint venture with Uponor to keep water usage up to speed with other smart homes. "In 2017, there may be similar partnerships to provide integrated solutions.

An automated future

Water industry automation solutions are rapidly developing and deploying in all corners of the world. The water industry is changing with the development of cloud computing, big data analysis, remote control systems and the emergence of self-learning functions of machinery and equipment. These complex systems include technical equipment that can interact and a set of optimized operating procedures. In 2017, we will continue to see the emergence of automation solutions, and these solutions may change the face of the entire water industry.