Smart Water Technology for Efficient Water Resource Management: A Review

This article discusses the increasing water scarcity issue, with more than 50% of the global population projected to face high water scarcity by 2050, as highlighted in the United Nations' World Water Development Report. To address this challenge, effective water resource management is crucial, and smart water technology (SWT) offers a solution. By utilizing sensors, information, and communication technology (ICT), smart water systems (SWS) enable real-time monitoring of various data such as water pressure, flow, quality, and moisture. This allows for the detection of abnormalities like non-revenue water losses and water contamination in distribution systems. Additionally, SWT enhances water and energy efficiency in treatment plants and agriculture. The adoption of standardized data formats, such as the Water Mark UP language 2.0, simplifies data exchange between different water authorities.

The article reviews the current state-of-the-art of SWT, highlighting its benefits and addressing challenges. It concludes that the implementation of smart technologies can significantly improve water resource management and help alleviate global water scarcity. However, cost concerns may impede adoption, particularly in developing countries. Additionally, ensuring data security, reliability, and accurate results pose key challenges for the successful implementation of SWT.