Big Data to Help Water Sector Become Carbon Neutral

As the impacts of climate change intensify, achieving carbon neutrality within the water sector has become essential for sustainable development. Water utilities are among the most energy-intensive public services, and reducing their carbon emission is essential for meeting global sustainability targets. Big data is playing an important role in this transition, offering powerful tools to improve efficiency, reduce emissions, and support informed decision-making. This chapter explores how cutting-edge technologies such as real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and IoT-driven systems are revolutionising energy efficiency within water supply, treatment, and distribution networks. It will examine how utilities are using data to optimise operations, detect leaks, forecast demand, and manage energy consumption more effectively, ultimately improving overall performance. While the benefits are clear, challenges such as data fragmentation, initial investment, limited digital infrastructure, and skilled workforce capacity continue to hinder large-scale adoption. By evaluating both current practices and emerging trends, this chapter shows the strategic importance of big data in driving decarbonisation across the water sector and outlines important enablers for its broader implementation to achieve carbon-neutral water management systems.