Digital Approaches in Water Quality Management

Conventional water management practices have predominantly aimed at maximising supply to satisfy demand while addressing wastewater and stormwater through centralised systems. However, such approaches are increasingly considered inadequate due to growing water scarcity, climate change, and the need for sustainable practices. Digitalisation offers the transformative potential to address these challenges by enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and public awareness. The technological requirements for the successful digitalisation of conventional water management approaches involve adopting digital solutions, automation, monitoring, data mining, artificial intelligence (AI), data sources, and knowledge management tools. Integrating sensors and Internet of Things (IoT) devices enables real-time monitoring of water systems, allowing for precise measurement of critical hydraulic parameters such as pressure and flow rates, which facilitates the prompt detection of leaks and irregularities. Utilising predictive analytics, including data analytics and AI, empowers water utilities to anticipate demand and pinpoint potential system failures before they arise. Despite the promising potential of digitalisation, key obstacles still need to be addressed, particularly a need for comprehensive evidence regarding the effectiveness of digital solutions in enhancing public awareness of water management issues. This chapter explores the potential applications of digital technologies in water management, highlighting the predictive models, including IoT, AI, and machine learning (ML), in shaping the future of water management.