Everything these days seems “smart.” Smart TV’s, smart phones, even smart thermostats. Once simple tools, they have become smart by learning, and adjusting to create efficiencies, comfort and cost savings.

My phone knows when I’m leaving work and suggests the best route to get home quicker. My thermostat knows if anyone is home and can adjust to give us comfort and cost savings. TV’s…well, I still haven’t figured that one out. It might be smart but I still need help turning it on! Too many buttons and too many choices, I just want to watch soccer or HGTV!


So what is the role of water in the “smart” revolution?

Let’s be honest, as a consumer, I look at a water utility and know they charge me for water consumption. Simply put, I pay them, they give me water. Nothing revolutionary here, although utilities are rapidly adopting customer portals  for their customers to better understand consumption and manage billing.

I’ve never considered how they are creating or delivering or clean water. I am not worried about running out of water. But, utilities are in fact responsible for managing all aspects of water. Things like supply and demand, cleanliness, sustainability, and much more… all of which can benefit from “smart” technologies.

So can water be “smart?”

Yes! Well the water can’t be smart but the management of water can be.

To be “smart,” providers and municipalities must look at the entire water process. Data, communication, and analysis need to come together for improvements and innovations to increase the value of water for everyone.

Read how Travis Smith, Director of smart water strategy at Sensus, views the role of smart water and what needs to be done to solve water.