Data: A Company’s Strategic Ally in Water Management

Q: How do NOROCmx’s strategic alliances contributed to the company’s growth? 

A: NOROCmx’s strategic alliances have significantly contributed to our growth and our ability to deliver comprehensive solutions. By partnering with top experts in various fields, we are able to integrate cutting-edge technology and knowledge into our projects. These alliances enhance our capability to manage complex water-related challenges.

We specialize in advanced water management, measuring and analyzing water quality and hydrological cycles. Our platform allows for precise monitoring of various water sources, including wells and rivers, and provides detailed data on water usage and quality. This information is crucial for a wide range of clients, from government agencies like the National Water Commission (CONAGUA) to private companies and commercial developers. Our solutions enable clients to monitor and manage water resources effectively. 

Q: How does NOROCmx incorporate cutting-edge technology in its water solutions to reduce maintenance and operational costs for clients? 

A: We use specialized software to track and analyze water usage and quality. For example, we have developed a platform for CONAGUA that monitors water extraction from wells across the country. This same technology can be used by other organizations and industries to optimize their water processes and improve product quality.

Our solutions provide detailed insights into water consumption and treatment. This helps clients, whether they are government agencies, industrial operations, or agricultural enterprises, to understand their water usage and manage it more effectively. By accurately measuring and processing data, we can help clients comply with regulations, reduce costs, and make more informed decisions.

Mexico faces significant water treatment challenges, and our technology makes the management process more efficient and effective. 

Q: What trends and challenges are influencing water management practices?

A: There is a heightened awareness among business leaders and policymakers regarding the water crisis, but significant challenges persist. Many people mistakenly believe that recent rains have resolved the water issues, but this is not true. While the rains have provided some relief, the country remains in a severe water crisis due to inadequate water resources.

To tackle this issue, we need to adopt better water treatment practices. A potential solution could be to repurpose the drinking water used in agriculture for urban consumption and provide treated water for agricultural needs instead. This approach would help ensure that clean water is available where it is most needed.

However, the effectiveness of such solutions is hindered by outdated infrastructure. The country still relies on old clay, asbestos-cement, and unprotected steel pipes, many of which are over 30 or 40 years old and prone to leaks. This outdated infrastructure leads to significant water wastage and exacerbates the crisis. Upgrading these systems and improving water management practices are crucial steps in effectively addressing water issues.

Q: How does NOROCmx address environmental concerns through its product offer? 

A: NOROCmx draws inspiration from advanced technologies used in countries like Israel to implement sustainable water solutions. For example, we explore the potential for water farms and other advanced techniques to improve water conservation and management. Our solutions include comprehensive water analysis and leak detection systems that help monitor and manage water use efficiently. We offer technology that allows precise tracking of water consumption, including time and amount used, which aids in promoting a culture of water conservation.

Our leak detection technology uses sensors to monitor critical infrastructure, such as main pipelines, in real time. This enables us to identify and address leaks quickly. We can either manually inspect and repair leaks or use advanced methods to seal leaks without interrupting water supply. This technology not only helps in immediate leak containment but also extends the lifespan of the infrastructure by reinforcing pipes.

Q: How does NOROCmx customize its solutions to meet the diverse needs of different sectors? 

A: Customizing solutions for diverse sectors involves a hands-on approach. We start by visiting the field to understand the unique conditions of each installation. Every site has distinct characteristics. While our products, technology, and software may be similar, the application and installation vary significantly based on factors such as pipe type, leak patterns, and local infrastructure. The choice of materials and technology also depends on field conditions, including signal availability for data transmission.

Our products, including water meters, discharge meters, gas meters, and valves, are designed to address various industry challenges. There is high demand for accurate measurement solutions, especially in discharge monitoring. Many companies focus on water extraction, but discharge management is equally crucial. We have worked on projects that improve discharge measurement and help water agencies increase their revenue by better managing discharge fees. However, there is a lack of standardization in discharge regulations across the country. This inconsistency complicates measurement and administrative processes. We advocate for a more unified approach to make both measurement and resource management more efficient.

Q: What more needs to be done to establish an effective water system?

A: To build an effective water system, we need comprehensive involvement from all sectors of society, including government officials, private industry, and citizens. A key issue is the culture of water usage. Often, water is freely given, leading to wasteful practices. Implementing water meters, even if not used for billing, can help raise awareness of consumption levels and encourage more responsible use.

Everyone must understand and act on the importance of water conservation. While technology exists to improve water management, it is not yet widely implemented. Integrating water recycling systems in homes or buildings can reduce water waste by treating and reusing water on-site. Solutions such as desalination are expensive and not yet widely feasible. However, simpler solutions, like installing water-saving systems in homes and schools, can make a significant impact.

Addressing the water crisis requires collective action and a shift in how we manage and value water resources. While the technology and knowledge are available, widespread adoption and cultural change are crucial for progress.

Q: How do your consultancy and project management services enhance your solutions? 

A: NOROCmx’s consultancy services significantly impact how clients utilize our solutions. Often, we provide consulting at no additional charge to ensure clients fully leverage their investment. For example, a water organization recouped its investment within a month of installing one of our systems, increasing its revenue by over 200% due to effective use of the technology. Our consultancy involves detailed diagnostics and reengineering. We recently enhanced a client’s wastewater treatment plant by reusing 80% of its existing infrastructure, boosting its capacity by over 50%. 

Moreover, we conduct thorough analyses, including off-site evaluations, to determine how water is processed and identify improvements. This data-driven approach allows us to propose technical and economic solutions tailored to optimizing the system. Our goal is to help clients meet regulatory standards efficiently and effectively.

Q: As water scarcity becomes an increasingly critical issue, what role will NOROCmx play in the future of water management? 

A: Our future is closely tied to addressing critical infrastructure challenges. Mexico has over 2,200km of pipelines that need comprehensive assessment and improvement. While replacing all these pipelines is not feasible, we must diagnose and update the existing data to manage these resources better.

Water issues are prevalent across the country. Improving infrastructure is essential for effective water distribution and can be done without disrupting daily activities. For example, we recently installed 23 meters in a city without causing any public disruption, demonstrating how critical but discreet our work can be.

We need to address water supply and infrastructure challenges from various sources, including rivers, seas, and pipelines. Monitoring water usage within cities and industries is also crucial.  Water contamination is another significant issue. Without adequate treatment facilities, contaminants are affecting springs and aquifers. The solution involves better treatment processes and industrywide collaboration to manage and mitigate pollution effectively. The technology and capability exist, but we need prompt action from all stakeholders to address these challenges.

Q: What are your strategic goals for the next year, especially in the context of rapid technological advances in the industry? 

A: Our strategic goals for the coming year include expanding our product offer through new alliances and technological advances. We are forming partnerships with companies that can provide additional technologies and financing options. We are also planning to extend our presence to the European Union, with an upcoming launch in Spain. We will also continue to support industries such as oil and gas, using technologies developed in Mexico and abroad.

We plan to eventually expand to the United States and Latin America to address similar challenges across these regions. To support this growth, we are investing in training and collaboration with other companies to enhance our capabilities and impact. Internally, we are working on improving our community support initiatives. We are refining our approach to ensure sustainability and effectiveness in our efforts to address water scarcity and related issues.

NOROCmx is a Mexican company that specializes in the integration of turnkey projects. It also provides instrumentation, control, measurement, telemetry, and analysis services.