The Challenge of Water Management Amid Climate Change

The rains of the last few weeks in Mexico City have challenged the local hydraulic infrastructure. On June 2 alone, a historic rainfall was recorded (with rainfall that had not occurred since 2017), with 82 million cubic meters of water. Subsequent rains were equally intense, such as those of the 12th, 16th and 22nd of the same month.

It is estimated that in all of June, the rainfall that took place in Mexico City exceeded 164 million cubic meters, more than twice the rainfall recorded in the same month last year. We are talking about an amount of water that could fill the Azteca Stadium more than 130 times. This volume of rainwater represents a major opportunity for harvesting climate-resilient water.

It is no coincidence that the capital city's government has proposed moving toward a new management model to infiltrate rainwater for its use. This is the Water Acupuncture program[1], based on the construction of 100 points, in different municipalities of the capital city, with an infiltration capacity of 25 liters of water per second to recharge aquifers using rainwater collected from parks, wells, and public spaces, and thus mitigate times of drought.

In view of this initiative, as timely as it is necessary, at Siemens we consider it pertinent to emphasize the important role of technological innovations to support this end not only in Mexico, but worldwide, since water scarcity throughout the planet is a challenge that will only increase throughout this century.

How to Rethink Water Management and Increase Clean Water Conservation?

According to the World Economic Forum[2], almost half of the world's population is already facing water scarcity. It is estimated that, within just five years, there will be a 40% deficit in this vital element. Calculations indicate that, by 2050, humanity will demand 25% more water because of population growth.

However, although the problem is serious, there is a glimmer of hope: Today, about 30% of potable water is lost globally during distribution, but if we were able to optimize its management, we could increase the recovery of this vital liquid. Digital twins — virtual models that replicate real-world systems — can be particularly useful for conserving water, as they create a continuous flow of data in real time that allows redefining the management of water systems.

As this technology helps to subject real-world representations of objects and systems to diverse virtual scenarios and conditions, in the water management scenario it would allow, for example, local water authorities to simulate changes in the temperature of urban rivers, and the level of their flows, to understand flood risks and develop countermeasures that guarantee a more efficient and sustainable management. In addition, digital twins are essential to design the water supply of the future, considering the existing and predicted weather conditions to plan a more efficient rainwater harvest.

At Siemens, we developed the Digital Enterprise portfolio of software and automation solutions, which help the water industry make the most of digitalization by intelligently linking data from different sources (such as sensors, water meters, weather information, and more) so that water can be used more efficiently and sustainably.

By processing all this available data into a complete data model, it is possible to optimally exploit the full potential of the systems. The result is a digital twin, a virtual and accurate model that is always kept up to date.

Digital Twins in Action: Examples of Their Transformative Power

Lushan Water Supply Company in China revitalized its outdated water system with digital twins. Supplying 25,000 tons of water to Guling, a summer resort in Lu Mountain National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), its system built in the 1980s had the challenge of meeting current standards of environmental protection and development and preserving the iconic landscape.

The path began with some digital improvements, to which was added the implementation of simulation software to create a digital twin of the plant, which analyzes efficiency levels and promotes possible optimizations in real time, before its practical application.

The innovations that technology (implemented with the support of Siemens and a local partner) have brought to Lushan have allowed it to significantly reduce water loss, contributing to the environmental preservation of the region's iconic landscapes. Thanks to digital twins, Lushan maximizes the potential for success while minimizing costs and operational disruptions.

On the other hand, the Technical University (TU) Berlin is an example of the success of cross-sectoral collaboration to address water management problems in a broader environment, such as, in this case, the transportation of water between locations.

The institution is a pioneer in collaboration by creating a digital twin of a pumping station in its Water 4.0 test facility, which integrates essential data on design, operation, and maintenance of its real equivalent, and is capable of detecting situations such as clogged pumps, to unclog them before they represent a problem. Far from being a simple demo plant, this digital twin is a fully functional industrial plant of scale, which the university uses as its virtual innovation space to develop and test new optimization concepts and more daily.

Both cases are proof of the transformative potential of digital twins: their ability to reduce maintenance times by up to 30% and costs by up to 25%. Can you imagine the significant impact they could have on water management and how they can be of help at any rate?

Digitalization helps to make water more efficient, sustainable, profitable, and responsible, both locally and globally (managing rainwater from cities, dams, rivers and even oceans). Now that there is an urgent need to ensure a reliable supply for the world's huge population, its value is incalculable.

Sources:

[1] "We inaugurate the program of 100 points of Water Acupuncture", Mexico City Government.

[2] "How digital twins are transforming the world of water management", World Economic Forum.