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Water industry trends to watch in 2022
But on the flip side, many companies flourished due to the rising demand for water-related products and services – particularly within the public health sector.
Drought and water scarcity made global headlines once again in 2021 – spotlighting the immense challenges of climate change, urbanisation, and ageing infrastructure within the sector and beyond. To address these challenges, the industry doubled down its efforts to improve sustainability and accelerate digitalisation.
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Within these macro trends there have been some technologies and approaches that are clearly ‘leading the pack’ going into 2022.
Water trends to watch in 2022:
We have chosen six that we believe will change the face of the industry in 2022, and in the years to come.
Water reuse
Climate change induced droughts have accelerated conversations around water reuse; there has been a clear drive this year to do more with less.
Particular focus has been on decentralised water reuse technologies that recycle water onsite, in a circular loop.
Three main factors are driving this shift: The urgent need to decarbonise water treatment processes, reduce the strain on aging infrastructures, and adapt to rising water costs. For these reasons the adoption of onsite water reuse is starting to take hold and this trend is only set to continue going into the new year.
PFAS
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were on the tip of everyone’s tongues this year.
And while the PFAS crisis is far from over, there have been some major moves to tackle the ‘forever chemicals’. The US passed the PFAS Action Act 2021 and Biden allocated $10bn to test for and filter PFAS from drinking supplies, as part of the country’s landmark $1tn infrastructure bill.
Across the water, in 2022, a consortium of EU countries will formally propose to the European Chemicals Agency (Echa) that PFAS be restricted across the continent.
This policy shift is giving rise to a number of startups and innovators, a trend that will only continue as governments across the world look to tackle what may well be the worst emerging contaminant this century.
Solar desalination
Despite the high costs associated with it, a market for desalination still exists simply because there is a need – particularly for arid or island nations.
This demand has increased since the beginning of the actionable insights than ever before. Going in 2022, smart water solutions at the touch of the button are set to become the norm, not the exception.
pandemic as health facilities in remote regions need access to more reliable freshwater supplies.
This year there has been significant growth in the solar desalination industry, which distils saltwater without producing carbon emissions or harmful by-products. This subsector of the desalination industry is receiving significant government investment as well as start-up seed funding.
This buy-in, along with a rising urgency to provide sustainable water treatment solutions to vulnerable regions, sets the solar desalination industry on course for rapid growth in 2022.
Internet of Things (IoT), big data and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
The management of water networks is increasingly becoming automated. On the frontline of this digital transformation are IoT sensors which gather real-time data on the state of systems and processes – from leaks and operational issues to water quality and flow.
As this ecosystem of web-enabled devices grows, water managers are being equipped with vast amounts of ‘big data’ that is being transformed into actionable insights through cloud-based analytics, AI and machine learning.
2021 was a year of massive growth in these ‘smart water’ technologies, as utilities look to future-proof their networks.
Software-as-a-service (SaaS)
Emerging technologies are complex and can present a steep learning curve for water managers. 2021 saw the rise of new, and consolidation of existing, SaaS companies to solve this problem.
Of particular prominence has been water monitoring SaaS solutions that integrate the full ecosystem of smart technologies into a single dashboard, often through mobile devices.
Digital twins
Digital twin technology sits at the cutting edge of the digital transformation of water utilities.
By giving a real-time view of an entire system, digital twins collate all the benefits of digital solutions into one place, helping utilities and other water managers adapt to 21st century challenges.
Digital twins are offering the ability to trial something more accurately than ever before, improving situational awareness and scenario forecasting.
A testament to their growing adoption, the global digital twin market size was valued at $3.1 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach a whopping $48.2 billion by 2026.
Want to share your point of view on water trends? Why not write to us via editorial@h2oglobalnews.com
Students Compete for Cash Prizes in Global Innovation Challenge to Solve Water Issues
Students Urged To Sign Up Before March 7 Deadline for $20,000 Xylem Innovation Challenge
Secondary and tertiary students worldwide are called on to expand water access and resilience, by signing up to join Xylem’s Global Student Innovation Challenge. Registration for the virtual challenge, which forms part of the Company’s dedicated student development program – Xylem Ignite, closes on March 7, 2022. Students will compete for eight cash prizes from the $20,000 prize pool.
“It is a critical moment for water, and also one that presents incredible new opportunities,” said Patrick Decker, Xylem’s Chief Executive Officer. “Now more than ever, a generation of engaged, passionate and creative young people are speaking up and taking action – advocating and innovating for a more sustainable world. Xylem Ignite is our global youth program to build a strong network of passionate young leaders and empower them to drive real solutions to water issues. Building on the success of our inaugural 2021 Global Student Innovation Challenge, we’re now calling on those who are passionate about solving water to join us in 2022 and help solve the world’s greatest water challenges.”
Over the course of 8 weeks, students will submit solutions to one of four challenge statements, with access to masterclasses and support from mentors across the water industry. The challenges include Solving Water with Alternative Sensing Technologies, Smart Floating City Master Plan, Raising Awareness for Water Equity and Kickstarting Water’s Race to Net-Zero. The participants will work in teams of up to five students, for the chance to win prizes for the top secondary and tertiary projects.
The global program is designed to enable participation from different countries and time zones and to accommodate school schedules. Students aged 13-25, and of all experience levels, are encouraged to participate. Individual registration for the innovation challenge closes at 2:59 am, US Eastern Time, on March 7, 2022.
Xylem Ignite was conceived in mid-2020 by a team of young professionals in Xylem, as a platform to engage the passion and creativity of students around the world. The investments are targeted to give interested students access to the resources needed to develop their ideas and innovations.
The Xylem Ignite program engages students to:
Prioritize the need for the next generation of water professionals across several career fields and all relevant industries.
Accelerate innovation through hackathon events, critical problem-solving challenges, and incubator initiatives.
Advance water sustainability education with training, masterclasses and mentorship from Xylem leaders and industry experts.
Give back to the community with water-oriented volunteerism.
EPA Recognises Maine Wastewater Treatment Facility and Individual for Excellence
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) New England Office recently awarded two 2021 Regional Wastewater Treatment Awards to a Maine wastewater facility and individual to recognize their commitment to improving water quality.
EPA New England’s Regional Wastewater Awards Program recognises and honors the employees of publicly owned wastewater treatment plants for their commitment to improving water quality with outstanding plant operations and maintenance.
Wastewater operators and staff work diligently to protect public health and the environment, often with limited resources.
“Across New England, the professionals operating wastewater treatment plants, and the municipalities and state environmental agencies that support them, are essential to keeping our environment healthy by protecting water quality,” said EPA New England Regional Administrator David Cash. “EPA is proud to acknowledge these entities and individuals for their outstanding contributions to help protect public health and water quality for so many years and give them the credit they deserve.”
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MEDEP) was instrumental in the nominations that led to these recognitions.
2021 Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator of the Year Award
Louise Grant, Paris Utility District, Paris, ME – Ms. Grant, of the Paris Utility District Water Treatment Facility, was recognized for her outstanding work over the years operating and maintaining the facility. Ms. Grant, who retired at the end of 2021, worked for the Paris Utility District for many years as Laboratorian as well as treatment plant operator managing process control. She also performed drinking water testing for the utility district, and she was applauded for her efforts to implement effective EPA is proud to acknowledge these entities and individuals for their outstanding contributions to help protect public health and water quality for so many years and give them the credit they deserve
management of the facility following extensive plant upgrades made in 2011-12. Ms. Grant was one of only three individuals across New England to receive this award.
Stonington Sanitary District, Stonington, ME – The Stonington Sanitary District, led by Sanitary District Operator D. Gay Atkinson II and Tom Brophy, was recognised for exceptional work in operating and maintaining the wastewater treatment plant over the past year. The facility has shown a high degree of excellence for many years, and is credited with being an exceptional public service to the community. This facility was one of only two facilities across New England to receive this award.
More EPA information on municipal wastewater operations: epa.gov/npdes/municipal-wastewater
