The water sector in the Middle East faces several significant challenges, including climate change, migratory movements, water scarcity, and overexploitation of aquifers.
According to Ian Rodgers, a Solutions Architect at Xylem Inc, utilities need to be more operationally aware of their asset performance. They should be able to identify assets that are running optimally and those that require operational improvement. This can be achieved through digital transformation. Christian Perez, the Manager of Idrica Qatar, also emphasized that digital transformation helps improve water cycle management, customer service, and reduces costs.
Therefore, digital transformation has emerged as a key factor in addressing severe water issues in the Middle East.
One of the challenges is linked to demographics and migratory movements. Eleven out of the 17 countries facing extreme water scarcity risks are located in the Middle East and North Africa (UNICEF). Additionally, the population of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries is expected to increase by 14 million by 2050.
As a result, the average water demand in the GCC region is projected to rise to 33.7 million cubic meters in the next 25 years, while the storage capacity forecast is only 25.8 million cubic meters. Addressing this technical capacity gap is crucial to efficiently meet the rising demand.
Moreover, the Middle East is expected to be heavily impacted by climate change, with warming occurring twice as fast as the global average. This will lead to an increase in extreme events such as floods.
Furthermore, the overexploitation of aquifers to meet agricultural needs, which account for 85% of water consumption in the Middle East and North Africa, poses a significant challenge. Unequal digital transformation and an inefficient distribution system also contribute to water scarcity due to leaks.
Opportunities of Digital Transformation
To address these challenges, digital transformation of water utilities is imperative to improve water management efficiency, sustainability, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Some opportunities offered by digital transformation in the Middle East include:
- Resource monitoring and smart management: Digital transformation enables innovative solutions for monitoring resources and optimizing water distribution. It provides a better understanding of consumption patterns, early leak detection, and optimization of water distribution.
- Managing big data: The collection of data from various sources allows for a holistic view of the water situation in the region. This includes data from sensors, meters, and geographic information systems (GIS). Proper data architecture is crucial for effective data sharing and analysis across different departments.
- Hydraulic efficiency of irrigation networks: Technologies like machine learning, artificial intelligence, and IoT can improve the hydraulic efficiency of irrigation networks. Soil moisture and weather sensors can optimize irrigation to supply the right amount of water at the right time. Remote control of assets and alarms for leak detection enhance water availability and reduce the need for additional water production.
- Cybersecurity: With increased connectivity and smart devices, cybersecurity becomes critical to protect water utilities’ systems and data. Implementing robust security measures, such as encryption systems and constant network monitoring, safeguards water infrastructure and related data.
Investing in water, as stated by the World Bank, is a profitable venture that focuses on people, education, infrastructure, and water recycling. However, prioritizing the digital transformation of water utilities is essential to address the challenges faced by the Middle East and North Africa, two of the most at-risk regions in the world.
