Arizona’s Water Tech Economy Offers Promise to Mitigate Impact of Drought

While we can thank El Ni?o for winter rains throughout the West, most experts agree that the drought is far from over. In fact, many scientists warn that dryer conditions may be the new norm. Population growth in Arizona, California, Nevada and other Western states will further strain available water resources.

Rather than succumb to despair, savvy businesses and enterprising individuals will do what they do best: Innovate and develop new technologies. Thanks to our rich history in water management and our entrepreneurial spirit, Arizona is uniquely positioned to become a leader in emerging Water Tech industries.

Here are the Top 5 Strategies for leveraging technology to secure our water future:

1. Conservation – One example comes from smart meter technology. These advanced meters can detect leaky pipes and excessive usage. New technology enables smart meters to communicate wirelessly over existing cellular data networks, virtually eliminating the need for additional infrastructure investments. Web-based analytics enable customers to visualize the data and make wiser decisions. An Israeli start up, TaKaDu, has taken this even farther with smart sensors that utilize mathematical algorithms to help water utilities detect and prevent leaks in their pipelines and valves.
2. Allocation – A reasonable argument can be made that enough water exists, but that it is often misallocated to low value uses. Subsidized pricing and the absence of robust water markets all contribute to inefficiencies in the way water is allocated. Technology can improve pricing mechanisms so that water users pay variable prices depending on supply and demand. Technology is also necessary to develop the tools for trading water among willing buyers and sellers as well as those looking for shorter-term leases.
3. Reuse and Recycling – Greywater is already being used for a variety of non-potable purposes, such as irrigation for golf courses. But the potential to recycle water on a much greater scale exists. Locally, Peoria’s Butler Water Reclamation facility treats 7 million gallons of water daily using advanced membrane bioreactor technology to clean and recycle waste water.

Solar-powered water purification technology offers small-scale, virtually waste-free purification of used irrigation water. Given that agriculture uses between 70% and 80% of all water throughout the West, the possibility of reusing a portion of this water for industrial or municipal use could be a game changer.

We often think of rainwater harvesting in terms of keeping barrels in our backyards to capture drops of rain. However, new thinking is expanding the concept to a much grander scale. Recently Los Angeles unveiled a Stormwater Capture Plan designed to capture runoff and use it to replenish depleted aquifers.

4. Augmentation - Desalination holds considerable promise for its ability to convert ocean water into potable water. However, cost is preventing its widespread adoption, especially in places like Arizona that are not located by the sea. Technology will be key to streamlining the desalination process, overcoming transport barriers and determining environmentally acceptable ways to dispose of the leftover brine.

5. Data Analytics – We regularly hear new uses for “big data.” One of the more promising areas is in water resources management. Integrated decision making across governmental jurisdictions and between private entities may make it possible to optimize resource management, efficiency and conservation. Currently, most systems can’t communicate with each other, which makes collaboration and data sharing cumbersome. However, new ways of integrating technology across multiple platforms are beginning to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and, in turn, enhancing the ability to predict outcomes under various scenarios and mitigate risks.

Meanwhile, NASA’s GRACE satellite is working to map and monitor groundwater basins around the planet, with projects from Pakistan to the Amazon basin in South America. Policy makers and private companies can utilize the data from this project to determine where to invest scarce resources.

More ideas and potential solutions undoubtedly already exist or will soon be discovered. Each will require investment and public policies that support their development. Future columns will dig into each of the Top 5 Strategies in greater detail and explore public policy changes and investments that could help position Arizona to lead in these emerging markets.