Digital Transformation of the Australian Water and Wastewater Sector, Forecast to 2028

Persisting wetter-than-normal conditions currently (thanks to La Ni?a) tend to obscure the fact that water and wastewater utilities and councils in Australia still have to contend with water quality challenges due to excessive rainfall and flooding over the short term, as well as extreme climate variability over the long term. They are also grappling with how best to improve liveability outcomes for their customers.

As they seek to redefine their role in the community, water and wastewater utilities and councils realise that ageing infrastructure, the ageing workforce and shortage of skilled staff, as well as budgetary pressures cannot be wished away. To help address these formidable challenges, the industry has for some time been exploring the leverage of advanced digital technologies.

'Digital transformation' may have become a much used (and abused) term, but digital technologies if leveraged right, can not only help minimise carbon emissions and extreme event damage to assets, but also inform the design and management of future-proofing infrastructure. ?They can improve reliability of water supply, reduce non-revenue water losses, as well as enhance the productivity and safety of the workforce.

This strong case for digital transformation is being bolstered by a number of Australian utilities and councils who are?enhancing operational and service outcomes through the use of artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, drones, digital twins, wearables, augmented reality (AR), advanced modelling, smart sensing, and smart water meters.

Frost & Sullivan's latest research on this theme - titled 'Digital Transformation of the Australian Water and Wastewater Sector, Forecast to 2028' - outlines the key factors stimulating uptake of digital tools by water and wastewater utilities and councils. It also looks at the barriers hindering digital transformation in the sector. Based on analyst interviews with digital technology vendors and an extensive scan of Frost & Sullivan's in-house databases, as well as relevant industry sources, the study sizes the total sector spend on ICT solutions and projects the growth rate to 2028. The total spend is split by hardware, software, services, and on-site communications. In addition, the percentage split of components that go into smart water meters solutions and intelligent water network solutions, along with trends in these two segments are outlined. The competitive landscape is analysed in terms of industry structure, as well as competitive factors and tools. Case studies highlight Australian sector innovation in the leverage of diverse digital technologies. Finally, recommendations on specific growth opportunities are provided to maximise on the opportunities ahead.

To find out more about the report 'Digital Transformation of the Australian Water and Wastewater Sector, Forecast to 2028', email [email protected]