The role of advanced technologies in ensuring water security
Key Highlights
- Advanced digital dosing systems provide precise chemical management, ensuring process reliability and reducing energy and chemical costs.
- Digital twin technology enables predictive planning and scenario simulation, minimizing operational disruptions and optimizing treatment processes.
- Modern systems help utilities meet new EPA standards for PFAS, lead, and copper removal through complex treatment trains including microfiltration and UV disinfection.
As we mark World Water Day 2026, the UN day to raise awareness of the global water crisis, at Grundfos we are reflecting on the value of the world’s most precious resource, and the vital role that technology will play in its safeguarding for the future.
In 2026, the water we move and treat is more chemically and biologically complex than it has been, as extreme weather and rising temperatures have played their part in reducing the quality of source water across the United States and the world. The combination of nutrient runoff, droughts, and rising salinity have changed baseline water characteristics in ways that traditional treatment models were not designed to address. Add into this an increase in industrial activity and rapid urbanization, the result is a landscape where utilities are treating more variable and challenging water than was common even a decade ago.
Moreover, over the last few years several states have finalized regulations that allow for direct potable reuse (DPR), where treated water enters the supply directly from treatment, rather than indirect potable reuse (IPR), where the water is first filtered through aquifers or reservoirs. Against this backdrop it becomes clear that advanced treatment technologies are essential to make our water reuse systems more reliable.
Precision via digital dosing
Reliability in water reuse needs precision. Advanced digital dosing systems are just one of the key pieces of technology which are revolutionising water reuse for municipal utilities. These systems give us precise chemical management that ensures process reliability while slashing energy costs in potable reuse. Beyond cost savings, these innovative systems ensure the consistent removal of pathogens and contaminants by automatically adjusting chemical delivery while optimizing the chemical consumption for other operations like advanced oxidation processes (AOP), stabilization, remineralization or membrane cleaning. This real-time adaptability prevents failures in both direct potable reuse (DPR) and indirect potable reuse.
Bridging data silos with digital twins
Bridging data silos between wastewater and drinking water operations is fundamental for water reuse systems. Advanced systems use digital twin technology which simulates scenarios and responses before they are applied in the real world. This means utilities can shift toward predictive planning, aligning pumping and treatment without operational disruptions. By analyzing real time data such as pressure, flow, pH, and conductivity, these technologies optimize dosing, removing the trial and error associated with high variability water sources.
Meeting new regulatory requirements
The landscape is becoming even more complex with new EPA standards for PFAS and lead and copper removal. To comply with these regulations, treatment plants need to be making use of advanced processes like AOP and granular activated carbon (GAC). Modern advanced pumping and dosing systems are essential for these processes, providing precise reagents such as coagulants for GAC or hydrogen peroxide for AOP. These technologies are the basis of complex treatment trains that include microfiltration, ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis, and UV disinfection. This combination provides reliable pathogen reduction and contaminant elimination, turning reused water into safe, potable supply.
Driving efficiencies with Variable Frequency Drives
Energy intensive steps such as membrane cleaning make up the bulk of the costs associated with water reuse. Pairing smart digital dosing with high-efficiency pumps equipped with variable frequency drives (VFDs) can mean we can match flow to demand, typically providing between 30-50% in energy savings (Department of Energy).
In addition, the production of treatment chemicals is also a resource intensive process in its own right. Through digital dosing, chemical consumption can be reduced by up to 30% via sensor feedback, which matches inputs to real time needs. This not only cuts the utility’s direct energy bill but also reduces the indirect carbon footprint of the entire supply chain. Predictive analytics can also further refine flows, reducing cleaning cycles in RO systems and minimising booster pump use for high recoveries above 90%.
Asset reliability and infrastructure resilience
Modern digital systems have enabled a shift in the way we maintain systems from reactive to proactive maintenance that minimises downtime and prevents supply disruptions. Using real time data means the integrated sensors can identify potential issues days or even weeks before a catastrophic failure occurs, allowing for scheduled interventions that prevent the service disruptions and high costs associated with emergency shutdowns.
Beyond immediate uptime, precision in dosing is a driver of long term infrastructure health. Over-application of chemicals, a common byproduct of legacy systems, accelerates the corrosion of pipes and distribution networks. It can even make the water unsafe to drink, meaning it needs to be purged from the system into the natural water environment. By maintaining chemical concentrations within a strict, optimized range, utilities can significantly extend the operational life of their assets and reduce the total cost of ownership in high demand environments.
The evolution of the utility operator
The integration of advanced pumping and treatment is redefining the role of the municipal operator, evolving the position from a manual technician to a strategic ‘system overseer’. Automation can look after the minute-by-minute adjustments, allowing teams to focus on high level system optimization and long term resource planning.
As we navigate the complexities of 2026, the traditional treat and discharge model is being phased out in favor of a circular water economy, which has now become a necessity for municipal resilience. By integrating advanced pumping and dosing systems with the predictive power of digital twins, municipal utilities can redefine the reliability of our most vital resource. In this new era of water management, technology acts as the ultimate safeguard, ensuring that every drop reused is a drop we can trust.
About the Author
Xavier Belda Camps
With over two decades of diverse experience as an MSc Environmental Civil Engineer, Xavier Belda Camps has built a robust career spanning consultancy, project execution, and working for administrations, and is now driving efforts on the supplier side. As Lead Application Solution Manager at Grundfos, Water Utility Division, he is at the forefront of driving innovation and growth within Water Utility and Water Treatment solutions, with a strategic focus on Wastewater Reuse and circularity. His expertise covers identifying new opportunities and aligning global capabilities with market demands across the entire water cycle—from source to tap, and the critical transition from wastewater back to high-value reuse. Xavier is passionate about developing impactful strategies that close the water loop. By building strong relationships and leveraging technical application know-how, he continually seeks to add value and drive sustainable business growth in an increasingly water-stressed world.