Most European municipalities today have ancient water and sewage systems, which are unable to handle growing populations and climate challenges. But there are solutions. Here are nine important reasons for investing in Smart Water.
Today’s water and sewage infrastructure was built several decades ago adapted for a certain future capacity. In 1940, Sweden's population was 6.3 million, in 2022 it is 10.4 million and in 2030 it is estimated to amount to 11 million, ie almost a doubling during these 90 years. The water and sewerage networks are not dimensioned for this. The growing urbanization is increasing the amounts of both wastewater and stormwater.
- The problem is that our cities are growing, and new residential areas are being added, with the result that the overflow challenges are only increasing. Add to that the expected impact of climate change on the country's water levels. Overflows and floods are a major future environmental threat, says Jonas Berggren, CEO of Calejo Hybrid Intelligence.
The negative effects of overflows and flooding of land, roads, infrastructure and properties are significant. It is manifested in extensive material damage, eutrophication, sewage odors, fish deaths and bathing bans.
- The societal costs and environmental problems associated with this are enormous, says Jonas Berggren.
Costly fines in Italy
The municipalities' big challenge then will be to constantly ensure that they do not have too much water in the pipes. One way to prevent this is to invest in newer and larger sewage treatment plants, as well as in new transmission lines, where the water is transferred from one area to another.
In the future, environmental legislators will also demand costly measures.
- It is an inevitable development, and these measures will cost huge sums for the municipalities. In Italy, for example, this is already a reality, says Jonas Berggren.
There is a solution
Calejo has, with the help of advanced AI, developed a technology for smarter and more optimized control of pumps and pumping stations to prevent overflow. It is a completely new intelligent water supply and sewerage platform for the municipalities under the name Smart Water.
- We can eliminate a significant part of the overflow - especially "first flush", which is the dirtiest part, says Jonas Berggren and concludes:
- The technology also contributes to increased energy efficiency and in the long term, the Smart Water platform will also be supplemented with optimization tools for drinking water and more efficient treatment at treatment plants.
Nine reasons for Smart Water
Here are nine arguments for installing Calejo’s new Smart Water solutions:
1. Optimized control to prevent leaks of wastewater.
2. Achieve lower operating costs through increased efficiency.
3. Large energy savings.
4. Major environmental benefits for communities.
5. Reduced need for new investments and reinvestments.
6. Increased knowledge of control systems and flow models.
7. Improved cooperation between different municipalities.
8. Improved forecasts and analyses.
9. Optimization of drinking water management and the operation of water treatment plants.
