Enrique Cabrera, IWA Vice President and Professor at Valencia University expresses that "the idea behind the Digital Water Summit is to bring those people together in a way that experiences can be shared, solutions can be explained, and do what we do best at IWA, which is sharing content and creating networking opportunities for those attending". The event will be co-organized by the International Water Association, Consorcio de Aguas Bilbao Bizkaia water utility and AEAS, the IWA Governing Member in Spain.
There is the necessity of water utilities to embrace digital solutions – smart and resilient water systems across the water value chain. This extends from ‘upstream’ supply – including basins, aquifers, potable reuse, desalination, or moisture capture – to ‘downstream’ utility operations and customers. The Summit is part of a wider initiative to provide a platform that helps utilities recognize emerging digital technologies and solutions, how they can be integrated across the utility value chain, help them learn from it, and help them adapt and embrace change to create value.
The engagement and commitment of incumbents, start-ups and entrants from other sectors is part of the success of digital water technology adoption. Water professionals often lack information technology skill sets and the perspective to appreciate what is possible, while technology entrepreneurs may not understand the nuances of complex water systems affected by multiple factors. Engaging beyond the water sector to maximize the potential of digital tools is crucial, as emphasized by Dragan Savic, CEO of KWR, who is leading the Digital Water Summit programme committee: "Collaboration between sectors will mean more effective application of new technologies for better management within and beyond our cities".
For more information please contact:
Joao Grilo, Joao.Grilo@iwahq.org Katharine Cross, Katharine.Cross@iwahq.org Rui Veras,  Rui.Veras@iwahq.org