Infrasync Newsletter #23 - Water Utility Data - Independent System vs Connected vs Centralized

There are over 150,000 water and wastewater utilities in the USA. Each of those has a different software and data stack. I’ll admit, many of those utilities are about as simple as a well and a pressure tank and don’t require any software but about 20,000 of those utilities serve thousands or more customers. They have metering, customer service, GIS, SCADA, modeling, sensor data, and other information to all effectively run the utility. This is even more complicated when you expand into wastewater or stormwater all at the same utility.

There is a progression from Independent → Connected → Centralized.

Independent Systems: The Old Yet Reliable Way

The first image shows what many utilities are still grappling with today - a collection of independent systems that were built for specific functions and uses. They typically work very well in their original uses and are very reliable. You've got your customer metering, billing, distribution monitoring, and treatment plant controls all operating reliably but in isolation.

Each system has its own stack - sensors and hardware at the bottom, a data management layer in the middle, and some kind of dashboard or analytics tool on top. It gets the job done, but it's inefficient. Your customer service team can't easily access real-time usage data. Your operations folks don't have visibility into billing issues that might explain usage anomalies. You're leaving valuable insights on the table.

As-Needed Connected Systems: A Step in the Right Direction

The second image shows an "as-needed" connected approach. Here, we start to see some integration between systems. The data management layers can now communicate, allowing for some cross-system analytics and data sharing. Many utilities are at this step in bringing data together. There isn’t really a master plan but more of an as-needed approach to getting data connected.

This is a big improvement. Now your customer service reps can potentially see both billing and real-time usage data. Your operations team might be able to correlate pressure issues with customer complaints. But it's still not perfect - the connections are ad-hoc and likely require a lot of custom integration work. Also the data quality is typically lacking for other uses.

Centralized Systems: The Future of Water Management

The third image represents where the industry is heading - a fully centralized architecture. Instead of maintaining separate data silos for each function, everything flows into a central data hub. Each department gives up some of their autonomy in exchange for more open access across the organization of data. This approach offers some huge advantages:

1. True data integration: All your systems can now easily share data, enabling powerful cross-functional analytics and insights.

2. Simplified infrastructure: Instead of managing multiple separate databases and integration points, you have a single, robust data platform.

3. Enhanced security: Centralizing your data makes it easier to implement strong, consistent security measures across all systems.

4. Scalability: Adding new systems or data sources becomes much simpler when you have a central integration point.

5. Real-time capabilities: With all your data in one place, you can build real-time dashboards and alerts that span your entire operation.

NOTE – Plant Controls is typically still kept 100% separate and on-site for cyber security reasons. The data is copied and available for all in the utility, but controls are on-premise only. Some utilities are moving forward with heavy cyber-security including physical one-way data gap equipment but most utilities are best served by keeping that part separate.

What’s Next?

So, where does your utility fall on this spectrum? If you're still dealing with independent systems, don't worry - you're not alone. The key is to start planning your roadmap towards a more integrated future.

Begin by identifying your most critical data sharing needs. Maybe it's connecting your SCADA system to your customer information system to improve leak detection. Or perhaps it's integrating your work order management with your GIS to optimize field operations.

Start small, prove the value, and then gradually expand. As you build these connections, keep the end goal of a centralized architecture in mind. Choose technologies and approaches that will support that long-term vision.

Remember, this isn't just about technology - it's about breaking down organizational silos too. Encourage collaboration between your IT, operations, and customer service teams. The real power of integrated systems comes when you combine data insights with on-the-ground expertise.

The water industry faces huge challenges in the coming decades - aging infrastructure, climate change, and increasing regulatory pressures. By moving towards more integrated, data-driven operations, utilities will be better positioned to tackle these issues head-on. The future of water is connected, and the time to start preparing is now.

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Are you working to help your utility or technology company take the next step forward? If you want to talk through a challenge or share something interesting your team did please shoot me a note at [email protected] or schedule a utility technology review here.