WATER. Water Industry Organisations. WaterPartners International. Living Water International. Water gets smart: 31 million digital meters expected by 2016. With so much buzz surrounding the development of a cleaner and more efficient electrical grid, only a few analysts have questioned the need for similar smart infrastructure for water. But several companies, including IBM, are already leading a wave of innovation aimed at improving measurement and management tools for water. Spotting this swelling interest, Pike Research released a report predicting that there will be 31.8 million smart meters worldwide by 2016, up from the 5.2 million meters already in place in 2009.
It also said that 31 percent of all new water meters delivered will be digital, allowing for two-way communication between meters, utilities and even consumers. Like businesses and utilities already jumping into the smart water movement, Pike sees water shortages as a prime motivator for accelerated innovation.
With water supplies drying up, utilities are moving fast to encourage conservation and eliminate systemic problems. Over 5,000 children die every day as a result o... Water footprint and virtual water.