Introduction
Aging infrastructure is one of the biggest challenges facing water utilities today. Across the globe, decades-old pipes, pumps, and treatment facilities are struggling to keep up with growing demand. The result? More frequent breakdowns, costly emergency repairs, and billions of gallons of lost water each year.
At Waltero, we believe that the key to overcoming these challenges lies in smart utility asset management—a shift from reactive maintenance to predictive, data-driven decision-making with streamlined access to asset data.
In this article, we’ll explore how utilities can modernize their asset management approach and why digitization is the future of sustainable water distribution.
Understanding Utility Asset Management
Utility asset management is a strategic process that enables utility companies to manage their physical assets and infrastructure effectively. It involves tracking the lifecycle of assets, from procurement to disposal, and ensuring that they are maintained and operated in a way that maximizes their performance and extends their lifespan. Effective utility asset management is critical to ensuring the reliability and efficiency of utility services, as well as compliance with regulatory requirements.
With the right utility asset management, utilities can anticipate failures before they happen, optimize their maintenance strategies, and extend the lifespan of critical infrastructure. Effective asset lifecycle management is crucial for ensuring reliability and cost-effectiveness in managing utility assets.
Leveraging our industry expertise, Waltero provides specialized knowledge to enhance the implementation process and optimize asset management strategies.
The High Cost of Aging Water Infrastructure
Understanding the Problem
Water infrastructure in many parts of the world was built over 50–100 years ago. These aging systems were not designed to handle today’s urban growth, climate pressures, and increasing operational demands.
Frequent Pipe Breaks: The U.S. alone experiences a water main break every two minutes, leading to 6 billion gallons of treated water wasted each day.
Soaring Repair Costs: Emergency pipe bursts and pump failures cost North American utilities $2.6 billion annually in repairs.
Non-Revenue Water (NRW): On average, utilities lose 25–30% of their treated water due to leaks, inaccurate metering, or theft.
Regulatory and Compliance Risks: Failing infrastructure can lead to water quality violations, resulting in fines and reputational damage.
Given these challenges, utilities can no longer afford to rely on outdated, reactive maintenance strategies.
The industry is shifting towards data-driven asset management, where AI, IoT, and predictive analytics enable smarter decision-making. Preventive maintenance is a key strategy to address aging infrastructure issues, reduce downtime, and extend asset life.
Digital Transformation: The Future of Utility Asset Management
From Reactive to Predictive Maintenance to Extend Asset Life
Historically, utilities have followed a “run to failure” approach—fixing infrastructure only after it breaks. This method leads to unplanned downtime, customer service disruptions, and excessive maintenance costs.
A smarter approach is predictive maintenance, which uses IoT sensors and AI analytics to detect early signs of asset deterioration. For example:
IoT Sensors: Installed on pipes, pumps, and valves, these devices continuously monitor pressure, flow, and temperature changes.
Edge AI: Processes data locally and alerts utility operators of potential failures before they occur.
Predictive Analytics: Uses historical and real-time data to estimate asset lifespan and schedule proactive maintenance.
By switching to predictive maintenance, utilities can reduce emergency repairs by 40%, extend asset life and extend the lifespan of infrastructure by up to 20%.
Smart Water Networks & Real-Time Monitoring
A smart water network integrates sensors, software, and AI to provide real-time insights into utility operations. This allows for:
Automated Leak Detection: AI-driven acoustic sensors detect leaks long before they surface.
Remote Asset Monitoring: Utilities can track pump efficiency, valve performance, and pressure fluctuations from a centralized dashboard.
Optimized Water Distribution: AI models help utilities adjust pressure levels dynamically, reducing stress on aging pipes.
For example, a utility that implemented a smart monitoring system with real-time access to asset data reduced its non-revenue water from 25% to 15%, saving millions of gallons annually.
Asset Performance Management
Asset performance management (APM) is a key aspect of utility asset management. It involves using data analytics, condition monitoring, and predictive maintenance to optimize the performance of assets and minimize the risk of failure. APM enables utility companies to make informed decisions about maintenance and investment, and to prioritize their resources effectively. By implementing APM, utility companies can improve the reliability and efficiency of their assets, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction.
Asset Management Software for Utilities
Asset management software is a critical tool for utility companies, enabling them to manage their assets effectively and efficiently. Utility asset management software provides a range of features, including asset tracking, maintenance scheduling, and performance reporting. It also enables utility companies to integrate data from different sources, such as sensors and SCADA systems, to gain a comprehensive view of their assets. By using asset management software, utility companies can improve their asset performance, reduce costs, and enhance regulatory compliance.
Waltero’s Approach to Utility Asset Management
At Waltero, we specialize in digitizing legacy water infrastructure without requiring a complete system overhaul, addressing the unique challenges faced by the utility sector. Our technology empowers utilities to modernize their asset management with minimal capital investment.
Edge AI & IoT for Smarter Decision-Making
Unlike traditional cloud-based analytics, our Edge AI technology processes data directly at the device level with the help of our cloud system the W-Cloud. This enables real-time asset lifecycle monitoring, ensuring efficient operation, maintenance, and management of electricity-related assets without the latency or connectivity issues of centralized cloud computing.
- Leak Detection: Waltero’s AI sensors analyze pressure changes, vibration patterns, and sound waves to identify leaks early.
- Edge AI Self-Learning System & IoT: Harness IoT, Machine Learning, and AI to revolutionize data management. Our AI-driven solution adapts to your needs.
- Smart Metering Device & Solution: The W-Sensor, an AI-driven smart meter, along with the W-Solution deliver predictive insights and automate tasks to enhance productivity and decision-making and enable remote monitoring and accurate billing.
Why Utilities Choose Waltero’s Utility Asset Management Software
Scalable Solutions: Our utility asset management software integrates with existing infrastructure, reducing the need for costly replacements.
Predictive Insights: AI-powered analytics forecast maintenance needs, allowing utilities to act before problems arise.
Compliance & Reporting: Automates regulatory reporting, ensuring data accuracy and audit readiness.
Operational Savings: Leveraging Waltero’s industry expertise, our solutions have helped utilities cut maintenance costs by 30% and reduce downtime by 50%.
The Business Case for Digital Utility Asset Management
Investing in modern asset management solutions isn’t just about fixing today’s problems—it’s about future-proofing operations in the utility industry. Utilities that adopt AI-driven monitoring and predictive analytics see tangible benefits, including:
Lower Operational Costs: Fewer emergency repairs and optimized maintenance schedules.
Improved Water Conservation: Reduced leaks mean less wasted water and lower treatment costs.
Regulatory Compliance: Automated data collection simplifies reporting and ensures standards are met.
Increased Customer Satisfaction: Fewer service disruptions and more accurate billing lead to higher trust in utilities.
Conclusion
Aging water infrastructure is a complex challenge, but the solution is clear: modernize with data-driven, AI-powered asset management. At Waltero, we help utilities turn legacy infrastructure into a smart, responsive network, optimizing every drop of water.
Want to learn more? Explore our Exploratory Kit to see how Waltero can help your utility embrace the future of asset management.
Johan Nordén – Vice President Research & Development, Waltero
With a PhD in Optics and Solar Energy and years of applied experience in computer vision, Johan guides Waltero’s technical roadmap for AI-powered analytics across edge, on-prem, and cloud environments. His deep knowledge of imaging systems and optical technologies ensures that our monitoring and vision solutions deliver unmatched precision and operational impact.
