Operational Intelligence In The Water Sector: Key Factors For Proactive Management

In an environment where efficiency and process agility are paramount in addressing diverse challenges, digitalization is not optional. Water management—confronted with climate impacts, aging infrastructure, and resource pressure—must prioritize operational efficiency to meet its objectives. (Sustainable Development Goal 6).

As Jaime Barba, Head of Xylem Vue, stated during his presentation at WEX Global 2025, “Digitalization has become a central pillar in water management. And the future of water will be digital, or it will not be.” In this context, Operational Intelligence (OI)—defined as a methodology that integrates real‑time data, advanced analytics, and business rules to generate automated responses or immediate alerts to operational events—emerges as a key enabler of the sector’s digital transformation.

More specifically, Operational Intelligence in the water domain relies on a combination of highly advanced technologies:

• Internet of Things (IoT): connected sensors generating real‑time data.
• Big Data: efficient processing of large volumes of hydraulic data.
• Cloud computing: scalable and flexible infrastructure.
• Streaming analytics: platforms such as Apache Kafka or Azure Stream.
• Digital twins: virtual models simulating the operation of networks and treatment plants.

Their efficiency is supported by the World Bank, which highlights in its report “People-centric and Technology-enabled Transformation for Izmir” that combining these technologies can improve operational efficiency by up to 25% in complex urban environments.

SERVICE OPERATION CENTER (SOC)

Operational Intelligence begins with a basic but critical premise: transforming the vast volume of data generated by sensors, SCADA systems, ERPs, GIS platforms, and IoT systems into useful, contextualized information for operational decision‑making. Unlike traditional monitoring approaches, applying Operational Intelligence in the water sector provides a holistic, real‑time view of the hydraulic system. This enables event anticipation, resource optimization, and cost reduction.

Pepe Chambó, Client Solutions Architect at Xylem Vue, highlights that beyond reducing operational costs and minimizing losses, Operational Intelligence “enables faster and more accurate decision‑making, greater transparency in management, improved compliance with regulation regarding quality and service continuity, and, above all, prepares water utilities to face the effects of climate change.” In his words: “Ultimately, the application of Operational Intelligence in water management supports the transition to a digital, efficient, and sustainable operational model.”

A core driver of this digital management model is the Service Operation Center (SOC), which functions as the central intelligence hub. According to Chambó, “the SOC is the nerve center of

operational intelligence, integrating data, analytics, and AI to equip operators with real‑time visibility, enabling effective prioritization of events, and serving as an intelligent decision‑support tool.”

With contextualized and structured data, the SOC does more than merely issue alerts—it evaluates potential scenarios and recommends specific actions, prioritized based on:

1. The operational criticality of the event
2. The estimated economic or energy impact
3. The operator’s historical experience
4. Real‑time network and supply conditions

FUTURE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Despite advancements, embedding Operational Intelligence as a sector standard still presents challenges. According to the Xylem Vue expert, there are three significant ones:

1. Organizational resistance to change. A shift in corporate culture is needed, including training operational personnel to use new digital tools.
2. Data governance stands out as a critical priority. “Data quality, traceability, and security are indispensable to ensure the reliability of models and operational recommendations,” underscores the expert.
3. Strategic vision. Chambó notes that the challenge is not only technical but also strategic: “Transforming data into useful knowledge requires a long‑term vision aligned with utilities’ sustainability, efficiency, and transparency goals—and society demands it too.”

Despite these challenges, Operational Intelligence in water management enables the translation of data into immediate action. Its integration supports predictive and automated management of networks, plants, and water resources. As cities and utilities progress in their digital transformation, this technology is poised to become a cornerstone of the future of water management.

Corporate information

Idrica is a leading international water technology company specializing in digital solutions. Headquartered in Valencia (Spain), it brings more than a decade of experience in water digitalization. Its team of over 200 experts is transforming the management of drinking water, wastewater and irrigation around the world.