Southern Nevada Water Authority, WaterStart Pilot Intelligent Water System Solution
Applying an emerging, innovative digital solution for water utilities, WaterStart and the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) have partnered with Xylem, a leading water technology company, to pilot test Xylem’s Water Network Optimization solution, part of the Xylem Vue digital portfolio, aimed at helping increase efficiencies and optimize the operation of Southern Nevada’s water systems. Through the joint test project, SNWA will evaluate the capabilities of the Water Network Optimization solution to improve energy management strategies, enhance system performance, and reduce operating and maintenance costs of Southern Nevada’s regional water system.
“Southern Nevada’s regional water system is multi-faceted and highly advanced with complex infrastructure networks and system controls that help ensure safe and reliable distribution of high-quality water throughout our community,” said Dave Johnson, SNWA Deputy General Manager of Operations. “While our system is quite efficient, this pilot project will enhance our operations through water system modeling, allowing us to increase operational efficiencies that benefit local water users and rate payers.”
Through this partnership, Xylem will develop a real-time, highly-accurate model of SNWA’s water system that integrates operational data to help SNWA optimize operational processes, reduce energy use, assess water infrastructure condition, and/or address complex operational challenges in a safe and controlled environment. The Xylem system will help guide existing SNWA operations staff with timely recommendations.
“Xylem’s Water Network Optimization solution uses operational systems, GIS, and sensor data combined with hydraulic modeling to study and manage the water system as a whole. Up until now, there hasn’t been anything overarching for complex water systems like that operated by SNWA,” said WaterStart Executive Director Nathan Allen. “If successful, this joint test project may help revolutionize how the water industry manages its operations.”
In addition to enhancing operations and energy management efficiencies, Xylem’s intelligent water technology can also help water utilities improve water demand forecasting and perform real-time water quality optimization throughout a utility’s water delivery system.
“We are delivering an intelligent technology solution that helps water utilities like SNWA make informed decisions about their operations,” said Rocio Echeverria, Vice President and General Manager at Xylem. “This provides water utilities with greater certainty about their system operations and increases the reliability of water service for customers. We look forward to leveraging our solution in new ways that will benefit SNWA as well as other utilities around the world.”
The SNWA expects the intelligent water system joint test project to be completed in 2022.
About SNWA
The SNWA is a regional nonprofit water agency that manages water conservation, water quality and water resource issues for Southern Nevada. Its members include the Big Bend Water District (Laughlin); the cities of Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, and North Las Vegas; the Clark County Reclamation District; and the Las Vegas Valley Water District. For more information, visit snwa.com.
About WaterStart
WaterStart is a cluster of global leaders in the implementation of water innovation. Based in Las Vegas, WaterStart leverages the strategic resources and expertise of its network to evaluate and demonstrate the performance of water innovation. As a channel for innovation, WaterStart accelerates the rate of adoption of new solutions to real challenges facing water management agencies and large consumers. For more information, visit waterstart.com.
About Xylem
Xylem (XYL) is a leading global water technology company committed to solving critical water and infrastructure challenges with innovation. Our more than 16,000 diverse employees delivered revenue of $4.88 billion in 2020. We are creating a more sustainable world by enabling our customers to optimize water and resource management, and helping communities in more than 150 countries become water-secure. Join us at www.xylem.com.