Turning The Tide On Water Scarcity With High-Efficiency Technology
By Luca Rizzo

According to UNICEF, nearly two-thirds of the global population — 4 billion people — experience severe water scarcity for at least one month each year. The organisation’s projections indicate that by as early as this year, half of the world could be living in areas facing water scarcity.
As climate change exacerbates our access to water and places increased demand on the water sector, the need for decarbonization in water management has become an urgent priority. This challenge is compounded by the water sector’s substantial energy usage, which accounts for 4% of global electricity consumption and 2–3% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
However, the road to sustainable water management is fraught with obstacles. Chief among these is aging infrastructure in water systems. Legacy systems and outdated facilities are plagued by leaks. Additional stress on water systems is caused by extreme weather events prompted by climate change, causing an urgent demand for modernization to ensure reliable, continuous service and cost-efficient pumping systems. Addressing these issues requires innovative solutions such as high-efficiency motors and variable speed drives that improve energy efficiency in water treatment processes and reduce energy consumption.
The Role Of High-Efficiency Motors And Variable Speed Drives
Installing or upgrading high-efficiency motors in water management reduces energy consumption and emissions throughout the water management process, from pumping stations to water treatment plants and irrigation systems. High-efficiency motors can optimise pumping systems used during water intake and treatment processes, which account for a large portion of energy use. According to the International Energy Agency, widespread adoption of high-efficiency motors could cut global electricity consumption by up to 10%. Furthermore, high-efficiency motors deliver significant savings on electrical energy costs, providing both environmental and economic benefits.
Additionally, the adoption of variable speed drives (VSDs) is crucial for motor optimization. VSDs allow the speed of pumps in water treatment plants to be controlled precisely to match demand and flow requirements and ensure that only necessary pumps operate at optimal speed. As a result, VSDs can produce projected energy savings of around 25% compared with solutions that use valves and throttling to regulate water flow. Controlling pump speeds and flow rate with VSDs also reduces pressure surges and water hammer effects in pipelines, which can lead to leaks or bursts and cause mechanical wear.
Additionally, VSDs provide precise measurement and control of water quality parameters within treatment processes, which are integral to support regulatory compliance and ensure early detection of issues like contamination. Beyond energy savings, VSDs also extend the lifespan of pumps, pipes, and valves, minimize maintenance costs, and enable real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance. The technology’s advanced features — sensor-less flow calculation, level control, soft pipe fill, dry run protection, quick ramps, and pump cleaning — safeguard against equipment failures. VSDs ensure water treatment facilities draw water efficiently from a source and transport treated water to reservoirs for distribution across regions, while reducing the risk of costly downtime.
Digital Connectivity: Enhancing Infrastructure Management
The integration of digital connectivity in high-efficiency motors and VSDs presents an innovative means to modernize water systems, part of an increasing wave of modernisation throughout the sector. Importantly, the connectivity between both technologies enables remote monitoring of geographically dispersed infrastructure, allowing for quick responses to issues such as leaks or system malfunctions. They also enable companies to measure, store data and track water flow passing through their pipes in real time. Data-driven maintenance decisions, made possible by real-time analytics, enable efficient pumping processes and further reduce energy consumption — by up to 40% in some cases. These technological advancements ensure that water infrastructure remains resilient and adaptive to changing demands brought on by droughts, flooding or prolonged heat, and simplifies adoption for industries and municipalities.
For instance, a partnership between the Saigon Environmental Technology & Construction Corporation (SENCO) and ABB has allowed SENCO to optimize the performance of their Quy Nhon plant and reduce operational complexity, with a goal of providing access to clean water for up to 83% of its residents by 2025. The design of the VSD, combined with high motor efficiency, increases the efficiency of the plant’s water inlet pumping station, optimizes processes, and lowers total cost of ownership, overall improving the delivery of clean water for the Quy Nhon city and nearby industrial areas.
Future Investment
The need for efficient, sustainable and resilient water systems to address challenges such as water scarcity and aging infrastructure is driving a growing trend for automation and digitalization in the global water industry.
To secure a sustainable future for the water industry and future generations, continued investment in modern, energy-efficient technology is imperative. By adopting high-efficiency motors and VSDs, especially in an integrated solution, the industry can significantly reduce its environmental footprint while ensuring a consistent and safe water supply.
As the global population grows and climate change intensifies, the demand for water will only increase. Meeting this demand sustainably requires a commitment to modernizing infrastructure and leveraging cutting-edge technology. Through these efforts, we can create resilient water systems that support both people and the planet, proving that innovation is the key to overcoming the challenges of water scarcity.
Luca Rizzo is the Global Industry Segment Manager for ABB.