IWA has published 45 blogs throughout 2019 and they have altogether garnered an impressive 25K views. We are grateful for the contributions from our bloggers and for our readers. Thanks to you, the IWA blog has become a reference for those with a thirst for communicating and learning about water, and for those wanting to discuss issues from different angles. Here are the top 5 of our most read blogs in 2019. Thank you all for your engaging interest!

1. Running out of Water: Cities shifting from 24/7 to intermittent water supply

Do you live in a city where drinking water is available 24×7?  Then, you are quite blessed!

Hassan Aboelnga finds, in what’s becoming an increasingly common story, many cities today are at risk of running out of water, with water availability now cited as one of the greatest risks to business continuity and growth. Latest cases that made the international headlines are Chennai (India), and Cape Town (South Africa).

A severe water shortage is stalking many cities, there are already about 1.2 billion people globally, or almost one-fifth of the world’s population, live in areas of physical scarcity, and 500 million people are approaching this situation. Read more…

2.  Current and future challenges for water resources management 

Aaron Burton was recently asked to present on the current and future challenges for a water resources manager to address. We have seen a great deal of change and progress in how we plan for water resources in England over the last decade.

This blog post summarises some of the key challenges I highlighted in my presentation. He outlines some of the current and future pressures faced by water resources managers in England.

He states, that we are facing increasing pressures on water resources,  that there is increasing complexity of water resources planning and regional engagement, that transitions are required for resilient water supplies and wider sustainable water management (addressing flooding, water quality etc.), and that these challenges are opportunities to improve outcomes for customers, the environment and business.  Read more…

3.  Are microplastics a challenge for wastewater treatment?

Julia Talvitie and Riku Vahala find that the plastic problem and the toll it has taken on the world’s ocean ecosphere has been well documented. There are no lack of distressing images shown in the news of the seas strewn with plastic waste, and of sea animals suffocating in it. However, in the past few decades, there has been increased attention on what we do not see.

Microplastics (plastic particles less than 5 millimetres in size,) have been found everywhere: the bottom of the seas and the tops of mountains, in the air that we breathe and in rainwater. But they also run in our wastewaters. Read more ….

4.  AI basics for advanced water wise utilities – Part 1 

Emma Weisbord finds, that Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a ubiquitous plot point across sectors when digital revolution leaders speak about the future of their industry. Whether it was first introduced to you via pop culture or as a real-world solution to pressing global challenges, AI is now part of our digital vocabulary.

For the water sector, implementing AI for water will, amongst other benefits, allow water professionals to efficiently utilise their data deluge to make better decisions. This blog series aims to build understanding of AI in its current market ready state, introduce examples of applications across the water sector, and question the future of AI for water. Read more …

5. Data is the new water: Data revolutions to ensure no one is left behind and achieve SDG 6  

Hassan Aboelnga states, that as countries across the world increasingly experience water scarcity, the ‘water-is-the-new-oil’ adage has come to the fore thousand times. So too has ‘data-is-the-new-oil’, this time to reflect the immense commercial value of data in a global digital economy.

If we were to think of data as the new water instead, it may take us to ponder over the way data can help facilitate sustainable management of water resources, more efficient use of water, and ultimately, democratise access to safe drinking water and sanitation so that no one is left behind.

In 1993 the United Nations designated 22^nd of March as World Water Day as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. Read more…