The water sector is at a crossroads, with a growing recognition that traditional siloed approaches to water management are no longer sufficient. The One Water approach, which views water as a single, renewable resource with value in every part of its cycle, is gaining traction. However, institutional inertia and aging infrastructure present significant barriers to this transformation.
“Institutional silos have existed for decades, and it’s hard to break away from steady habits,” says a spokesperson from a leading water management consultancy. “New costs and addressing ageing infrastructure can also prevent some communities from shifting to a One Water approach.” Yet, the benefits are compelling. By integrating land- and water-use planning, incorporating natural water sources, and employing nature-based solutions, communities can promote water sustainability and economic growth.
The journey towards One Water is not without its challenges. Many utilities report low maturity in leveraging data, a critical component of modern water management. Nearly half of the respondents to a recent water report survey indicated that they are collecting a lot of data but not leveraging it effectively. This data deluge presents an opportunity for utilities to explore, assess, report, and forecast trends, evolving into organizations grounded in strong data management.
To harness the power of data, utilities need a well-structured home for their information—a Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS) aligned with business processes such as asset management, frameworks, and risk and maintenance strategies. Equally important is the need for a team of skilled stewards to manage and update the data. “A data strategy is not an out-of-the-box solution,” the spokesperson emphasizes. “In 2025, we see utilities revisiting their strategies and asking evolved questions such as, ‘What information is strategic? What data-driven decisions do we want to make as an organisation? What change management strategies can we deploy?'”
The shift towards digital water is not just about technology; it’s about people. “The focus should not just be on buying a CMMS but on effectively training people to maximise the power of the solutions,” the spokesperson notes. Data maturity means having both the system and the trained workforce to set up the system, download the information, and create learning systems and solid assessment and action processes for the data they collect.
This news shapes the development of the water sector by highlighting the need for a holistic approach to water management and the critical role of data in driving efficiency, sustainability, and resilience. As utilities grapple with these challenges, the path forward is clear: embrace the One Water approach, invest in robust data management systems, and prioritize workforce training. The future of water management lies in integration, innovation, and informed decision-making.