Harnessing the power of IoT for sustainable water management

The global water crisis is pressing, climate change intensifying, thus sustainable water management has become critical. Unity4Water is an initiative focused on revolutionizing water conservation and management, with an expertise of leading technology partners. One of the key players in this project is Sensative, a Swedish company specializing in IoT (Internet of Things) solutions. Sensative’s innovative technology offers a new approach to tackling water pollution and enhancing resource management, promising long-term sustainability for coastal regions and beyond.

Managing water systems is often a complex task, especially when considering the size and scale of projects like Unity4Water. Sensative is contributing a suite of IoT solutions aimed at monitoring and optimizing water quality and distribution. 

– We develop gas sensors and an IoT platform that we provide together with our sensor and connectivity expertise to the project. Our sensors will be used to research the ability to detect pollution and bacteria in the water. This technology allows for real-time monitoring and the early detection of potential hazards, a crucial factor in protecting water resources and ensuring public health, explains Mats Pettersson, co-founder and CTO at Sensative.

Despite their technological prowess, integrating new IoT systems with existing infrastructure is no small feat. Sensative has faced several hurdles along the way. One significant challenge has been the lack of access to documentation for legacy systems, which are often outdated or poorly documented. Another has been the allocation of resources needed to retrofit or upgrade these systems for modern IoT compatibility.

– It’s about breaking down silos and eliminating technology lock-ins. By ensuring that data from various sources can be securely accessed and standardized across platforms, Sensative is making it easier to fully utilize the information while respecting privacy concerns, says Mats Pettersson.

One of the overarching goals of Unity4Water is to improve water conservation through the application of digital solutions. Sensative’s contribution to this goal is grounded in the belief that long-term sustainability can only be achieved by moving beyond fragmented systems. Their IoT platform enables cities and utilities to manage not just water, but also other critical resources like energy and waste.

– This is 100% our focus. It doesn’t matter if the challenge is water, CO2, or something else. The only way to achieve sustainable solutions is by ensuring secure and managed data access across different domains. By breaking down technological silos, Sensative’s platform can support cities in making more informed decisions about water conservation and management, ensures Mats Pettersson.

Collaboration has been essential to Sensative’s success in Unity4Water. Working closely with research institutes like RISE – Research Institutes of Sweden and university researchers, Sensative has integrated its technology with academic insights to create a holistic approach to water management. This synergy has been crucial in delivering innovative solutions that address real-world challenges.

– We hope that we can provide the digital solution enabling and empowering researchers to secure a sustainable coast, says Mats Pettersson, underscoring the long-term impact of their contributions.