GWF-Microsoft AI Collaboration Unlocks Millions of Liters of Water Savings.

Climate change is worsening global water scarcity, with forecasts suggesting that by 2050, around 75% of the world’s population may experience drought effects, particularly in the Global South, where water demand is expected to exceed supply. This crisis is aggravated by non-revenue water (NRW) losses, which account for 30 to 40% of treated drinking water lost due to leaks and other issues. Many cities are already facing regular water shortages as a result.

During this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos, GWF and Microsoft have announced a partnership to implement GWF BALANCE, an innovative AI-driven solution aimed at reducing water losses in distribution networks and improving community water access. This technology utilizes advanced data analytics and AI to evaluate leakage conditions in water distribution systems and identifies optimal pressure levels to minimize water loss while maintaining customer satisfaction and safety.

The solution offers several advantages, including a comprehensive view of the current NRW volume, an immediate reduction in pressure-related leaks of about 35%, all without the need for costly pipe replacements or additional infrastructure.

The GWF BALANCE initiative has already shown significant success in cities across South Africa, Europe, the UK, and the US.

This collaboration supports Microsoft’s aim to achieve water positivity by 2030, tackling global water issues through innovative partnerships and promoting locally relevant projects that deliver both environmental and social benefits, especially in the Global South. As urban areas worldwide confront similar challenges, this initiative will provide a scalable model for effective water conservation and management strategies in cities facing rising water stress.

The partnership encourages collective efforts from other companies seeking to enhance water access in communities and cities situated in high-risk water basins.

Eliza Roberts, Microsoft’s Water Lead, remarked: “We are thrilled to collaborate with GWF to harness AI for reducing water loss and increasing availability in regions facing water stress.”

Florian Strasser, CEO of GWF, expressed: “Our partnership with Microsoft presents a fantastic opportunity to expand our GWF BALANCE solution globally, positively influencing water resilience. We look forward to collaborating with utilities to support their ongoing NRW optimization through our quick-to-implement and impactful approach.”

The project has received strategic guidance from James Rees of Noverram, a consultancy known for delivering innovative and impactful projects in the water and sustainability fields. Furthermore, LimnoTech, a firm specializing in water science and environmental engineering, will independently evaluate the volumetric water benefits of GWF BALANCE using the Volumetric Water Benefit Accounting (VWBA) framework.

Source :GWF

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