The Potential of Digitalization to Promote a Circular Economy in the Water Sector

The current amount of data coming from all kinds of devices together with the incessant increase in computing capacity is revolutionizing almost all existing sectors, and the water sector is no exception. The monitoring of urban water cycle infrastructures makes it possible to generate a large amoun...

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Main Authors: Vicent Hernández-Chover, Lledó Castellet-Viciano, Águeda Bellver-Domingo, Francesc Hernández-Sancho
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-11-01
Series:Water
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/14/22/3722
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author Vicent Hernández-Chover
Lledó Castellet-Viciano
Águeda Bellver-Domingo
Francesc Hernández-Sancho
author_facet Vicent Hernández-Chover
Lledó Castellet-Viciano
Águeda Bellver-Domingo
Francesc Hernández-Sancho
author_sort Vicent Hernández-Chover
collection DOAJ
description The current amount of data coming from all kinds of devices together with the incessant increase in computing capacity is revolutionizing almost all existing sectors, and the water sector is no exception. The monitoring of urban water cycle infrastructures makes it possible to generate a large amount of data, this information, previously processed, helps to increase the efficiency of the processes carried out in these infrastructures, from catchment to purification and subsequent discharge. This information, in addition to improving internal aspects such as the operation and maintenance of the infrastructures, allows them to be linked to multiple other variables in other sectors, making new technological approaches and more effective management strategies possible. A practical example is wastewater treatment plants. From the perspective of the circular economy, these infrastructures are capable of producing a large amount of resources, which, if properly managed, can reduce the pressure on conventional resources. In this sense, digitization allows the integration of the different market players, thus optimizing the supply and demand of these resources and ultimately advancing the practical application of the circular economy. This paper reviews the potential of digitalization in the urban water sector and proposes numerous practical examples to accelerate the transition towards economic, social, and environmental sustainability.
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spelling doaj.art-c3e96ad68830482f9fcac7b03c13b3ce2023-11-24T10:21:56ZengMDPI AGWater2073-44412022-11-011422372210.3390/w14223722The Potential of Digitalization to Promote a Circular Economy in the Water SectorVicent Hernández-Chover0Lledó Castellet-Viciano1Águeda Bellver-Domingo2Francesc Hernández-Sancho3Water Economics Group, Inter-University Institute of Local Development (IILD-WATER), University of Valencia, C/Serpis 29, 46022 Valencia, SpainWater Economics Group, Inter-University Institute of Local Development (IILD-WATER), University of Valencia, C/Serpis 29, 46022 Valencia, SpainWater Economics Group, Inter-University Institute of Local Development (IILD-WATER), University of Valencia, C/Serpis 29, 46022 Valencia, SpainWater Economics Group, Inter-University Institute of Local Development (IILD-WATER), University of Valencia, C/Serpis 29, 46022 Valencia, SpainThe current amount of data coming from all kinds of devices together with the incessant increase in computing capacity is revolutionizing almost all existing sectors, and the water sector is no exception. The monitoring of urban water cycle infrastructures makes it possible to generate a large amount of data, this information, previously processed, helps to increase the efficiency of the processes carried out in these infrastructures, from catchment to purification and subsequent discharge. This information, in addition to improving internal aspects such as the operation and maintenance of the infrastructures, allows them to be linked to multiple other variables in other sectors, making new technological approaches and more effective management strategies possible. A practical example is wastewater treatment plants. From the perspective of the circular economy, these infrastructures are capable of producing a large amount of resources, which, if properly managed, can reduce the pressure on conventional resources. In this sense, digitization allows the integration of the different market players, thus optimizing the supply and demand of these resources and ultimately advancing the practical application of the circular economy. This paper reviews the potential of digitalization in the urban water sector and proposes numerous practical examples to accelerate the transition towards economic, social, and environmental sustainability.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/14/22/3722digitalizationurban water cyclecircular economy
spellingShingle Vicent Hernández-Chover
Lledó Castellet-Viciano
Águeda Bellver-Domingo
Francesc Hernández-Sancho
The Potential of Digitalization to Promote a Circular Economy in the Water Sector
Water
digitalization
urban water cycle
circular economy
title The Potential of Digitalization to Promote a Circular Economy in the Water Sector
title_full The Potential of Digitalization to Promote a Circular Economy in the Water Sector
title_fullStr The Potential of Digitalization to Promote a Circular Economy in the Water Sector
title_full_unstemmed The Potential of Digitalization to Promote a Circular Economy in the Water Sector
title_short The Potential of Digitalization to Promote a Circular Economy in the Water Sector
title_sort potential of digitalization to promote a circular economy in the water sector
topic digitalization
urban water cycle
circular economy
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/14/22/3722
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