Business Strategy: Smart Water Market Overview

This IDC Energy Insights report provides an overview of the smart water market, which is emerging as a similar and parallel market to the already established smart grid market. The threat of water scarcity or shortages and the need to manage aging infrastructure are driving water utilities and other organizations responsible for water supply to consider smart technology–based solutions to reduce water losses and enable water conservation. However, current deployment rates of these solutions are low because of a lack of understanding regarding the business case for investment, few successful case study examples, issues with technology availability and maturity, and the fragmented nature of the water utility market.

"Water utilities considering whether or not to invest in smart water solutions must understand the current and projected capabilities of, the potential benefits and risks associated with, and the experiences of other utilities in deploying these smart water solutions," stated Rick Nicholson, group vice president, IDC Energy Insights.