Smart sustainable water management in big cities

Climate change and urbanization are increasing the challenges cities face in managing wastewater, stormwater and flooding. The EU SCOREwater project aims to create a resilient water cycle in cities with the help of digitalization. The project is led by IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute.

The project examines how sensors and digital tools can be used to acquire greater levels of knowledge and how we can become better prepared to manage change. In order to develop tools that different actors – municipalities, companies, citizens and civil society – reap real benefits from, technology development and testing are conducted in close collaboration between users and technology developers. The project will develop digital services, games and live experience scenarios that cities can use to increase awareness and commitment to water issues.

Knowledge and data are collected on a digital platform. In this way, project partners can learn from each other and utilize one another’s knowledge and findings. Information and communication services and tools developed by SCOREwater are made available to several cities via the same platform. Several existing technical platforms and services will be connected to the digital platform.

With the help of these digital services, the project leverages financial savings in terms of both water systems maintenance and operating costs. These services will in turn provide new business opportunities for small and medium-sized companies in the water and IT sectors.

14 organizations in three European cities have joined SCOREwater. In Barcelona, a method called “sewage sociology” will be used to analyse lifestyle habits based on water quality measurements in sewage systems. Amersfoort will examine new techniques for water flow control and hydrological modelling. In Gothenburg, focus is on how resistance to high water flows can be improved through monitoring at construction sites.

Read more at the project's website SCOREwater project External link, opens in new window..