The Headache of Utilities
Leakage detection, climate (in-)actions, water-food nexus,….This Week on The Water MBA
Remember, one of the primary goals is to prevent pipe breakages, which are a major concern for utility operators.
New Episode
A new episode will be released on The Water MBA platform (link provided at the end of this email). As usual, I’ll share the story behind it and some reflections. Next week…
That’s probably one of my favorites so far.
I wasn’t fully aware of the realities behind the daily operation of our networks. My expertise was more focused on designing and handing over the pipes, and my understanding of leakages was limited to what occurred during hydrotests. Once the handover was signed, I had little knowledge of what happened in the years that followed.
At the end of 2023, I had a conversation with our guest for this episode. He works for what is probably the leading public utility in Spain and has hands-on experience—both on the ground and underground. He has tested all the methods, experienced the ups and downs, and brought valuable insights to the table.
It took us considerable time to refine this episode and present the complexities in the simplest way possible. Now, after a year, I can share with you.
Potable water is distributed through kilometers of pipeline networks beneath our ground. Unfortunately, these pipelines often have leakages, losing significant amounts of water—ranging from 5-7% to as much as 40%.
The leakage rate is closely related to investment, the maintenance team’s efforts, and the utility’s ability to detect and prevent these losses.
In this episode, we explore all the possible methods for detecting leakages in our networks, covering the advantages and disadvantages of each approach.
Really insane how much water we may loss through the most insignificant gap of just 2 mm…!!
Explore and Connect
Knowledge isn’t confined to a single source—not even The Water MBA. That’s why I aim to bring you insights from congresses, webinars, channels, and other courses or training resources I follow. If The Water MBA serves as a door that opens many others for you, I’ll be delighted. This week…
COP 29 United Nations Climate Change Conference from November 11 to 22, 2024
I’ve started reading highlights from this event. Historically, water has not played a major role in these gatherings, with energy taking center stage. Now, with the broader focus on climate action, water might finally gain more presence, though I feel energy still remains the main priority. Hopefully, water can benefit from the pledges and financing frameworks established here.
Looking back at previous COPs, especially since 2015, I can’t say I feel confident about real progress on energy commitments. At a recent Water-Energy Nexus conference hosted by AEDyR in Madrid, this graph was shared. It’s so self-explanatory that it illustrates the disparity between "talk" and "action" showing us the reality of what’s at stake.
Desalytics, from Nov 19th to 21st, 2024, from 4 to 7 pm Dubai time.
This is probably one of my favorite digital events, and registration is completely free. Last year, the sessions were highly engaging, hosted by the incomparable Walid Khoury. If you’re not familiar with him, I highly recommend following him on LinkedIn—his insights are truly valuable.
The lineup of guests this year is exceptional, featuring some of the most prominent figures worldwide. This event will give you a broader perspective on the business landscape and know who are the leading professionals on the front lines of the industry. Below link to register.
General Stuff
In this chapter, I’ll share thoughts on any general topics that catch my interest—just a brainstorming space for intriguing ideas. This week…
Over the past few weeks, I noticed my wife frequently ordering new clothing, only to hear, “Did you use this?” “Not yet, and this isn’t really cool anymore...” It made me realize that probably 85% of the wardrobe goes unused. This got me curious about the textile and clothing industry, particularly how water is used or affected by it.
To be honest, I was quite surprised by what I found. I’ve gathered some of these insights into a LinkedIn newsletter, and the post will be released next Wednesday.
Asking for Help
Sometimes, value is hidden. It takes research, conversations, and understanding to identify professionals who align with our purpose and can bring valuable contributions to our platform and community. If you know someone who makes you think, “If this person had an episode on The Water MBA, I’d definitely watch it,” please share your suggestions, and I’ll do my best to bring them on board. From my side this week…
I'd love to get someone to bring us an insight into water-food nexus, understand better how the agriculture and water is related.
Below is the link to access the platform. Remember, the subscription is fully flexible, and there’s a 3-day free trial. If any episode piques your interest, the cost won’t stand in your way.
That’s all for today.
See you next week.