Future-proofing water operations
Faced with unprecedented challenges, water authorities are rethinking their operations, and they need digital tools that can keep pace.
The water and wastewater sector is facing unprecedented challenges. Rapid urbanisation, ageing infrastructure, climate volatility and increasing regulatory pressure are pushing utilities to rethink how they operate. To thrive in this environment, embracing digital transformation and open automation is no longer optional – it’s essential.
This is where EcoStruxure Automation Expert, Schneider Electric’s next-generation software-centric industrial automation system, comes in. Designed for flexibility, openness, and sustainability, it is poised to redefine how water utilities operate and innovate.
Rethinking traditional automation
Conventional control systems in water plants – like PLCs or DCSs – often lock utilities into proprietary hardware and software, making upgrades slow, costly and complex. These systems aren’t built for the speed and adaptability required in today’s evolving utility environment.
EcoStruxure Automation Expert changes the game. Built on the IEC 61499 standard, it decouples software from hardware, allowing engineers to develop control applications independently of physical devices.
This means utilities can reuse code, modernise gradually and avoid disruptive overhauls – ultimately reducing total cost of ownership and improving agility.
Water utilities today are expected to do more with less – optimise energy usage, improve service reliability, and meet strict compliance standards, all while managing limited budgets.
EcoStruxure Automation Expert offers key benefits tailored to these challenges:
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Hardware agnostic flexibility
Utilities can deploy the same control applications across different hardware platforms, enabling modular and scalable plant design. As a result, plants can modernise one step at a time without disrupting operations. -
Faster engineering and deployment
With drag-and-drop functionality and object-based programming, engineering time is significantly reduced. This accelerates project delivery and enables teams to respond quickly to changing process needs. -
Remote monitoring and cybersecurity
For distributed assets like pumping stations or treatment units, remote access is critical. EcoStruxure Automation Expert supports secure remote diagnostics and operations, reducing site visits while ensuring resilience and safety. -
Support for sustainability goals
The platform easily integrates with digital twins, AI and analytics tools, enabling predictive maintenance, energy efficiency, and optimized dosing or pumping schedules. These capabilities help utilities lower emissions, reduce resource waste, and achieve ESG targets.
The shift to universal automation
The concept of universal automation is driving a revolution in industrial control – similar to how the IT world evolved from proprietary systems to open platforms. EcoStruxure Automation Expert is at the forefront of this shift, promoting interoperability, reusability, and openness.
For the water and wastewater sector, this means:
- Fewer engineering hours
- Reduced system downtime
- Increased ability to innovate and scale
It’s a strategic investment not just in technology, but in the future of reliable, sustainable water infrastructure.
Around the world, water utilities adopting software-defined automation are seeing tangible results – improved operational efficiency, reduced energy costs, and better asset utilisation. By leveraging open standards and modern engineering tools, they are able to stay ahead of growing demands while delivering on performance and compliance.
Water is one of our most vital resources – and its management must be as intelligent and adaptable as the world we live in. EcoStruxure Automation Expert enables utilities to modernise at their own pace, embrace emerging technologies, and future-proof their operations.
To learn more about how EcoStruxure Automation Expert can support your water wastewater operation, visit www.se.com or contact the team to discuss how EcoStruxure Automation Expert can support your next project.
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