Forward of a three-day water startup matching occasion, organized by WaterCitizen.Org and hosted by DC Water on 19 February, Dr Robert Bornhofen, director of innovation at DC Water, shares his views on the challenges confronted by the US utility and the way they’re being addressed.
DC Water gives consuming water and wastewater companies to 700,000 DC residents and wastewater companies to a different 1.8 million individuals within the US states of Maryland and Virginia. What are the utility’s most important challenges?
There are three key challenges going through DC Water that come to thoughts. One is getting older infrastructure corresponding to outdated and leaky pipes and valves in want of restore and/or alternative.
One other is the transformation towards digital applied sciences that result in smarter programs. This entails sensor know-how and the appliance of synthetic intelligence (AI) and huge language fashions. Little question, this can be a difficult endeavor that requires deliberate thought, good funding, and alter administration.
The third space entails the situation of DC Water in serving our nation’s capital. We’ve got only one supply of water for public consumption – the Potomac River. Technique is at present underway to create one other sustainable supply of potable water ought to this one supply be compromised.
What choices are being thought of?
As a extremely modern utility, DC Water is formulating numerous choices as we converse. We’re guided by a five-year strategic plan known as Blueprint 2.0, which lays out 5 strategic imperatives from which our innovation technique aligns as our guiding compass.
As for a extra sustainable water supply, as famous, a number of concepts are into consideration, corresponding to utilizing effluent from handled wastewater as a brand new supply of potable water to enhance the normal sources of rivers, lakes and aquifers.
Different sources of renewable vitality are being pursued. For example, DC Water is investing in photo voltaic panels to generate renewable vitality.
We’re additionally trying to additional leverage district vitality as a renewable vitality supply. This entails tapping underground sewer pipes the place temperature variations exist with above-ground temperatures.
This temperature differential permits us to create cool air in the summertime and heat air within the winter months. The end result retains buildings snug whereas decreasing the necessity for grid electrical energy powered by fossil gasoline.
Leak detection is one more space of curiosity. We’re options that contain such applied sciences as fiber optics and synthetic intelligence (AI), together with machine-learning, to assist pinpoint water leaks.
Experimentation can also be underway with AI-enabled chatbots in a few areas inside DC Water for added effectivity financial savings.
How would you evaluate innovation technique improvement and execution for DC Water, in contrast with personal firms?
The comparability in industries could be very totally different. Not like different industries, the water utility sector holds an enormous public accountability for offering clear water, sewer assortment, and wastewater remedy – in full compliance with federal, state, and native laws. It’s a life-giving business that usually goes unnoticed, however is all the time on, serving the general public 24 hours a day, 7 days per week, 12 months a yr.
Given their important function, the place mishaps can probably result in severe penalties, water utilities are typically threat averse to vary, greater than I skilled in different industries. Take generative AI, for instance, initially, there was some resistance when it was first promoted at DC Water. Nonetheless, this apprehension has since been reconciled by better consciousness of AI and related controls.
The mindset shared amongst management and employees is among the greatest variations I’ve skilled when evaluating the water utility sector to different industries. For my part, utilities are typically overly affected person and complacent towards appearing on issues identified to exist.
By comparability, lots of the for-profit firms I do know, the place ‘time is cash’, act with better agility in addressing urgent issues.
At DC Water, innovation is being superior in a number of methods. Our Chief Govt and Common Supervisor David Gadis is a strategic chief who has made innovation a precedence. His imaginative and prescient for an enterprise-wide method to innovation primarily based on finest practices, framework fashions, instruments, and outlined roles is making a constructive influence.
The WaterPitch! Water Startup Matching Extravaganza is being held at DC Water’s headquarters on 18-20 February 2025. Why are occasions like this vital for utilities and municipalities?
Innovation is about variety of thought, expertise and opinion. I consider that the water sector wants new views, recent concepts, and an ecosystem of good companions. Occasions like WaterPitch! make this potential.
Quickly, WaterCitizen will host its third Annual WaterPitch! occasion at DC Water’s headquarters. That is the place innovators scout new applied sciences and capabilities.
I participated in final yr’s occasion and was impressed by the numerous alternatives shared for startups and supporters of water entrepreneurship. WaterPitch! is the place we community, be taught from each other, and generate recent concepts. It is a wonderful venue for addressing water challenges in all sectors, contemplating all options, and all phases of startups.
Eventually yr’s WaterPitch, I witnessed one of many Greatest Pitch Award winners ship their presentation – Alberto Lopez from Sunfish.AI. In reality, we introduced Sunfish to DC Water afterwords for discussions on potential use of his know-how, and really helpful Alberto’s pitch be included in a Technical Advisory Group assembly with utility leaders, traders, and startups all through the northeastern US.
By WaterPitch! I used to be capable of meet numerous Startup Founders and perceive how their improvements assist the water business with new capabilities and fashionable know-how for added influence.
At this yr’s WaterPitch, DC Water’s Vice President of Water Operations, Chris Collier, will current a reverse pitch on a problem. He’ll interact a roomful of native and regional companies in dialogue, hoping to listen to of capabilities and concepts that may probably clear up this problem.
I’m impressed how WaterCitizen founder and chief govt Dr Cat Shrier and her crew work to deliver collectively the totally different individuals and organizations concerned in water entrepreneurship – together with entrepreneurs, traders, funding businesses, innovation-focused shoppers and entrepreneur assist packages – right into a cohesive neighborhood.
The WaterPitch! Water Startup Matching Extravaganza takes place 18-20 February at DC Water’s HQO Waterside Occasions Heart in Washington DC. To register, go to WaterPitch.Org
The occasion is organized by WaterCitizen.Org and consists of pitches from as much as 60 water startups and reverse pitches by as much as 50 potential traders, funders, shoppers and accelerators. There are additionally alternatives for liaison with Members of Congress, federal businesses, commerce representatives, and different policymakers.
