{"id":5640,"date":"2025-05-20T17:03:05","date_gmt":"2025-05-20T17:03:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mywatchseries.me\/?p=5640"},"modified":"2025-05-20T18:10:53","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T18:10:53","slug":"from-paper-to-sensor-how-to-digitalize-a-utility-in-latin-america","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mywatchseries.me\/index.php\/2025\/05\/20\/from-paper-to-sensor-how-to-digitalize-a-utility-in-latin-america\/","title":{"rendered":"From Paper to Sensor: How to Digitalize a Utility in Latin America"},"content":{"rendered":"

The first hurdle facing water operators in Latin America is the water that is produced but not billed. More than 35 million cubic meters per day \u2013 enough to supply 100 million people \u2013 are lost between leaks, fraud, metering errors and obsolete operational management.<\/p>\n

The digitization of utilities in Latin America is urgent, but also feasible, according to Xylem Vue. Mexico, Chile, Colombia and Brazil already have success stories.<\/p>\n

Xylem Vue presents 6 keys to effective and sustainable digitization<\/p>\n

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May 20, 2025.<\/strong> In Latin America, where up to 60% of produced water is lost before reaching the consumer, the digital transformation of utilities \u2014 the water service providers \u2014 is no longer optional, but an urgent necessity.<\/p>\n

As highlighted in the white paper \u201cKeys to successfully implementing a digital water management platform<\/a>\u201d, the United Nations (UN) estimates that by 2050, around 5 billion people could be living in areas facing water scarcity if appropriate conservation and efficient management measures are not taken. In the face of this challenge, digitalization plays a key role as a vehicle for transition. However, moving from paper-based processes to smart sensors is no easy feat. The question remains: how can utilities shift from analog records and fragmented systems to integrated digital platforms without collapsing under the weight of the transformation?<\/p>\n

6 KEYS TO ADDRESSING NON-REVENUE WATER (NRW) <\/strong><\/p>\n

During a recent webinar, Silvia Escamilla, a digital solutions expert in the water sector and Solutions Selling at Xylem Latin America, presented a roadmap based on successful case studies, outlining six keys to achieving effective and sustainable digitalization.<\/p>\n

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  1. Diagnosis: understanding the starting point<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Before talking about artificial intelligence or big data, Escamilla emphasized the importance of understanding the initial situation, both internally and externally. One of the first hurdles faced by utilities in the region is non-revenue water (NRW), which refers to water that is produced but not billed. In Latin America, this accounts for over 35 million cubic meters daily \u2014 enough to supply 100 million people \u2014 lost through leaks, fraud, metering errors, and outdated operational management.<\/p>\n

    According to the Xylem Vue expert, \u201cLosing water is not just a missed opportunity \u2014 the consequences are severe: economic losses, scarcity, social inequity, and environmental damage\u201d. Recognizing the magnitude of the problem is the first step toward transformation.<\/p>\n

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    1. No data, no digitalization<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      For Escamilla, \u2018what you can\u2019t see, you can\u2019t manage.\u2019\u201d Therefore, the second key to the digitalization process is the collection of reliable data.<\/p>\n

      To achieve this, utilities must have:<\/p>\n