Bentley Systems, the infrastructure engineering software company, wishes to recognize two of its users presenting their digital advancements in mini documentary films showcased at the International Water Association World Water Congress in Copenhagen, September 11–15.
This new video series, Beneath the Surface, is produced by BBC Storyworks Commercial Productions. It explores today’s most pressing water challenges, while showcasing key innovations and solutions emerging within the sector and the incredible innovations being implemented around the world to safeguard this precious resource for the future. The series includes inspiration from nature and the technology that is helping us to keep communities going and creating a brighter future for water.
The two mini documentary films produced for Bentley show how digital advancements support engineering and operations to ensure the supply of water to their communities.
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Águas e Energia do Porto – The first film features Águas e Energia do Porto in Porto, Portugal, a city shaped by water. The citizens of Porto rely on the utility that diligently works to supply safe and reliable water services. With thousands of sensors installed along the waterways all over the city, the data is fed into the digital twin platform for analysis and optimal decision-making. After its deployment, the city’s water service interruptions decreased by 42%. This figure represents an outstanding 100% in continuous improvement since Porto first implemented the digital twin just two years earlier. The video details how they did it. Águas e Energia do Porto uses Bentley’s OpenFlows technology to help reduce service interruptions by 42%.
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Companhia Águas de Joinville (CAJ) – The second film features Companhia Águas de Joinville (CAJ), in Joinville, Brazil, a city that experiences seasonal droughts, but in recent years has been experiencing some of the worst droughts in 30 years. Drought and water scarcity has a huge social impact on people’s lives. Access to water means dignity for the people in the community. The hydraulic model and the digital twin help to evaluate how well the system is working, as well as check the changes that can be done within the system to figure out what the response will be. The outcome can sometimes be surprising. It is not just about the engineering; it is about the impact that it has and the connections that go way beyond the engineering work.
Companhia Águas de Joinville developed a contingency plan for droughts, recognizing that access to water means dignity for the people in the community.
The series underscores how, even with uncertain climates and new demands, we can channel hope into the future that our water systems will continue to deliver with new ways of thinking, with incredible innovations, and dedication to sustaining life to communities.
