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Even now, when billions of dollars are spent worldwide to upgrade electricity networks, systems for the delivery of fresh water is also in dire need of upgrading the 21st century.

IBM is developing a portfolio of IT-technology, water management, the business, it estimates, could reach $ 20 billion over five years. At a conference on water resources in the next week, IBM and Intel will form a working group to examine how information and technology can be used to improve water management, according to IBM.

The aim is to describe the technical architecture required for more efficient use of freshwater, only one percent of available water on Earth.

   The water, even in developed countries like the U.S., as you know, old, from faulty pipes - some of them are still made of wood - the result of 25 per cent to 45 per cent of lost water. This means that high-tech approaches, such as the use of sensors to assess water quality are hard to sell the cash-strapped municipalities, most of which are more concerned with maintaining basic infrastructure.

IBM is betting, however, that fresh water will be of great value attached to it by the public, governments and corporations.

"The harsh truth is that most countries in the developing world is outgrowing the amount of water that is available to them," said Peter Williams, chief technology officer at IBM's Big Green Innovations program, which represents IBM at the conference organized by the Alliance Water Industry Association of innovation in the next week . "Of course, this is the case that the water crisis is a big dream and it's definitely beginning to wake up."

IBM Big Green Innovations began two and a half years ago to take advantage of difficulties in the production of energy, carbon dioxide emissions, energy in data centers, and water. Over the past 18 months, IBM is focusing its attention on the water, said Williams, who is characterized as a business "incredibly rudimentary."

Reservoirs Data
Upgrading water infrastructure is similar to many smart-grid technology is being tested to make the grid work more efficiently and use more renewable energy.

Collecting and processing information about the delivery status allows water agencies to more effectively manage their operations. For example, if the water authorities can use timers or sensors to detect problems such as leakage or sewage overflows, they can reduce their operating costs, Williams explained.

IBM already has a number of water-related transactions. In partnership with nature, this collection of data on various environmental factors to assess the health of river ecosystems. In the Netherlands, IBM takes part in development fees for understanding the potential for cracking.

In these cases, IBM is to create software and networks for processing incoming data from sensors and to provide tools to let people analyze information. He also tested the smart water meters, which would provide more accurate data on consumption and prevent the client if there is a problem, as leakage. He is also exploring new sensors developed to track the level of pathogens or chemical pollutants that come from the use of drugs.

Big Blue's Maxim "asset management" software is used in many water monitor and maintain their equipment pumps, plants and filtration equipment.

Nevertheless, the water utility as a whole bunch of low-tech when it comes to her. Most managers of water authorities do not consider alternative control technology for major systems, SCADA, Williams said. "They are where they (electricity) utilities in five or 10 years ago," he said.

Corporate Risks
IBM pushes into the water, because water on the trends indicate a need for greater conservation of social and economic reasons.

In poor countries, billions of people lack regular access to clean water. Meanwhile, high profile drought in Australia and the western United States, he served on the Colorado River caused serious financial problems for various industries, particularly in agriculture.

The high cost of energy delivery of water helps to make economic case for more effective monitoring and data analysis. In the U.S., between 3 percent and 4 percent of total production of electricity used for pumping water. In California, almost 20 percent. Meanwhile, low water levels in rivers and reservoirs caused the closure of nuclear reactors in France, several years ago.

Industries that depend on water, such as semiconductors, agriculture, or beverages are susceptible to disruption of supply. There is also a "reputational risk" when consumers believe that the company wasteful with water, Williams said.

"This is how greenhouse gases. Ten years ago in this country, few people were talking about them, but they are now," he said. "The same thing will happen with the water."