Digital Twins Make a Splash in Water Utilities

US utilities slash downtime and costs, as digital twins gain ground in modernizing aging water infrastructure.

22 Jul 2025

America’s water utilities are in the middle of a digital shake-up, and one technology is making waves: digital twins.

A major study published July 17 in the Journal of Sustainable Development and Policy shows that utilities using digital twins cut downtime by nearly half and trim costs by almost a third. With crumbling infrastructure and climate pressures piling up, the results offer a rare dose of optimism.

The report, which analyzed more than a decade of global projects, does not just highlight potential benefits. It sets a clear performance standard. Water utilities now have solid data showing how smart systems can deliver real savings and smoother operations.

Industry heavyweights are moving quickly. Xylem, a global water technology firm, recently revealed how its digital twin project in Valencia, Spain, helped cut water losses by 30 percent and lower maintenance bills by a fifth. Veolia’s Hubgrade platform is also making an impact, already active in over 100 treatment plants and fine-tuning operations in real time.

“This confirms what many in the sector suspected. Investing in digital works,” said one infrastructure analyst. “The frontrunners are locking in better reliability and sharper cost control.”

Not every utility has it easy. Smaller providers face tight budgets and rising cybersecurity concerns. Still, momentum is building. More utilities are seeing digital twins not just as futuristic buzzwords but as practical, tested tools.

As demand for stable, affordable water services keeps climbing, the sector is approaching a tipping point. Analysts expect a rush of modernization in the coming years, with digital twins playing a key role in reshaping water management for the better.