The Smart Water Wave Sweeping U.S. Cities

Schneider Electric and Conroe pioneer open automation to modernize water systems nationwide

5 Nov 2025

Schneider Electric has partnered with the City of Conroe, Texas, to deploy a software-based automation system across 19 local water and wastewater facilities, in a move expected to influence modernization efforts in utilities nationwide.

The initiative centres on EcoStruxure Automation Expert, Schneider Electric’s open software platform designed to replace traditional hardware-based control systems with digital intelligence. The system allows utilities to monitor facilities remotely, identify faults in real time, and integrate new technologies without large-scale equipment replacements. Officials said the approach can lower operating costs and reduce service interruptions.

“This is more than an upgrade; it is a digital transformation,” a Schneider Electric spokesperson said. “Cities need agility and data-driven insights to keep water flowing safely and sustainably.”

Industry experts view the Conroe project as an early example of a broader shift as U.S. utilities confront aging infrastructure, rising energy use, and growing cybersecurity demands. Open automation systems, which can connect with multiple vendors’ equipment, are seen as key to increasing flexibility and accelerating technological innovation.

Federal agencies have also begun supporting such efforts. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is promoting digital monitoring and automation through new infrastructure funding programmes, aligning public resources with private-sector initiatives.

Analysts say challenges remain, including workforce training, system integration, and cybersecurity risks. But the convergence of policy support, new technology, and operational necessity is driving change across the sector.

What began in Conroe reflects a wider push to build smarter, more resilient municipal utilities. As digital automation gains traction, industry observers expect similar projects to spread across the U.S. in the coming years.