By Clayton MacDougald, Investment Director, Water
Whenever water is in the headlines, it’s never for anything good. Droughts, hurricanes, floods—our relationship with water is growing more fraught by the day. No one appreciates this more than water and wastewater utilities, the cornerstone of our increasingly complex water system. As climate change continues to disrupt once-predictable cycles, the challenges utilities face are mounting.
This is why it’s more important than ever that utilities adopt the latest technologies to stay ahead of potential problems. State-of-the-art sensors, machine learning algorithms, and advanced analytics can help utilities gain visibility over their assets, detect warning signs and fix any upcoming issues before they become crises, and build resilience against extreme weather. Doing so will allow them to continue providing reliable, uninterrupted service to customers while staying out of the headlines.
Emerald’s portfolio includes some of the most sophisticated water technology startups in the world. Now, StormHarvester joins that roster. The Belfast-based company has developed a series of AI-driven solutions aimed at revolutionizing wastewater and stormwater management. By harnessing machine learning and hyperlocal rainfall data, StormHarvester’s platform enhances system efficiency, reduces pollution events, and helps utilities move from a reactive to a proactive operational mindset.
Transforming Wastewater Management Through AI
StormHarvester’s technology suite directly addresses some of the most pressing issues in wastewater management today:
- Blockage Detection: Blockages occur due to debris, foreign objects, and natural buildup. Left unaddressed, they can lead to flooding and pollution events. StormHarvester’s AI-powered system can predict blockage locations, allowing utilities to resolve them before they escalate.
- Pump Alerting: Sewer and storm networks rely on pump stations to move water. However, pumps are prone to failures, blockages, and deterioration. StormHarvester’s platform continuously analyzes pump station performance, integrating hyperlocal rainfall data and sensor inputs to detect anomalies early.
- Inflow and Infiltration (I&I) Detection: Water from external sources—such as groundwater or stormwater—can enter sewer systems through cracks, leaky joints, or faulty connections, diluting wastewater and increasing treatment costs. StormHarvester’s system can visualize and pinpoint I&I sources, providing utilities with actionable insights to prevent unnecessary treatment expenses or challenges.
These are just a few of the innovations StormHarvester has developed to help utilities manage their infrastructure. The company has gained significant traction in the UK, where StormHarvester serves nearly all major water utilities. Their success is now driving interest in international markets, with particular growth opportunities in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States.
The Global Market for Smart Water Solutions
The urgency for smarter water management is accelerating globally. Climate change is amplifying the frequency and severity of floods, making stormwater management a critical concern for utilities worldwide. The World Bank estimates that 1.81 billion people—nearly a quarter of the global population—are directly exposed to severe flooding risks. Economic losses from major flood events have surpassed $80 billion annually, further underscoring the need for proactive infrastructure solutions.
Regulatory and environmental pressures are also intensifying. In the UK, Ofwat is imposing stricter penalties for utilities that fail to monitor and manage sewer overflows. Meanwhile, in Australia and New Zealand, certain utilities are leading the way from digital perspective and have established sensing and monitoring programs in their wastewater networks to adapt to the local regulatory environment. In the U.S., Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) driven consent decrees are necessitating billions of dollars in wastewater infrastructure upgrades to comply with the Clean Water Act.
StormHarvester is well-positioned to address these challenges. By shifting utilities from reactive to predictive management, its platform helps reduce operational costs, minimize environmental damage, and improve compliance.
The Future of Smart Water Management
StormHarvester’s growth is a testament to the increasing demand for intelligent water management solutions. The company’s annual user conference recently brought together over 150 water professionals, highlighting the industry’s enthusiasm for AI-driven wastewater management. Attendees emphasized how StormHarvester’s platform has empowered field teams, improved operational efficiency, and reduced pollution events.
Looking ahead, the company is expanding its capabilities with new modules and product development, including a focus around wastewater treatment. As climate change accelerates, utilities will need to adopt cutting-edge technologies to remain resilient in the face of growing challenges.
At Emerald, we are committed to investing in the future of water. Innovations like StormHarvester’s AI-driven platform are not just improving wastewater management—they are redefining how we interact with one of our most precious resources. Now, more than ever, it’s time for the industry to embrace a proactive, technology-driven approach to water management.
More on water and wastewater at Emerald:
Emerald invests in Kilimo to accelerate corporate investment in water conservation
Emerald marks first India investment with water treatment vanguard INDRA