bNovate Technologies has announced its participation in the SMART-Distribution project, an initiative aimed at addressing critical challenges within Qatar’s water distribution systems. The project focuses on strengthening the resilience of Qatar’s water infrastructure against climate change impacts by implementing real-time water quality monitoring and advanced risk assessment tools.
With Qatar facing increasing water security risks due to limited freshwater resources and reliance on desalination, the project is led by the Sustainability Division at Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU) College of Science and Engineering (CSE), in collaboration with bNovate and Kahramaa, the country’s water utility. It aims to improve the robustness and adaptability of drinking water systems through a real-time, risk-based monitoring network tracking water quality throughout storage and distribution phases.
Peter Desmond, Assistant Professor at CSE, highlighted the project’s importance in ensuring sustainable water security amid climate change by leveraging cutting-edge technologies and collaborative innovation.
The initiative will evaluate Qatar’s water distribution network resilience using a comprehensive risk and resilience framework and establish a real-time monitoring platform. Qatar Foundation’s Education City will serve as a Living Lab to study water quality variations under controlled and real-world conditions.
Luigino Grasso, CTO at bNovate, emphasized the company’s role in applying advanced flow cytometry technology to monitor microbial water quality, analyze biofilm formation, and support data-driven decisions to protect Qatar’s water supply. This collaboration aligns with bNovate’s commitment to market-led innovations addressing real-world challenges.
The SMART-Distribution project aligns with Qatar’s National Water Management Plan 2030, fostering a cyclic innovation model through collaboration between HBKU, bNovate, and Kahramaa to deliver practical, user-centric solutions ensuring reliable water security in the face of climate challenges.
