The renewables movement has gained significant momentum as climate concerns escalate—both for individuals and organisations. This shift is creating a ripple effect across multiple sectors, and water engineering is no exception. The demand for greener technology and environmentally sound solutions has accelerated in parallel with the broader climate conversation. But with innovation moving at pace, it’s increasingly difficult to keep a handle on all the latest developments.

In this piece, we take a look at recent innovations in green technology and consider their implications for water engineering and treatment—and, crucially, the people needed to power this change.

A Market on the Move

Sustainability is no longer a buzzword—it’s a business imperative. It’s tempting to say the renewables market is growing, but that undersells the scale of what’s happening. The figures speak for themselves.

According to Market.US Reports, a respected source for market research and forecasting, the green technology market was valued at USD 11.49 billion in 2021. It’s projected to hit USD 51.09 billion by 2029—a staggering compound annual growth rate of 20.6%. For those of us operating in the water management space, this represents a wealth of opportunity.

The appetite for greener solutions is clear. But what's equally clear is that some businesses are already stepping up and setting the pace.

Schneider Electric: A Case Study in Sustainable Wastewater

In July, Schneider Electric—global leaders in digital energy transformation—launched its Green Yodha Yatra awareness programme, aimed at promoting sustainability in the water segment.

The initiative is designed to showcase how digital innovation in water management can help reduce carbon emissions—particularly by addressing outdated operations and inefficiencies that stand in the way of green technology progress.

Senthil Kumar V, Vice President of Industrial Automation at Schneider Electric India, put it plainly: “Digitisation has the potential to transform industries. The time is now for the water and wastewater (WWW) segment to act. We aim to bridge the gap between process and digital, driving efficiency, conservation and better governance across the board.”

The curriculum is also hands-on, offering professionals direct experience with the very technologies that are redefining water governance, desalination, and sustainable treatment plant operations.

Green Tech in Practice

Journalist Emily Newton, writing for Water Quality Products Magazine, outlined several cutting-edge developments currently helping shape a more sustainable future for water treatment. These aren’t theoretical shifts—they’re real-world innovations being put into practice today:

- IoT sensors in water management: When properly deployed, IoT sensors provide real-time data on usage and overflow risks, allowing plant operators to intervene before damage occurs.

- Potable reuse: The reuse of treated wastewater for drinking water is on the rise. Public perception will need to catch up, but the infrastructure and capability are already there—and the environmental upside is considerable.

- Artificial Intelligence in compliance monitoring: AI is taking the guesswork out of water quality monitoring. It ensures compliance with environmental standards and, perhaps more importantly, flags risks before they become full-blown issues.

These technologies are changing the rules of the game. But there’s a catch.

A Talent Bottleneck

Here’s the reality: all of this innovation is meaningless without the people to make it happen. Implementing and maintaining digital and green technologies requires talent—specifically, tech talent. And that’s where the water industry is facing one of its biggest hurdles. The tech talent shortages is well documented. In the UK, TechNation has warned that the digital sector could struggle to maintain its current trajectory without urgent intervention. This isn’t a localised issue either—similar patterns are emerging across the globe, particularly with shortages in the USA, where engineering and environmental sectors are also struggling to attract and retain the necessary skills. Whether it’s AI, IoT, or sustainable design, the tools are ready. But unless we solve the people problem, the water industry risks being left behind just as the green revolution gains real traction.

Where Do We Go From Here?

Green technology is not a silver bullet, but it is a strategic advantage. For it to take root in water and wastewater management, we need more than investment—we need people.

This is a call to action for employers: get serious about talent acquisition, workforce development, and cross-sector collaboration. If we don’t address the skill shortages now, we risk falling behind just as the rest of the world is moving forward.

Speak to our team if you are looking for your next engineering position, or if your workforce requires additional resources for AMP8.

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