Industrial Valves And Actuators In The Water And Wastewater Industry: Balancing Digitalization, Energy Efficiency And Asset Availability
- Jul 6
- 4 min read
The water and wastewater industry represents one of the most important application areas for industrial valves and electric actuator technology. From raw water abstraction and drinking water treatment to municipal and industrial wastewater processing, valves and actuators form the critical interface between process control, operational reliability and energy efficiency. Current investment programs aimed at modernizing critical infrastructure, combined with increasing demands for sustainability and digitalization, are further accelerating technological development.
While robustness and long service life were traditionally the primary requirements, the focus is increasingly shifting toward intelligent functionalities, condition monitoring and lifecycle optimization. Manufacturers are responding with innovative valve designs, digitalized actuator solutions and advanced diagnostic capabilities.
Digitalization Reaches the Field Level
The ongoing digital transformation of the water sector is fundamentally changing the requirements placed on valves and actuators. Today, operators expect more than reliable actuation; they also require detailed information on operating conditions, wear behavior and maintenance requirements. Modern electric actuators are increasingly functioning as intelligent field devices. They monitor valve position, torque, switching cycles, temperature and other process parameters. Through communication interfaces such as Profibus, Profinet, Modbus TCP and Ethernet/IP, this data can be integrated directly into process control systems and asset management platforms.
A major driver behind this development is predictive maintenance. Instead of relying on fixed maintenance intervals, digital diagnostic data enables condition-based servicing. This reduces unplanned downtime and increases the availability of critical plant assets.
AUMA is among the established suppliers of intelligent actuator solutions. Its latest actuator generations offer extensive diagnostic capabilities as well as remote parameterization and system integration functions. Particularly in large water distribution networks and wastewater treatment plants, such systems significantly simplify the monitoring of remotely installed valves.
Schiebel Actuators also consistently pursues the concept of intelligent actuator systems. Its modular electric actuators are increasingly being used not only for traditional open/close applications but also for demanding control duties. At the same time, cyber-secure communication solutions are gaining importance, as water infrastructure is classified as critical infrastructure and subject to stringent security requirements.
Energy Efficiency Remains the Dominant Investment Criterion
Alongside digitalization, energy efficiency continues to be the most important economic driver in the water sector. Pumping systems account for the largest share of electricity consumption in many facilities. Consequently, significant optimization potential exists through precise hydraulic control. Valves play a central role in this context. Modern control valves enable accurate regulation of pressure, flow and level. When combined with intelligent actuators, load fluctuations can be compensated dynamically and energy losses minimized.
This is particularly evident in long-distance water transmission systems and large transport pipelines, where even minor improvements in hydraulic operation can generate substantial energy savings over the entire lifecycle of the installation.
KSB addresses these challenges with a comprehensive portfolio of pumps, valves and digital monitoring solutions. The focus is on energy-efficient system concepts that combine hydraulic optimization with intelligent control. The increasing integration of pump and valve technologies is creating additional opportunities for process optimization.
At the same time, lifecycle analyses are becoming increasingly important. Operators are evaluating investment decisions over periods of 20 to 40 years, meaning that energy consumption, maintenance costs and asset availability often have a greater impact on overall economics than the initial purchase price.
Increasing Requirements for Control and Pressure Management
In parallel with energy efficiency initiatives, the precise control of hydraulic processes is becoming increasingly important. In drinking water networks in particular, pressure surges, fluctuating demand and changing operating conditions are creating higher demands on control technology. Pressure reducing valves, relief valves, level controllers and pressure sustaining valves play key roles in maintaining stable system performance. Modern control valves must deliver high control accuracy while ensuring low maintenance requirements and long-term operational stability.
Mankenberg is among the specialized manufacturers serving this segment. The company’s stainless-steel valves are used for pressure control, level regulation and process protection applications. In water treatment plants and industrial water processing facilities, corrosion-resistant materials and precise control characteristics provide significant advantages in terms of operational reliability and service life. Another important trend is the increasing integration of sensors directly into valve assemblies. Pressure, temperature and flow data can therefore be collected at the source and utilized for higher-level optimization strategies.
High Demands on Isolation Valves in Wastewater Applications
While hygiene and control accuracy are the primary concerns in drinking water systems, wastewater applications place greater emphasis on robust construction and wear resistance. Suspended solids, abrasive particles and chemically aggressive media impose demanding requirements on materials, sealing systems and actuator technology.
Gate valves, knife gate valves, butterfly valves and ball valves must remain fully operational even after extended periods of inactivity while meeting stringent leakage requirements. At the same time, automation demands are increasing as many facilities are now operated with minimal on-site personnel.
In this environment, high-performance isolation and control valves are becoming increasingly important. Zwick has extensive experience in both metal-seated and soft-seated industrial valve solutions designed for demanding process conditions. The growing demand for durable valves with minimized leakage rates reflects the current priorities of many water and wastewater operators. Furthermore, emission-free sealing concepts and wear-optimized materials are gaining prominence. The objective is to extend maintenance intervals while simultaneously improving operational reliability.
Outlook
The development of industrial valves and actuators for the water and wastewater industry will be shaped primarily by three key factors in the coming years: digitalization, energy efficiency and asset availability. At the same time, sustainability targets and lifecycle cost considerations will continue to gain importance.
To learn how manufacturers across the industry are responding to these challenges and shaping the future of valve and actuator technology, visit Valve World Expo 2026.
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