--- title: "Regional Smart Water Platforms: Transforming Utility Collaboration and Resilience" description: Discover how GLWA’s AURA smart water platform, powered by Aquasight, unites 112 communities with real-time water quality, flow, and asset insights to improve efficiency, resilience, and collaboration. image: https://www.aquasight.io/hubfs/glwa%20article%20pic%201.png --- [Skip to Content](https://www.aquasight.io/blog/regional-smart-water-platform-glwa-aquasight#main) [![Aquasight logo](https://www.aquasight.io/hubfs/assets/logos/logo-full-color.svg) ![Aquasight logo](https://www.aquasight.io/hubfs/assets/logos/logo-on-dark.svg)](https://www.aquasight.io/) - [Solutions](https://www.aquasight.io/solutions) - [AMP™ Asset performance, risk & capital planning](https://www.aquasight.io/solutions/asset-management-water-wastewater) - [ACE™ Collection network management](https://www.aquasight.io/solutions/wastewater-collection-monitoring) - [AVA™ AI water assistant](https://www.aquasight.io/solutions/ava) - [ATLAS™ Water pump health & operation](https://www.aquasight.io/solutions/water-pump-monitoring) - [AURA™ Water network management](https://www.aquasight.io/solutions/smart-water-distribution) - [APOLLO™ Treatment optimization & compliance](https://www.aquasight.io/solutions/wastewater-treatment) - [AQSYNC™ Data integration & observability](https://www.aquasight.io/solutions/ai-water-utilities) - [Who We Help](https://www.aquasight.io/who-we-help) - [Directors](https://www.aquasight.io/who-we-help#directors) - [Engineers](https://www.aquasight.io/who-we-help#engineers) - [Utility Operators](https://www.aquasight.io/who-we-help#utility-operators) - [Maintenance Technicians](https://www.aquasight.io/who-we-help#maintenance-technicians) - [Asset Managers & Finance](https://www.aquasight.io/who-we-help#asset-managers-finance) - [Compliance Officers & Environmental Managers](https://www.aquasight.io/who-we-help#compliance-officers) - [Industry Insights](https://www.aquasight.io/industry-insights) - [Case Studies](https://www.aquasight.io/industry-insights#case-studies) - [Articles](https://www.aquasight.io/industry-insights#articles) - [Product Sheets](https://www.aquasight.io/industry-insights#product-sheets) - [Blog](https://www.aquasight.io/blog) Podcast ## 21st Century Water Meet water leaders facing existing and emerging challenges, and dive deep into novel solutions that produce tangible results. [Listen for Free](https://21299302.hs-sites.com/water-utilities-podcast) - [About Us](https://www.aquasight.io/about) - [News](https://www.aquasight.io/blog) - [Press Releases](https://www.aquasight.io/industry-insights#press-releases) - [Careers](https://www.aquasight.io/careers) - [Contact Us](https://www.aquasight.io/contact) - [Partners](https://www.aquasight.io/partners) - [Trust Center](https://www.aquasight.io/trust-center) - [Talk to an Expert](https://www.aquasight.io/lp/talk-with-expert) Menu Aquasight exhibiting and speaking at Weftec, New Orleans Sept 26-30, 2026.  [See More Details.](https://www.aquasight.io/blog/aquasight-exhibiting-and-speaking-at-weftec-new-orleans-sept-26-30-2026) ![background image](https://www.aquasight.io/hubfs/assets/graphic-elements/blog-post-bg-texture.jpg) [Smart Water Solutions](https://www.aquasight.io/blog/tag/smart-water-solutions) August 12, 2025 # Regional Smart Water Platforms: Transforming Utility Collaboration and Resilience *From complex infrastructure to climate variability, utilities are facing more interconnected risks than ever. The Great Lakes Water Authority’s AURA platform, powered by Aquasight, demonstrates how shared digital intelligence can transform regional water management—driving efficiency, transparency, and collaboration across dozens of communities.* *Authored by: Suzanne Coffey, CEO, GLWA, Mahesh Lunani, Founder & CEO, Aquasight* ## Why a Regional Smart Water Platform Still Matters GLWA’s service area is massive: - 3.8 million residents - 1,698 square miles - 5 treatment plants and 19 pump stations - Dozens of local distribution systems with varying levels of resources and technical maturity ![glwa article pic 4](https://www.aquasight.io/hs-fs/hubfs/glwa%20article%20pic%204.jpg?width=424&height=362&name=glwa%20article%20pic%204.jpg) ![glwa article pic 3](https://www.aquasight.io/hs-fs/hubfs/glwa%20article%20pic%203.jpg?width=525&height=400&name=glwa%20article%20pic%203.jpg) In a network this size, **a problem in one community can ripple across many others**. Stagnation, pressure fluctuations, or main breaks in one area can quickly affect neighbors. The AURA platform was built to **pinpoint, share, and solve these issues collaboratively and in real time**. ## From Data Collection to Actionable Insights ![glwa article pic 1](https://www.aquasight.io/hs-fs/hubfs/glwa%20article%20pic%201.png?width=648&height=538&name=glwa%20article%20pic%201.png) The platform integrates: - GIS boundaries - Thousands of water quality sample sites - 334 flow and pressure meters streaming live data - Weather radar feeds Beyond being a data repository, AURA delivers **actionable intelligence**: - Chlorine heat maps and early water quality warnings - Flushing advisors - Flow and pressure analytics - Smart reporting - Asset management and risk scoring - Smart meter integration for water loss detection and anomaly alerts ![glwa article pic 5](https://www.aquasight.io/hs-fs/hubfs/glwa%20article%20pic%205.jpg?width=703&height=465&name=glwa%20article%20pic%205.jpg) Communities with advanced capabilities can even integrate hydraulic models and distribution pressure maps, while those with less digital maturity still gain immediate value from baseline features.   ## Real-World Wins for Communities The operational benefits from AURA are both measurable and practical: - **Hydraulic Model Calibration:** One city used AURA’s digital twin capabilities to fine-tune its model and redesign sampling sites for better water quality management. - **Faster Leak Response:** Smart meter anomaly detection flagged customer leaks weeks earlier than before, saving residents thousands. - **Post-Repair Insights:** AURA identified a closed valve left after a main repair, preventing chlorine residual instability from going undetected. - **Automated Flow Tracking:** A township uses daily flow comparisons to quickly spot unusual consumption patterns without manual data crunching ## Key Advantages for Utilities The AURA platform was designed to address some of the most pressing priorities for utility leaders: - **Procurement Efficiency:** One central contract replaced the need for separate procurements across 112 communities. - **Standardization + Flexibility:** A common set of metrics and training materials, adaptable to each community’s technical capacity. - **Risk Management:** Real-time intelligence for troubleshooting and transparency. - **Workforce Transition:** Capturing institutional knowledge for the next generation of operators. - **Automation:** Routine summaries and alerts free up staff for higher-value tasks. ## Looking Ahead The GLWA-AURA example shows that **regional collaboration is both a performance and resilience strategy**. In an environment where water systems face complex infrastructure, evolving regulations, and increasing service expectations, the ability to share intelligence and act in unison is invaluable. For utilities considering their own smart water journey, the path is clear: **Start with shared goals, build a common platform, and design it to scale with technology and talent over time.** [**Download the full piece here**](https://www.aquasight.io/hubfs/AURA%20Regional%20Smart%20Water%20Platform%20Provides%20Widespread%20Benefits.pdf) Share this post - - - - Industry Insights ## Related posts ![](https://www.aquasight.io/hs-fs/hubfs/WEFTEC_2026_Features_Graphic.png?width=450&height=250&name=WEFTEC_2026_Features_Graphic.png) [Webinar](https://www.aquasight.io/blog/tag/webinar) Aug 24, 2026 [Aquasight exhibiting and speaking at Weftec, New Orleans Sept 26-30, 2026.](https://www.aquasight.io/blog/aquasight-exhibiting-and-speaking-at-weftec-new-orleans-sept-26-30-2026) [Read More](https://www.aquasight.io/blog/aquasight-exhibiting-and-speaking-at-weftec-new-orleans-sept-26-30-2026) ![](https://www.aquasight.io/hs-fs/hubfs/Aquasight%20Webinar%20Blog%20Image.png?width=450&height=250&name=Aquasight%20Webinar%20Blog%20Image.png) [Webinar](https://www.aquasight.io/blog/tag/webinar) Mar 23, 2026 [AI & Technology: Promise to Practice: Real Utilities. Real Solutions](https://www.aquasight.io/blog/ai-technology-promise-to-practice-real-utilities.-real-solutions) [Read More](https://www.aquasight.io/blog/ai-technology-promise-to-practice-real-utilities.-real-solutions) ![Screenshot of Aquasight AVA™ AI Utility Assistant analyzing sensor data and providing actionable insights for water and wastewater utilities.](https://www.aquasight.io/hs-fs/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-09-23%20at%204.15.03%20PM.png?width=450&height=250&name=Screenshot%202025-09-23%20at%204.15.03%20PM.png) [AI in Water Utilities](https://www.aquasight.io/blog/tag/ai-in-water-utilities) Sep 29, 2025 [A New Era of Utility Intelligence: Aquasight Unveils Three Breakthrough Innovations at WEFTEC 2025](https://www.aquasight.io/blog/aquasight-weftec-2025-ai-data-asset-management-innovations) [Read More](https://www.aquasight.io/blog/aquasight-weftec-2025-ai-data-asset-management-innovations) ![background image](https://www.aquasight.io/hubfs/assets/graphic-elements/global-cta-bar-bg-texture.svg) ## Optimize operational efficiency in weeks, not months. 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