Impact of COVID-19, Technology, and Organizational Leadership Business Considerations in the Water Sector

Abstract

Technology and organizational leadership are a part of most major businesses, and this is no different for businesses in the water sector. Delivery of clean drinking water and the treatment of wastewater are priorities for utilities in the United States as they seek to serve their communities. Existing infrastructure continues to age and faces a challenging future ahead as delivery demands grow. Leaders need tools to adequately prioritize, support, and sustain water assets and services for their communities. Continuous improvement mechanisms that could help achieve desired outcomes point to ubiquitous utility themes, such as best practices, artificial intelligence (AI) applications, and regulatory considerations for pre-COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 periods. This chapter will consider the impact of the pandemic on the already strained water sector to determine what has been working for whom and when; this chapter will discuss interdisciplinary lessons learned and culminate in recommendations for effective utility management and optimization.