Modern telemetry as a workforce and safety solution

The International Water Association (IWA) and World Bank have both highlighted that 30–50% of the water workforce in many countries is expected to retire within the next 10–15 years. While infrastructure performance often dominates the conversation, the bigger issue is how utilities can run safer, smarter operations without overburdening already stretched teams. Here, Paul Stute, Product Manager for remote telemetry units (RTUs) at Ovarro, explains why modern telemetry is no longer just a technical upgrade. It’s a workforce enabler – helping teams do more with less while staying safe, connected and resilient in the face of rising pressures.

Ageing systems, cyber threats and growing compliance demands are among the most reported challenges facing water utilities. But another problem that shouldn’t be overlooked is workforce shortages. Recent joint research published by Utility Week and Marsh McLennan, the global risk and consulting firm, found that, “the risk of skilled workers and leaders being driven away from the sector had firmly embedded itself in the top ten,” of risks facing utilities.

Put simply, water utilities must maintain critical operations with fewer people, particularly as technical skills become harder to recruit and retain. At the same time, operational technology (OT) is becoming a key cyber vulnerability. With more devices connecting to SCADA, cloud and hybrid networks, the need for secure authentication, encryption and remote access has never been greater. So, how do companies balance and address all these challenges? Increasingly, water utilities are realising that the answer lies not in more boots on the ground, but in smarter, more strategic technology.