Sharing what works: Scaling digital water solutions

Across the globe, water utilities are under growing pressure to improve efficiency, anticipate risks, and serve rapidly expanding urban populations. Digital tools to optimize workflows at water and sanitation utilities, including artificial intelligence (AI), have already demonstrated strong operational benefits, but many utilities do not know where to begin their innovation journey.

That’s why the World Bank Group, through partners such as the Korea Green Growth Trust Fund, is mobilizing global learning partnerships that connect countries with proven leaders in digital water innovation. The goal: scaling digital utility transformation across the globe by sharing solutions. 

One such leader is K-water, South Korea’s national water provider, which has emerged as a global reference point for AI-enabled water operations.

Exchanging Knowledge to Spark Innovation

Recently the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation brought together water service providers from Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire, Albania, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, and the Solomon Islands to study K-water’s digital transformation journey firsthand. They observed AI-powered water treatment plants, explored Korea’s national data governance architecture, and saw how a clear digital strategy can unlock accelerated transformation. 

First key takeaway is the vision needs to be crystallized. ... The second one is improving our data governance and coming up with a strategy, a policy. I'll be the change agent, and I will pass the information to the rest of the team. —Priscillah Wamucii Githinji, Malindi Water and Sewerage Company Ltd., Kenya

K-water’s experience demonstrates that transformation in the water sector is achievable when guided by a clear roadmap, institutional commitment, and continuous learning. Three practical lessons emerged:

1. Start with strategy + data: formalize a digital strategy and strengthen data governance before scaling technology.
2. Shift from human to human + AI: invest in change management, skills, and public acceptance to drive adoption.
3. Test, measure, scale: start small, evaluate return on investment, and expand what works. Digital transformation is a multi-year journey.

For many, this was a turning point.

The most interesting thing I learned in this session is the use of AI ... in terms of smart operation, customer relationships, in terms of detecting leakages. [This will] be beneficial to apply in our environment. —N’GANZA Hermann, Société de distribution d'eau de la Côte d'Ivoire

Utility leaders left not just inspired, but eager to act.

[The] key next step is really for Solomon Water ... to ensure that our utility has a digital transformation strategy ... with an ultimate aim to achieve our vision and our mission as a company, it will better align us and it allows for better utilization of resources and prioritization as well driving more synergies and efficiencies. —Scravin Uka Tongi, Chief Operations Officer at Solomon Water, Solomon Islands

Applying Global Knowledge to Local Contexts 

Several participating utilities have already begun follow-up activities. For example, the Solomon Islands Water Authority organized a focused workshop on reducing nonrevenue water—that is, water that is lost before reaching a paying customer—using digital solutions to identify key prerequisites and the concrete actions and investments required. Others are exploring how to integrate digital components into World Bank–financed operations or have already done so, such as through the Guinea Water and Sanitation Project.

To strengthen the knowledge-into-operations loop, the World Bank is working with partners to shape a more structured, longer-term digital utility engagement model. This includes expanding blended training formats and exploring collaboration opportunities with digital transformation and AI leaders in the water sector. 

Building Country-Led Transformation Journeys 

The next phase of this partnership is not about copying Korea’s model—it is about helping countries build their own transformation journeys based on shared knowledge. Through online learning tools, advisory support, and practical implementation programs, the World Bank Group continues to work with water utilities to pilot tailored digital solutions and scale results.

Each country’s pathway will look different. Some may begin with basic data integration, others with utility workforce training, while others are ready to explore AI-enabled operations. What unites them is shared access to global best practices and a trusted partner to help navigate the journey.

This is how the World Bank Group delivers impact: not by providing one-size-fits-all solutions, but by turning global excellence into nationally owned progress—ensuring that every utility, regardless of its starting point, can build a more resilient, efficient, and service-oriented water future.