Aging water infrastructure continues to pose challenges to the utility industry. Utilities are under pressure to modernize these aging systems and ensure safe, reliable service for their customers. Many of these often decades-old water systems require frequent inspections, repairs, and maintenance, while needing to be monitored for leaks and water loss.
Along with aging infrastructure, water utilities are addressing other important public health and environmental issues. Water quality is a top priority, and in recent years, utilities have taken steps to address PFAS, which are long-lasting chemicals sometimes found in water that may be linked to harmful health effects. Not to mention, water utilities are also taking the required steps to identify and replace lead piping with the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements.
With mounting challenges, workers need to be more productive than ever in the field while identifying, verifying, tracking, documenting, fixing, and reporting issues and resolutions.
Technology is bridging the gap between a stretched-thin water utility workforce and the productivity required to meet today’s operational demands. A recent survey by the American Water Works Association shows that investments in new treatment technologies, digital solutions, and green alternatives are anticipated to more than double in the next 1-3 years. This investment highlights the industry’s growing commitment to innovation and digital transformation as key strategies for extending the life and performance of critical infrastructure.
As utilities increase focus on modernization, rugged mobile solutions like TOUGHBOOK laptops and 2-in-1 tablets are becoming essential tools for managing aging infrastructure and a limited workforce. Here’s how these devices improve communication and enable more productive, informed, and proactive water utility operations:
TOUGHBOOK solutions empower water utility crews to stay connected and productive 24/7, no matter the weather, location, or challenge. Built to withstand the toughest environments, TOUGHBOOK devices are MIL-STD and IP-rated to endure extreme temperatures, dust, water, and drops, ensuring reliable performance in the harshest field conditions.
For water utility workers facing physically demanding roles with high expectations, technology failures aren’t just inconvenient; they’re a source of frustration and burnout. Commercial-grade devices often can’t keep up with the strenuous, mobile nature of this work, leading to decreased productivity and costly downtime. TOUGHBOOK laptops and tablets put powerful, purpose-built technology directly into the hands of water utility crews, boosting efficiency without compromising ergonomics. For example, glove touch screens and trackpads and uniquely designed handles for carrying the device fit within workflows, requiring no additional attention or considerations. With devices designed to withstand the demands of the job, workers can stay focused on their tasks, not whether their tech can keep up.
At the same time, water utilities are grappling with a looming workforce shift: nearly one-third of the water sector workforce are eligible to retire in the next 10 years. This puts additional pressure on utilities to recruit, train, and retain new talent – and to do it quickly. Rugged technology plays a key role in supporting these efforts by helping less experienced technicians stay productive in the field by enabling remote support and real-time collaboration with experts who may not be on-site.
With these reliable tools in hand, water utility crews can access real-time data, work orders, GIS maps, and repair documentation while on site. When crews know exactly where infrastructure needs to be fixed or upgraded, repairs and modernization efforts can be completed faster, and more accurately – reducing worker downtime, minimizing repeat visits, and supporting a more resilient workforce.
With multiple connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, 4G, 5G, and other industry-specific private LTE networks, TOUGHBOOK laptops and tablets provide water utility workers with reliable uptime wherever the job takes them. This enables real-time communication between field workers and control centers, helping streamline workflows and maximize crew productivity.
Crews out in the field can receive live updates, log service activity, and monitor system performance instantly, all at their fingertips. Plus, when paired with IoT sensors and data analytics, TOUGHBOOK solutions support faster diagnostics and more efficient resource allocation. If a pressure drop is detected by a sensor on a remote pipeline, the nearest technician can be notified in real-time, allowing them to assess the issue and prevent a costly main break before it happens.
Access to reliable digital tools allows utilities to shift from reactive to proactive and predictive maintenance strategies. TOUGHBOOK solutions support advanced monitoring and data collection, helping field teams detect early warning signs of equipment wear or leaks before they turn into service disruptions.
By identifying and addressing issues before, or as they happen, water utilities can significantly reduce unplanned disruptions and improve customer satisfaction. Predictive maintenance also helps utilities extend asset life, reduce costs, and make more informed decisions about where to invest in future infrastructure upgrades.
As these systems become more connected, cybersecurity is becoming increasingly essential – and protecting assets is vital to ensuring uninterrupted service. Panasonic Connect and Absolute Security ensure greater device and data security by embedding Absolute’s Persistence endpoint security technology directly into the firmware of TOUGHBOOK devices. This creates a centralized management platform for water utilities to keep assets safe, even in situations where a device’s hard drive is wiped or replaced. Plus, Panasonic’s Smart Compliance platform provides the security and visibility that organizations need to monitor the health and safety of the firmware on field service technicians’ endpoint devices. The platform has access to a comprehensive database of hardware, software, and firmware components, which allows teams to implement 360-degree protections.
With the challenges of aging infrastructure growing, rugged mobile technologies are proving essential to infrastructure modernization efforts. TOUGHBOOK solutions for utilities don’t just make fieldwork more productive and efficient – they empower water utility providers with the data, tools, and security they need to optimize operations and deliver reliable service well into the future. By equipping field teams with the latest technology, water utilities can speed up inspections, increase first-time fixes or repairs, stretch infrastructure investments further, and build a more resilient, responsive water utility system.