City of Ames Launches Digital Water Project to Modernize Urban Water Cycle

Image source: Ames City Council

Published on May 25, 2025

The Ames City Council has begun implementing the Ames Digital Water project, aimed at modernizing the urban water cycle through digitalization. With a total budget of €1,356,375.49, the initiative is primarily funded by EU recovery funds (83.4%), while the remaining 16.6% (€225,065.72) comes from municipal resources.

The project, supported by Spain’s Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan (PRTR) and Next Generation EU funds, focuses on improving water management efficiency from supply to reuse. Initial contracts worth over €220,000 (including VAT) have already been awarded for key components, including:

• Emergency drought risk plans

• Water supply and sanitation strategies

• Leak detection systems using geophones and drones

• Energy audits for treatment plants to reduce CO₂ emissions

• Smart sensor systems and QR/NFC tagging for infrastructure maintenance

Further efforts include developing a WebApp for water management operations and promoting public engagement through digital platforms. The project aims to enhance sustainability, reduce water waste, and establish a replicable model for semi-urban areas facing similar challenges.

By integrating advanced technologies, Ames seeks to optimize water resource use, improve service transparency, and strengthen environmental resilience.

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