in Barcelona
3 to 5 Nov 2026In a significant move for French water infrastructure, Eau d’Azur, the public utility serving the Métropole Nice Côte d’Azur, has initiated a €5.9 million project to deploy a smart water network across approximately 3,000 km of aging infrastructure. The three-year initiative, backed by Agence de la transition écologique (ADEME) under the France 2030 plan, aims to reduce leaks, cut energy use and enhance resilience for more than 500,000 residents.
Located on France’s Mediterranean coast, the Métropole Nice Côte d’Azur region is facing growing water-stress challenges, including repeated drought alerts and elevated leak rates in its water distribution system. According to Eau d’Azur, nearly 50 % of water can be lost through leaks in some systems, underscoring the urgency for modernization.
Eau d’Azur serves 51 communes in the region.
Real-Time Digital Intelligence Across 3,000 km
At the core of the deployment is a digital water management system powered by Xylem Vue. Described as a modular and interoperable platform, it should consolidate thousands of data points from sensors, smart meters, and network equipment into a single operational environment.
Operators should be able to monitor nearly 3,000 km of the water network in real time. The system is expected to provide fault detection, predictive insights, and early warnings for issues such as equipment failures or sudden demand shifts. Residents are expected to benefit from fewer service interruptions and faster repairs during periods of stress.
AI-Enabled Operations and Decision Support
Artificial intelligence plays a central role in enhancing operational decision-making. Within the platform, AI tools will forecast water demand, predict resource availability, optimize withdrawal and treatment schedules, and support faster, data-driven interventions.
The system includes a chatbot interface that translates complex data into actionable information, simplifying decision processes for operators across the utility.
