Autonomous water plants are here—and 49 of them are already running in China, serving 17 million people with no one on-site. Dr. Kim Wu unpacks this jaw-dropping stat and what it signals for digital twins, smart networks, and the new edge of AI in water. She also flags the rise of low-power IoT and how cybersecurity is shifting from afterthought to core infrastructure need. Later, we welcome Dr. Rick Woodling, the newest member of BlueTech’s TAG team, dialing in from Hawaii. He’s keeping a close eye on next-gen RO, new moves in ZLD, and a massively under-discussed opportunity: recovering industrial acids before they go down the drain. From plasma PFAS treatment to additive manufacturing of ceramic membranes, this episode tracks where water innovation is moving fast—and where it’s still catching up.

Join the web briefings and explore the full Horizon Scans:

July 22 – Identifying the next water sector “Unicorn” technologies | Download Horizon Scan

July 24 – Point-of-Use / Point-of-Entry Trends | Download Horizon Scan

July 31 – Plasma Water Treatment: A Clear and Urgent Need | Download Horizon Scan

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Presented by BlueTech Research®, Actionable Water Technology Market Intelligence.

Watch the trailer of Our Blue World: A Water Odyssey. Get involved, and learn more on the website: braveblue.world