Net Zero is Not a Burden: AI & Smart Water with Xylem

Net Zero is Not a Burden: AI & Smart Water with Xylem

From Liquid Assets by Ravi Kurani

December 10, 2025 · 38 min

About this episode

The episode discusses how AI and digital tools can enhance operational efficiency and cost savings in the water sector while addressing climate mitigation challenges.

Is climate mitigation just an expensive burden for water utilities? Alexis de Kerchove (Senior Director, Client Sustainability at Xylem) argues the opposite: the path to Net Zero is actually the key to operational efficiency and cost savings. In this episode, Ravi Kurani and Alexis de Kerchove break down how digital tools and machine learning are revolutionizing the water sector. We explore the "invisible" emissions of wastewater, fugitive nitrous oxide and energy-intensive pumping, and how AI is solving these problems without requiring massive new infrastructure. We discuss: The "Burden" Myth: Why sustainability is actually an efficiency strategy. Sponge Cities: Using data to optimize existing networks instead of building concrete. Fugitive Emissions: Tackling the silent climate impact of biological treatment. Smart Assets: How self-cleaning pumps and digital twins prevent failure. The Silver Tsunami: Turning the workforce shortage into a recruiting advantage. Sponsored by HASA: The leader in eco-friendly water treatment. Learn more at hasa.com . Links: Connect with Alexis de Kerchove on LinkedIn Visit Xylem.com Subscribe to the Liquid Assets Newsletter at…

People in this episode

Host: Ravi Kurani

Guest: Alexis de Kerchove

Topics covered

  • climate mitigation
  • operational efficiency
  • cost savings
  • digital tools
  • machine learning
  • sustainability
  • water sector

Keywords

  • Net Zero
  • water utilities
  • fugitive emissions
  • smart assets
  • sponge cities
  • self-cleaning pumps
  • digital twins

Sponsors

HASA

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Xylem

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