Rethinking Water | The Use of AI for Water Conservation
Grupo Bimbo is committed to innovation and artificial intelligence to tackle the water crisis and promote sustainable water use.
In recent decades, the water crisis has intensified due to population growth, climate change, and increasing demand from key sectors such as agriculture and industry. Today, 2 billion people live in areas of high water scarcity, and over 700 million lack access to this essential resource.
At Grupo Bimbo, we recognize the urgency of water preservation and are working on innovative solutions to address it. For over a year and a half, a multidisciplinary team has been driving initiatives to optimize water use, reuse, and conservation. As part of these efforts, Bimbo Ventures introduced four startups specializing in water-related solutions, encouraging the adoption of new technologies. One standout example is a project developed by the Sustainability team at Barcel México in the Barcel Laguna plant, where water from the potato frying process is recovered and reused for washing, achieving a 20% reduction in consumption.
To further explore the role of technology in water management, we invited Rebeca Eun Young Hwang, an innovation expert and professor at Stanford and Thunderbird School of Global Management. According to Rebeca, artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionize water management by detecting patterns, identifying leaks, and predicting critical scenarios. However, to make a real impact, these tools must be combined with a comprehensive approach to conservation and efficiency.
Possible AI Applications in Water Management
AI is transforming water management by optimizing its use and improving efficiency across various industries. Advanced predictive models enable us to anticipate issues, enhance irrigation, and monitor water quality more accurately and accessibly.
In agriculture, AI powers precision farming, detects crop diseases, and optimizes resources such as water and fertilizers. It also improves supply chain management, reduces food waste, and promotes more sustainable practices.
As a key tool in automation, AI accelerates decision-making, reduces costs, and unlocks new opportunities for more efficient and intelligent water management.
Examples of AI in Water Treatment
Chemical Dosing: AI optimizes chemical use, cutting costs by 30%.
Overflow Prevention: AI predicts and prevents overflows in water treatment systems.
Effluent Quality: The quality of treated water improves by 15%.
Enhancing Water Distribution with AI
Smart Grids: AI manages dynamic water flow adjustments.
Waste Reduction: Water waste has been reduced by up to 25%.
Pump Efficiency: Optimized pumps save 20% energy.
Finally, in a rapidly evolving world, adopting advanced technologies is no longer an option but a necessity. As the analogy goes: “Are you investing in airplanes while your competition is building spaceships?” The difference between adapting and falling behind can be as vast as this comparison.
Water has an estimated economic value of $58 trillion, but its true worth lies in its fundamental role in life and sustainable development. At Grupo Bimbo, we continue moving forward with action and commitment, convinced that every small effort counts in Nourishing a Better World.
