Stepping into the world of water system innovation, a partnership was formed between the Town of Cary’s water department and WithersRavenel. This partnership aims to focus on new technologies to help clients across the state. We partnered with the Town of Cary’s water department, where the staff has a well-developed and intuitive understanding of issues in their system. The Town has wanted to turn these intuitions into measurable metrics by defining key performance indicators (KPIs) and optimizing or automating time-intensive and/or manual solutions.
WithersRavenel’s team helped compile a report to provide research-based insight to guide Cary’s potential innovative investment decisions. The report sought to provide research-based context to inform Cary’s innovative investment decisions. The report concluded that the Town of Cary would need to look at the scale of effort it desires and whether it would want to push for an “all-in” implementation strategy similar to what its stormwater department has in place.
What does it take to bring innovation to an already well-run water system?
For Cary, the answer lies in transforming deep institutional knowledge into actionable data, making the leap from intuition to information. In 2023, WithersRavenel and Cary’s water department to create a framework for evaluating emerging technologies and using data to drive smarter, future-focused decisions. At the heart of the challenge was a familiar tension: the need to modernize a high-performance system without disrupting what already works.
Navigating Innovation in a Risk-Averse Industry
Cary’s water department had a firm grasp of its distribution system, but like many utilities, it faced a key moment in its technology lifecycle. Its Automated Meter Infrastructure (AMI) was nearing the end of its useful life, prompting the need for reinvestment. However, today’s AMI offerings are about more than just meter readings; they can serve as gateways to predictive analytics, real-time system diagnostics, and broader community-planning strategies.
But how does a utility move forward with confidence when the industry’s options are vast, fast-evolving, and often laden with technical jargon?
That is where WithersRavenel came in.
A Research-Based Framework for Smart Investment
WithersRavenel set out to provide Cary with more than just a list of product options. Our goal was to create a clear, data-driven framework for evaluating innovations, helping Cary not only choose wisely but also prepare for long-term growth.
WithersRavenel’s Utilities team started by acquiring and assessing existing system data: hydraulic models, SCADA records, and prior studies. To supplement this baseline, we deployed hydrant pressure recorders (HPRs) and piloted cloud-based monitoring solutions to test real-world performance. This hands-on approach ensured that Cary’s unique system needs remained at the center of the analysis.
The findings were then placed within the broader landscape of current water industry innovations: Internet of Things (IoT) applications, temporary versus fixed monitoring infrastructure, proprietary versus vendor-agnostic systems, and tools like machine learning, artificial intelligence, and digital twins.
A Roadmap for Informed Innovation
WithersRavenel delivered a final report that did not just recommend technology, it offered Cary a strategy. The report contextualized each option based on Cary’s comfort with automation and desired pace of innovation. Importantly, it translated technical and industry-specific language into visuals, analogies, and terms that were accessible to decision-makers at every level.
By building this roadmap, Cary is now positioned to make investments that go beyond compliance and efficiency. They can lead with intention, adopting tools that proactively manage system performance, identify future challenges, and elevate service for residents.
Reflecting on the project’s broader significance, WithersRavenel’s Director of Water/Wastewater Master Planning, Nina Caraway, PE, explains:
“This project can help demystify the vendor landscape and provide a framework that communities can use to guide their investment in new technologies.”
A Model for Communities Across the State
This partnership between Cary and WithersRavenel offers a replicable model for other municipalities facing similar crossroads. Innovation in the water sector does not have to mean disruption. It can be a measured, informed process that honors existing expertise while opening doors to transformative growth.
WithersRavenel’s approach shows that with the right guidance and the right framework, even the most risk-averse utilities can embrace change confidently and turn data into their most powerful asset.