Performance Benchmarking in Nordic Water Utilities

Water utility associations in Denmark, Norway, Swedenand Finland operate utility data collection and benchmarking systems. The Finnish benchmarking system (VENLA) is under refurbishment and user-friendly facelift in order to achieve higher efficiency. The potential users of VENLA involve about 300 Finnish water utilities. In addition, a new national water services information system (VEETI) is under planning and implementation in Finland. VEETI is a step towards integrated and intelligent information and knowledge management systems. The aim of this paper is to suggest the enhanced utilisation of data in water utilities. The first step could be that appropriate data transfer interfaces are developed between the existing ICTsystems, VEETI and MISsystems of the utility. This could be developed into a holistic SmartWater management system. Utilities should prepare themselves for future and be ready to adopt smart technologies in their management and operations.