ABB has secured a significant contract with Vitens, the largest drinking water supplier in the Netherlands, responsible for delivering 340 billion liters annually to over six million people. The project aims to modernize Vitens’ process automation system by upgrading approximately 200,000 input/output (I/O) connectors across around 250 sites. This initiative will enhance operational efficiency and ensure compliance with industry standards. The contract was finalized in Q2 2024.
The partnership between ABB and Vitens will unfold in two phases. Initially, ABB will develop a detailed plan and implement a pilot project at one of Vitens’ locations. After the pilot’s success, the remaining facilities will gradually transition to the new system over a seven-year period.
At the heart of the upgrade is ABB’s Ability™ System 800xA® Distributed Control System (DCS), which will integrate Vitens’ automation processes into a unified, streamlined structure. The new system will simplify operations, reduce maintenance costs, and provide centralized visibility, allowing operators to monitor key metrics such as water quality, flow rates, contaminant levels, and leak detection from a single control room. With Vitens managing 48,000 kilometers of pipelines, the upgrade will also bolster cybersecurity and improve operational resilience.
This automation initiative aligns with the global trend toward digitalization in the water sector, emphasizing increased efficiency, sustainability, and resilience to address challenges like water scarcity, aging infrastructure, and regulatory pressures.
“The rising demand for drinking water, the retirement of experienced technical personnel, and growing geopolitical cyberthreats present significant challenges to our operations. Safe, reliable, and standardized process automation is vital for ensuring the continuous and sustainable supply of water to our customers,” said Matthijs Zwart, CIO of Vitens. “ABB has been selected as our partner to achieve this goal, combining their expertise in automation with our extensive knowledge of water production.”
ABB will also provide ongoing support through a service agreement, ensuring the system’s longevity and regular updates. The upgraded system will meet the latest cybersecurity standards, such as IEC 62443 and ISO 27001, in compliance with the European Network and Information Security (NIS2) directive. Additionally, Vitens plans to implement the ISA106 standard to further improve safety and operational efficiency.
“At ABB, our focus is on preserving groundwater and ensuring that every drop of this vital resource is utilized efficiently,” said Per Erik Holsten, President of ABB Energy Industries. “Our collaboration with Vitens represents a major step towards building a future-proof automation framework for the water industry.”
This project marks ABB’s sixth water automation collaboration in the Netherlands. ABB’s water management solutions are designed to tackle challenges such as water scarcity, improve water quality, and boost energy efficiency, ensuring reliable water distribution from source to consumer.
