“What if?” is not doubt – it is the spark of invention, the first step toward everything that could be, if only we dared to ask. – MJ Martin
As April 2025 unfolds like the sunrise over a still lake, Spring is in the air. Spring is a time of renewal. A time to start again. It invites us to pause and consider what’s next. While it may seem like just another page flipped on the calendar, this moment presents a powerful opportunity to adjust course, challenge legacy thinking, and ask ourselves, “What if?”
Change is Here
It’s not just the technology that’s evolving – our entire methodology within the Canadian waterworks industry is undergoing transformation. Many municipalities have already recognized the shift, understanding that change is not some abstract thought on the horizon – it is here, and it is accelerating.
John F. Kennedy once said, “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” The message is clear: to succeed, we must evolve. Those who embrace change will lead. Those who resist it risk falling behind.
So with these ideas in mind, here are nine key trends shaping Canadian municipal waterworks in 2025:
1) Digital vs. Analog Meters
Digital ultrasonic meters now clearly outperform analog PD meters. With no moving parts, they deliver long-term accuracy, detect minute leaks, and require less maintenance. Their integration into AMI systems enables real-time insights, helping municipalities cut losses and improve billing precision. Analog meters are fading into obsolescence.
2) AMR vs. AMI
Automated Meter Reading (AMR) is being eclipsed by full-scale Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). Two-way communication, real-time diagnostics, and data-rich analytics make AMI essential for proactive utility management. With emerging capabilities like pressure monitoring, remote shut-off, and smart city integration, AMI is no longer a future goal – it is the new standard.
3) Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI is no longer experimental – it is operational. In 2025, AI is embedded into water systems to:
- Detect leaks and pressure drops
- Flag abnormal consumption patterns or illegal connections
- Predict infrastructure failure before it happens
Smart algorithms empower operators with predictive tools, reducing downtime and costly emergencies. AI doesn’t replace people – it makes them smarter, faster, and more effective.
4) Edge Computing
Edge computing has moved from theory to deployment. Processing data closer to the meter or sensor means:
- Immediate alerts and localized decisions
- Reduced latency and data traffic
- Smarter automation during labour shortages
When paired with AI, edge computing allows municipalities to optimize their systems independently, even during high-demand or crisis situations.
5) Alternate Wireless Networks
The push for wireless AMI has diversified connectivity. In 2025, municipalities are choosing from:
- LoRaWAN for long-range, low-power use
- Wi-SUN for mesh resiliency
- 5G cellular IoT for real-time, plug-and-play scalability
Cellular AMI networks are especially gaining traction, providing coverage in remote areas and reducing the cost and risk of network ownership. With built-in security, diagnostics, and flexibility for future techology, they are a practical solution in today’s rapidly changing landscape.
6) Single-Purpose vs. Multi-Purpose Networks
Single-purpose networks are custom-built for water utilities – reliable, secure, and purpose-driven. But the real opportunity lies in multi-purpose networks, which share infrastructure across departments, from water to transportation to public safety.
The challenge? Governance and collaboration. A shared vision is essential, along with a committed municipal champion. Once five or more stakeholders come together, the economics shift – and the shared investment unlocks city-wide innovation and long-term value.
7) Plan to Win
Strategic planning is the cornerstone of resilient infrastructure. From the smallest village to the largest city, proactive planning now includes:
- Predictive maintenance
- Long-term capital planning
- Climate adaptation
- Stakeholder engagement
2025 demands that every municipality have a vision – not just for tomorrow, but for the next decade.
8) It is Not Just About Cost
Lowest bid used to win every time. Not anymore.
Sustainability, lifecycle value, and service resilience now define procurement decisions. Municipalities are investing in high-quality, low-emission infrastructure that lasts longer, uses less energy, and supports long-term climate and equity goals. The new mantra: value over volume.
And yes – there is money in the data.
9) You: The Human Element
People still matter. In fact, they matter more than ever before.
The workforce is transitioning from wrench-turners to data managers, customer educators, and infrastructure innovators. Training, upskilling, and public engagement are now mission-critical. The future of water is not just pipes and platforms – it is about people.
Final Thoughts
April 2025 is the time to plan, rethink, and act. The future of Canada’s water systems depends on vision, funding, and the courage to evolve. New government infrastructure programs, private partnerships, and operational-expense-based funding models are enabling progress.
Most importantly, water systems are typically financed through service fees – not taxes – giving municipalities the flexibility to invest without overburdening taxpayers. This is an opportunity to build infrastructure that delivers value to the community without compromise.
So, as we settle into the comfortable arms of Spring 2025, ask yourself again: “What if?”
Let that question guide your next move.
About the Author:
Michael Martin is the Vice President of Technology with Metercor Inc., a Smart Meter, IoT, and Smart City systems integrator based in Canada. He has more than 40 years of experience in systems design for applications that use broadband networks, optical fibre, wireless, and digital communications technologies. He is a business and technology consultant. He was a senior executive consultant for 15 years with IBM, where he worked in the GBS Global Center of Competency for Energy and Utilities and the GTS Global Center of Excellence for Energy and Utilities. He is a founding partner and President of MICAN Communications and before that was President of Comlink Systems Limited and Ensat Broadcast Services, Inc., both divisions of Cygnal Technologies Corporation (CYN: TSX).
Martin served on the Board of Directors for TeraGo Inc (TGO: TSX) and on the Board of Directors for Avante Logixx Inc. (XX: TSX.V). He has served as a Member, SCC ISO-IEC JTC 1/SC-41 – Internet of Things and related technologies, ISO – International Organization for Standardization, and as a member of the NIST SP 500-325 Fog Computing Conceptual Model, National Institute of Standards and Technology. He served on the Board of Governors of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) [now Ontario Tech University] and on the Board of Advisers of five different Colleges in Ontario – Centennial College, Humber College, George Brown College, Durham College, Ryerson Polytechnic University [now Toronto Metropolitan University]. For 16 years he served on the Board of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), Toronto Section.
He holds three master’s degrees, in business (MBA), communication (MA), and education (MEd). As well, he has three undergraduate diplomas and seven certifications in business, computer programming, internetworking, project management, media, photography, and communication technology. He has completed over 50 next generation MOOC (Massive Open Online Courses) continuous education in a wide variety of topics, including: Economics, Python Programming, Internet of Things, Cloud, Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive systems, Blockchain, Agile, Big Data, Design Thinking, Security, Indigenous Canada awareness, and more.