The dire need to address water usage and its long-term sustainability is a top priority for urban localities worldwide. For Christchurch City Council, this called for the strategic adoption of technology. With the recent SAP S/4HANA implementation, the council has not only made significant strides in managing excess water demand but also set a precedent for other city councils in ensuring a sustainable future.
Christchurch City Council oversees a comprehensive network that provides water to around 148,000 households. This infrastructure, which includes wells, reservoirs, pipes, pump stations, and aquifers, faces an uphill task during summer months when excess water usage peaks. An analysis revealed that this spike in consumption wasn’t widespread. Interestingly, a mere 4% of Christchurch households accounted for a staggering 23% of the entire residential water consumption. A bulk of this was attributed to outdoor activities like irrigation, gardening, and unchecked water leaks.
To streamline this disparity and ensure equitable distribution, the Council took an innovative approach. They opted for a second instance of SAP S/4HANA, laying the groundwork for a new excess water rate. This ingenious move was geared towards multiple objectives – managing the heightened water demand during summer months, minimizing pressure fluctuations in the water network, cutting down capital expenditure in expanding the network, and fortifying the long-term sustainability of the water supply.
Quantifying the Impact of the SAP S/4HANA Implementation
Post SAP S/4HANA implementation, the results have been nothing short of remarkable. The Council registered a commendable 13% drop in household water consumption, with an optimistic projection of this figure reaching around 20% in the subsequent year. Additionally, one-fourth of high-consumption households, which were earlier consuming an overwhelming 6,000 liters daily, have now addressed and rectified water leaks.
Further magnifying the success of this initiative is the community’s proactive involvement. The council’s water reporter page, designed to provide insights into individual property water usage, witnessed over 444,000 visits. This reflects the community’s burgeoning commitment towards water sustainability and conscious consumption.
Leveraging SAP Technology for Tangible Change
Drawing insights from Leah Scales, the General Manager of Resources and Chief Financial Officer at Christchurch City Council, the implementation was more than just a technological upgrade. It was in alignment with the council’s overarching vision of creating a sustainable district and meeting climate change benchmarks. With SAP’s state-of-the-art solution, they have efficiently alleviated the strain on the water network, subsequently resulting in substantial savings related to infrastructure maintenance and development. The ripple effect of this initiative has led to a more informed and conscious community, with a growing number of residents actively partaking in water conservation measures.
Nick Quin, Director of Public Sector at SAP New Zealand, reiterates the transformative power of technology. He emphasizes how meaningful and lasting impacts can be cultivated by harnessing technology and data analytics. Christchurch City Council’s journey with SAP S/4HANA also underlines this belief, encapsulating how technology can be a cornerstone in crafting a sustainable future.
The SAP S/4HANA implementation at Christchurch City Council stands as a beacon for urban localities grappling with sustainability challenges. By seamlessly blending technology with administrative intent, the Council has also carved out a blueprint that can inspire and guide other cities in their sustainability quests.
