{
"headline": "Bridging the gap: Bringing agile innovation to the water sector", "subhead": "June 04, 2025",
"headerStyle": "image",
"promotionalImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/027\/water\u002Dtreatment\u002Dplant\u002Dadobestock\u002D430070734.jpg",
"breadcrumbs": [
{
"url": "\/en\/ideas.html",
"text": "Ideas"
}
]
}
{
"description": "",
"ideasArticleShareLabel": "Share",
"projectShareLabel": "Share",
"networks": [
"linkedin",
"twitter",
"email"
]
}
{
"text": "For Water Online, Pooja Mahajan writes about the need to adopt the agile tech development model for innovation in the water industry"
}
{
"text": "
The water industry has long been grounded in reliability, regulatory compliance, and proven engineering practices. These strengths have kept our systems running for decades—but they have also made the sector slow to adopt modern technologies. As utilities face rising challenges—from aging infrastructure and climate volatility to workforce shortages and increasing public expectations—the need for digital tools has never been clearer.
Yet our approach to building and implementing technology often clashes with how digital solutions are actually developed. To meet the moment, we need to rethink not just what tools we use, but how we partner to build them.
" }
{
"as": "a",
"children": "Read Full Article",
"href": "https:\/\/www.wateronline.com\/doc\/bridging\u002Dthe\u002Dgap\u002Dbringing\u002Dagile\u002Dinnovation\u002Dto\u002Dthe\u002Dwater\u002Dsector\u002D0001",
"target": "_blank",
"variant": "big-button"
}
{
"description": "",
"ideasArticleShareLabel": "Share",
"projectShareLabel": "Share",
"networks": [
"linkedin",
"twitter",
"email"
]
}
{
"spacerHeight": "40"
}
{
"headline": "Related Ideas",
"link": {
"text":"View More Ideas",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/market\/water.html"
},
"newTab": false,
"uuid": "8f4dce7d\u002Deb7f\u002D43e1\u002D8bff\u002D8cfb6198cd74",
"themeClass": "home-related-items-2",
"tabs": [
{
"headline": "",
"active": true,
"tabLabel": "stantec.components.slideCard",
"pages": [
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "stantec.components.slideCard 0 - NASTT No-Dig North Conference: Stantec Presentation Schedule",
"link": {
"text":"NASTT No\u002DDig North Conference: Stantec Presentation Schedule",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/conference\/nastt\u002Dno\u002Ddig\u002Dnorth\u002Dconference\u002Dstantec\u002Dpresentation\u002Dschedule.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0037\/kenilworth\u002Dtrunk\u002Dwatermain\u002D249265.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "NASTT No\u002DDig North Conference: Stantec Presentation Schedule",
"overwriteSubhead": "Conference",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "stantec.components.slideCard 1 - International Water Conference 2026—Stantec Presentation Schedule",
"link": {
"text":"International Water Conference 2026—Stantec Presentation Schedule",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/conference\/iwc\u002D2026\u002Dstantec\u002Dpresentation\u002Dschedule.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/019\/water\u002Dtreatment\u002Dadobestock\u002D355711719.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "International Water Conference 2026—Stantec Presentation Schedule",
"overwriteSubhead": "Conference",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "stantec.components.slideCard 2 - Local knowledge and experience make the difference for projects in Canada’s North",
"link": {
"text":"Local knowledge and experience make the difference for projects in Canada’s North",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2026\/local\u002Dknowledge\u002Dexperience\u002Dmake\u002Ddifference\u002Dfor\u002Dprojects\u002Dcanada\u002Dnorth.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0005\/local\u002Dknowledge\u002Dexperience\u002Dcanadas\u002Dnorth.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Local knowledge and experience make the difference for projects in Canada’s North",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "stantec.components.slideCard 3 - Reimagining landfill waste: A surprising new energy source",
"link": {
"text":"Reimagining landfill waste: A surprising new energy source",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2026\/reimagining\u002Dlandfill\u002Dwaste\u002Dsurprising\u002Dnew\u002Denergy\u002Dsource.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0005\/geothermal\u002Dleachate\u002Dlandfill\u002Dwaste.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Reimagining landfill waste: A surprising new energy source",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "stantec.components.slideCard 4 - Data center development: Why early planning and coordination matter at every stage",
"link": {
"text":"Data center development: Why early planning and coordination matter at every stage",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2026\/data\u002Dcenter\u002Ddevelopment\u002Dwhy\u002Dearly\u002Dplanning\u002Dcoordination\u002Dmatter\u002Dat\u002Devery\u002Dstage.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/029\/server\u002Droom\u002Dadobestock\u002D325274251.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Data center development: Why early planning and coordination matter at every stage",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "stantec.components.slideCard 5 - From pilot to practice: Intensifying nutrient removal",
"link": {
"text":"From pilot to practice: Intensifying nutrient removal",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2026\/from\u002Dpilot\u002Dto\u002Dpractice\u002Dintensifying\u002Dnutrient\u002Dremoval.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0005\/water\u002Dpilots\u002Dnutrient\u002Dremoval.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "From pilot to practice: Intensifying nutrient removal",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "stantec.components.slideCard 6 - Nature is critical infrastructure for businesses, cities, and communities",
"link": {
"text":"Nature is critical infrastructure for businesses, cities, and communities",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2026\/nature\u002Dis\u002Dcritical\u002Dinfrastructure\u002Dfor\u002Dbusinesses\u002Dcities\u002Dcommunities.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0133\/puding\u002Dwater\u002Denvironment\u002Dimprovement\u002D2.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Nature is critical infrastructure for businesses, cities, and communities",
"overwriteSubhead": "Podcast",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "stantec.components.slideCard 7 - Harnessing AI and intelligent assets in wastewater",
"link": {
"text":"Harnessing AI and intelligent assets in wastewater",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2026\/harnessing\u002Dai\u002Dintelligent\u002Dassets\u002Dwastewater.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/027\/wastewater\u002Dtreatment\u002Dplant\u002Dadobestock\u002D524727983.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Harnessing AI and intelligent assets in wastewater",
"overwriteSubhead": "Podcast",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "stantec.components.slideCard 8 - Delivering defence infrastructure in Canada’s North",
"link": {
"text":"Delivering defence infrastructure in Canada’s North",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2026\/delivering\u002Ddefence\u002Dinfrastructure\u002Dcanadas\u002Dnorth.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0005\/defence\u002Dinfrastructure\u002Dcanadas\u002Dnorth.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Delivering defence infrastructure in Canada’s North",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "stantec.components.slideCard 9 - Blending gray and green infrastructure for improved collection system performance",
"link": {
"text":"Blending gray and green infrastructure for improved collection system performance",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2026\/blending\u002Dgray\u002Dgreen\u002Dinfrastructure\u002Dfor\u002Dimproved\u002Dcollection\u002Dsystem\u002Dperformance.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0009\/spring\u002Dhill\u002Dsewer\u002Dseparation\u002Dmobility\u002D269394.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Blending gray and green infrastructure for improved collection system performance",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "stantec.components.slideCard 10 - How does innovative funding unlock climate‑ready infrastructure?",
"link": {
"text":"How does innovative funding unlock climate‑ready infrastructure?",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2026\/how\u002Ddoes\u002Dinnovative\u002Dfunding\u002Dunlock\u002Dclimate\u002Dready\u002Dinfrastructure.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/029\/flooded\u002Droad\u002Duk\u002Dadobestock\u002D1702323477.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "How does innovative funding unlock climate‑ready infrastructure?",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "stantec.components.slideCard 11 - From pilot to practice: Derisking water innovation",
"link": {
"text":"From pilot to practice: Derisking water innovation",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2026\/from\u002Dpilot\u002Dto\u002Dpractice\u002Dderisking\u002Dwater\u002Dinnovation.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0005\/derisking\u002Dwater\u002Dinnovation.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "From pilot to practice: Derisking water innovation",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "stantec.components.slideCard 12 - Tailings management north of parallel 60",
"link": {
"text":"Tailings management north of parallel 60",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2026\/tailings\u002Dmanagement\u002Dnorth\u002Dparallel\u002D60.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/pdf\u002Dpromo\u002Dimages\/004\/grise\u002Dfiord\u002Dnunavut\u002Dadobestock\u002D653495458.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Tailings management north of parallel 60",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "stantec.components.slideCard 13 - Exploring AI’s role in wastewater treatment",
"link": {
"text":"Exploring AI’s role in wastewater treatment",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2026\/exploring\u002Dai\u002Drole\u002Dwastewater\u002Dtreatment.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0005\/wastewater\u002Dtreatment\u002Dplant\u002Dadobestock\u002D486166614.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Exploring AI’s role in wastewater treatment",
"overwriteSubhead": "Podcast",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "stantec.components.slideCard 14 - Expanding recycled water in Southern California",
"link": {
"text":"Expanding recycled water in Southern California",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2026\/expanding\u002Drecycled\u002Dwater\u002Dsouthern\u002Dcalifornia.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/stock\/other\/0008\/plastic\u002Dwater\u002Dpipe\u002Dadobestock\u002D274344464 (002).jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Expanding recycled water in Southern California",
"overwriteSubhead": "Podcast",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "stantec.components.slideCard 15 - Managing mine water",
"link": {
"text":"Managing mine water",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2026\/managing\u002Dmine\u002Dwater.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/028\/huntly\u002Dquarries\u002Dadobestock\u002D978496401.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Managing mine water",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "stantec.components.slideCard 16 - Integrating data to unlock optimized coal ash management planning",
"link": {
"text":"Integrating data to unlock optimized coal ash management planning",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2026\/integrating\u002Ddata\u002Dto\u002Dunlock\u002Doptimized\u002Dcoal\u002Dash\u002Dmanagement\u002Dplanning.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/028\/coal\u002Dfired\u002Dpower\u002Dadobestock\u002D279271484.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Integrating data to unlock optimized coal ash management planning",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "stantec.components.slideCard 17 - Q&A: What does coastal resilience look like for US communities?",
"link": {
"text":"Q\x26A: What does coastal resilience look like for US communities?",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2026\/qa\u002Dwhat\u002Ddoes\u002Dcoastal\u002Dresilience\u002Dlook\u002Dlike\u002Dfor\u002Dus\u002Dcommunities.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0091\/terrebonne\u002Dbasin\u002Dbarrier\u002Dislands\u002D1.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Q\x26A: What does coastal resilience look like for US communities?",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "stantec.components.slideCard 18 - Clean drinking water: Forward-thinking design solves unique Great Lakes challenges",
"link": {
"text":"Clean drinking water: Forward\u002Dthinking design solves unique Great Lakes challenges",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2026\/clean\u002Ddrinking\u002Dwater\u002Dforward\u002Dthinking\u002Ddesign\u002Dsolves\u002Dunique\u002Dgreat\u002Dlakes\u002Dchallenges.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0005\/clean\u002Ddrinking\u002Dwater\u002Dspark.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Clean drinking water: Forward\u002Dthinking design solves unique Great Lakes challenges",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "stantec.components.slideCard 19 - 2026 AEC trends (Part 3): Climate-resilient landscapes and water reuse",
"link": {
"text":"2026 AEC trends (Part 3): Climate\u002Dresilient landscapes and water reuse",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2026\/2026\u002Daec\u002Dtrends\u002Dpart\u002D3\u002Dclimate\u002Dresilient\u002Dlandscapes\u002Dwater\u002Dreuse.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0098\/east\u002Dmidtown\u002Dgreenway\u002D246167.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "2026 AEC trends (Part 3): Climate\u002Dresilient landscapes and water reuse",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "stantec.components.slideCard 20 - Challenges of hydropower construction in the southernmost part of the world",
"link": {
"text":"Challenges of hydropower construction in the southernmost part of the world",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2026\/challenges\u002Dof\u002Dhydropower\u002Dconstruction\u002Dsouthernmost\u002Dpart\u002Dof\u002Dthe\u002Dworld.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/pdf\u002Dpromo\u002Dimages\/004\/santa\u002Dcruz\u002Driver\u002Dadobestock\u002D334517448.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Challenges of hydropower construction in the southernmost part of the world",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "stantec.components.slideCard 21 - Change management in the water industry: 5 ways utilities can prepare for the future",
"link": {
"text":"Change management in the water industry: 5 ways utilities can prepare for the future",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2026\/change\u002Dmanagement\u002Din\u002Dthe\u002Dwater\u002Dindustry\u002D5\u002Dways\u002Dutilities\u002Dcan\u002Dprepare\u002Dfor\u002Dthe\u002Dfuture.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/028\/piedmont\u002Dpark\u002Datlanta\u002Dadobestock\u002D516610027.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Change management in the water industry: 5 ways utilities can prepare for the future",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "stantec.components.slideCard 22 - The new cyber risk challenging America’s water: Modernization itself",
"link": {
"text":"The new cyber risk challenging America’s water: Modernization itself",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2026\/the\u002Dnew\u002Dcyber\u002Drisk\u002Dchallenging\u002Damericas\u002Dwater\u002Dmodernization\u002Ditself.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/025\/wastewater\u002Dtreatment\u002Dplant\u002Dadobestock\u002D374747543.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "The new cyber risk challenging America’s water: Modernization itself",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "stantec.components.slideCard 23 - Stantec’s Top 10 Ideas from 2025: AI to ZenDen",
"link": {
"text":"Stantec’s Top 10 Ideas from 2025: AI to ZenDen",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2025\/stantecs\u002Dtop\u002D10\u002Dideas\u002Dfrom\u002D2025\u002Dai\u002Dto\u002Dzenden.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0071\/kaitoke\u002Dflume\u002Dbridge\u002D4.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Stantec’s Top 10 Ideas from 2025: AI to ZenDen",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
}
]
},
{
"headline": "",
"active": false,
"tabLabel": "stantec.components.slideCard",
"pages": [
]
},
{
"headline": "",
"active": false,
"tabLabel": "stantec.components.slideCard",
"pages": [
]
},
{
"headline": "",
"active": false,
"tabLabel": "stantec.components.slideCard",
"pages": [
]
}
]
}
{ "ariaLabel": "Back To Top", "topElementClass": "cq-article-header",
"bottomElementClass": "bottom-threshold" }