https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1971-2350
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ABSTRACT
Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR 4.0) is the revolution that promotes customized and flexible mass production technologies in automation and manufacturing processes. The application of industrial revolution 4.0, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Cyber-Physical System (CPS), and big data, are used in the water industry to provide better water quality, accurate real-time data, etc. This paper compiles IR 4.0 technology applications, advantages, disadvantages, impacts, and challenges in the water sector, including water supply, wastewater treatment, and stormwater management. It is found that the current water industry is facing a few challenges, such as managing water services, balancing water costs with energy prices, maintaining aging water and wastewater infrastructure, and environmental issues. However, with the application of numerous IR 4.0 innovations, all the challenges can be solved or minimized. Meanwhile, the advantages and impacts of adopting IR 4.0 in water industries are thoroughly discussed. Despite the numerous advantages of IR 4.0, significant drawbacks have restricted the adoption of IR 4.0 in the water industry. The high start-up cost, reluctance, uncertainty, and problems of adopting IR 4.0 are some key challenges that need to be addressed. Generally, IR 4.0 provides more benefits to the community as it helps improve the water system’s performance and efficiencies and creates a more sustainable environment.
Acknowledgement
The authors would like to thank Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) for their collaboration.
Data availability statement
The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available in the article.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Kuok King Kuok
Dr. Kuok King Kuok is a Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus Associate Professor. He received his PhD in civil engineering from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) in 2010. He started his career as a Design Engineer and Civil Engineer in the industry for ten years before switching to an academic career in 2009. He is also registered as a Professional Engineer and Professional Technologist in Malaysia. His research interests include artificial intelligence, hydrology and water resources, water supply, and building information modelling.
Po Chan Chiu
Dr. Po Chan Chiu graduated with PhD in computer science from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). She received her M.Sc. in information technology from the Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) in 2010. She started her career as a software engineer three years ago. She worked on several consultancy projects and developed software solutions to meet the needs of the woodworking industry. Currently, she is serving as a lecturer at UNIMAS. Her research interests include artificial intelligence, data analytics, optimization, and neural networks.
Muhammad Khusairy Bin Bakri
Dr. Muhammad Khusairy Bin Bakri is a specialist in materials/mechanical engineering. Khusairy obtained his Doctor of Philosophy, PhD (2018), Master of Engineering (by Research), MEng (2016) and Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineer), BEng (2014) from Swinburne University of Technology. Khusairy is working with Washington State University as a postdoctoral research associate and a former research fellow from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, prioritizing research towards materials science, polymer composites, biomaterials, and education.
Md. Rezaur Rahman
Dr. Md. Rezaur Rahman specialized in Polymer Chemistry (Chemical Engineering) and graduated with a PhD from the Universiti Malaysia Sarawak in 2011. He is collaborating with the University of Tokoshima, the Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, and the University of Malaya on research work from material composites, green composites, etc.
Chin Mei Yun
Dr. Chin Mei Yun obtained her BEng and PhD in Civil Engineering in 2009 and 2014, respectively, from the University of Nottingham Malaysia. Dr. Chin joined the Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, as an associate lecturer in 2013 and was promoted to Lecturer upon completing her PhD in 2014. Her research interests include experimental studies in new concrete materials, material science, and hydrology.