Roslagsvatten: Pioneering digital transformation in water management in Sweden

This fragmented approach led to inefficiencies that demanded urgent attention. Yet, Roslagsvatten saw this as an opportunity to aim higher – not just to lead in Sweden but to set a global benchmark in water and wastewater management.

This is the story of their transformative journey – a story of vision, collaboration, and groundbreaking innovation.

When Christian Wiklund took the helm as CEO for Roslagsvatten, he handed his team a blank slate and a bold directive: “Make Roslagsvatten the best wastewater company in Sweden within five years.” For Robin Trankell, the Digital Lead at Roslagsvatten and one of the visionaries behind this transformation, the goal was even more ambitious. “Why not aim to be one of the best in the world?” he thought.

The first step was clear: data. “Our employees needed the right information at the right time to make quick, informed decisions,” Robin explained. From engineering to operations, fragmented systems hindered further innovation and efficiency. Manuals were misplaced, drawings were hard to locate, and decisions were delayed. To bring order, Roslagsvatten needed a unified, open system – a digital backbone for the company.

The inefficiencies impacted greatly on sustainability and scalability. Without accurate data, employees made unnecessary trips to stations for routine checks, leading to higher fuel consumption and emissions. Modernizing operations would save time and align with Roslagsvatten’s sustainability goals.

Recognizing the enormity of the challenge, Roslagsvatten turned to a trio of trusted partners: Schneider Electric, AVEVA, and Roima Intelligence. Together, this group of experts aimed to transform operations.

AVEVA: The backbone of digitalization

AVEVA provided the critical software solutions that became the foundation of Roslagsvatten’s transformation. Key contributions included:

• AVEVA System Platform: Unified diverse SCADA systems, creating a single interface for operational control.
• AVEVA PI System: Enabled real-time data visualization, empowering faster and smarter decision-making.
• AVEVA Asset Information Management (AIM): Consolidated and validated critical asset data, improving maintenance and asset management.

As a leader in industrial software, AVEVA’s role extended beyond tools. Their solutions ensured seamless integration from engineering to operations, forming the backbone of Roslagsvatten’s digital strategy.

Schneider Electric: Innovation meets execution

Schneider Electric brought cutting-edge automation and control technology to the project. Their expertise in hardware and systems integration enabled:

• EcoStruxure Automation Expert: IEC 61499-compliant platform that standardized processes and enabled flexibility across hardware.
• Pilot projects, such as the Rydbo wastewater plant, which created scalable blueprints for future facilities.

Schneider Electric played a dual role as a technology provider and trusted advisor. Their solutions ensured that data flowed seamlessly from control systems to enterprise-level decision-making.

Roima Intelligence: Local expertise, global standards

Roima Intelligence became the glue holding the transformation together. As an AVEVA Endorsed System Integrator, Roima brought deep expertise in digitalization and operational excellence. Their contributions included:

• Implementing AVEVA solutions to standardize and simplify Roslagsvatten’s operations.
• Leveraging experience from other industries, such as food & beverage, life sciences, and steel manufacturing, to implement Roima’s best practices.
• Managing the change management process, ensuring employees and stakeholders embraced the new systems and processes.

Roima’s focus on user adoption and operational efficiency turned the ambitious vision into a practical reality. They didn’t just deploy technology; they transformed how people worked with it.

The transformation wasn’t just about technology – it was about changing mindsets. Roslagsvatten’s layered, open system eliminated vendor lock-in and enabled seamless integration across diverse hardware and software. For the first time, the company owned its designs and code, reducing dependency on external vendors.

This approach also prioritized reusability and scalability. By implementing standardized, template-based components, the system became easier, faster, and more economical to upgrade or expand. Future projects could leverage existing frameworks without relying on specific vendors, ensuring flexibility and independence while maintaining cost efficiency.

As Roslagsvatten’s CEO noted, “When our people get the right data, they make better decisions – faster and more often.”

Five years into their journey, Roslagsvatten’s achievements are nothing short of remarkable:

• A 40% reduction in project handover costs through standardized processes.
• Significantly faster commissioning of new pump stations, thanks to reusable templates.
• Enhanced asset management with validated and accessible data.
• A future-ready, flexible system built on open standards.

Most importantly, the project fundamentally reshapes how Roslagsvatten operates. Employees will no longer have to scramble for information; they trust the data they have. Suppliers now can align with Roslagsvatten’s stringent requirements, delivering exactly what’s needed. And the company’s vision of sustainability and efficiency is firmly within reach.

Roslagsvatten’s story is far from over. Their next ambition is scaling this success across new projects, using the digital blueprint developed with AVEVA, Schneider, and Roima. With a clear roadmap, cutting-edge technology, and a commitment to collaboration, Roslagsvatten is not just meeting today’s demands – it’s preparing for tomorrow’s possibilities and inspiring others in the Water & Wastewater Industry Sector.

Robin said, “We’ve learned that tools aren’t the solution. It’s about people, processes, and a shared vision. That’s how you transform an industry.”