By: ICN Bureau
Last updated : September 17, 2025 4:52 pm
The Scottsdale Hubgrade Center has already begun managing seven municipal wastewater systems
Veolia has launched its next-generation Hubgrade Center in Scottsdale, Arizona, to transform wastewater treatment services across the western United States. The facility is a digital command center that combines human expertise with artificial intelligence and real-time data to optimize water and wastewater treatment for municipalities.
Designed to bring digital transformation to communities of all sizes, the Hubgrade Center enables municipalities to enhance their water operations without the need for significant capital investment. With the ability to remotely monitor and optimize systems across vast geographic areas, Hubgrade allows local utilities to access industry-leading operational intelligence and support from Veolia’s team of water specialists.
The Scottsdale Hubgrade Center has already begun managing seven municipal wastewater systems and is on track to serve 27 municipal partners by the end of 2025. By leveraging advanced technologies—including remote-controlled drones and robots, immersive virtual and augmented reality tools, and digital twin infrastructure models—the facility provides 24/7 oversight and proactive guidance to optimize chemical usage, reduce energy consumption, extend the lifespan of critical infrastructure, and ensure regulatory compliance.
At the launch event, municipal leaders from across the Phoenix Valley experienced firsthand how Hubgrade transforms water operations. Using VR headsets, guests toured remote water facilities, interacted with AI-driven analytics tools, and explored how these capabilities can help communities conserve water, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance environmental quality.
Karine Rougé, CEO of Veolia’s Municipal Water division in North America, highlighted the significance of the new facility: “Our next-generation Hubgrade Center strengthens Veolia’s ability to provide environmental security at a time when water resources are increasingly stressed. Hubgrade brings together digital enablement and deep subject matter expertise, allowing municipalities to close skill gaps, gain operational clarity, and deliver real value to their residents.”
Joe Tackett, President and CEO of Veolia’s Municipal Water Contract Operations in North America, emphasized the measurable benefits of the platform: “Hubgrade empowers cities with new tools to increase efficiency and maximize value. Global deployments have already shown up to 35% reductions in energy usage, better chemical management amid supply disruptions, and longer asset life through predictive maintenance powered by VR and AI.”
Aaditya Raman, West Region President of Veolia’s Municipal Water Contract Operations, added: “This is about making innovation practical and accessible. Communities in the West face growing challenges and tight budgets. Hubgrade allows them to tap into advanced AI and robotics solutions—paired with field-tested human expertise—without needing to invest in their own digital platforms. That’s why we chose Arizona, a national leader in conservation and tech innovation, for our first North American Hubgrade Center.”
In addition to serving municipalities, the Scottsdale Hubgrade Center is home to Veolia’s Innovation Lab—a dedicated space for developing, testing, and training on emerging technologies tailored to public water systems.