Page 86 - BENTLEY SYSTEMS PR REPORT - OCTOBER 2025

10/17/25, 1:23 PM AI is poised to transform infrastructure: Bentley Systems opens the Year in Infrastructure 2025

Cities Session

A subsequent session, “How New Challenges and Technologies Are Reshaping Water
Infrastructure,” focused on the evolving role of water as a strategic priority across industries.
Speakers included Ben Townsend, Head of Infrastructure and Sustainability at Google; Nuno
Medeiros, Head of Asset Management at EPAL; Chloé Meyer, Senior Research Director at
Bluefield Research; and Rod Naylor, Global Lead Water at GHD. Cecilia Correia, Water
Industry Strategist at Bentley Systems, moderated the session.

Ben Townsend noted that companies developing data centers are increasingly willing to help
utilities develop and even invest in them to strengthen water resilience. He highlighted
examples of Google's sustainability investments such as leak detection and rainwater
harvesting, and emphasized the importance of collaboration with local communities.
“Thoughtful developers can work with thoughtful communities on progressive infrastructure
planning,” he said.

Nuno Medeiros shared insights from Lisbon’s long history of water reuse, noting that non-
potable water has been used to irrigate green areas since the Expo '98. He explained that EPAL
(Empresa Portuguesa das Águas Livres) , which serves around 3.8 million people, is working
with numerous businesses to reduce freshwater use and improve regulation.

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