AI in Water Tech: Predicting Risks, Revisiting Old Favourites, And Venturing Further in AI Logic

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AI in Water Tech: Predicting Risks, Revisiting Old Favourites, And Venturing Further in AI Logic

OMG I am starting a new article and it is so exciting! And do you know what no matter what - no MATTER what - is going on in my life - I find it impossible to not get excited about starting a new article on water tech.

This article has a pretty neat explanation of what AI is. 

It says that AI is a computer that has the capability of performing more traditionally "human" tasks:
  • Reasoning
  • Problem Solving
  • Learning
I am still yet to learn what "reasoning" really is - in life as well as in computers. But I will get there. Even though the model of Chat GPT that I use has "Advanced reasoning skills." But anyway. All algorithms can make calculations.

AI introduces the learning part. However, the article says, and this is what I have always firmly believed about energy, and now I see no reason why it shouldn't apply to water too:

That AI is now an ESSENTIAL part of water management if it is to be sustainable. 

As I have always said, and this article is so good that I am going to be quoting from it directly, "one of the main advantages of AI is its ability to process large amounts of data and learn from it." Even the emphasis is from the article, which I love and I respect. This article just gets even better. Data scientists and software engineers can "create algorithms and systems that can identify data patterns and trends which, in turn, can help water utilities make more informed and more accurate decisions."

Can help water utilities make more informed and more accurate decisions.

Can help water utilities make more informed and more accurate decisions.

Data patterns and trends can help water utilities make more informed and accurate decisions.

Data patterns and trends can help water utilities make more informed and accurate decisions.

This article outlines four types of machine learning. Much as I am interested my main focus is on water here. There is a lot of information going on here sorry. I'm going to skip down to the water bit. And then I'm going to come back up to the AI bit. As it seems very very important and relevant too. And super fascinating. Thanks.

"AI is being increasingly used to optimise water management"

How is it being used? "Let me count the ways." - William Shakespeare

Some of these may seem familiar - some of them may seem not - but just remember I am learning and building my knowledge on top of these.

"Monitor and Analyse Water Cycle Data"

I actually revisited this one last. Maybe it was because it seemed like the most obvious and the one that would be the hardest to say something new about, or not. Things that AI can do in "monitoring and analysing water cycle data" include:
  • Checking water quality
  • Tracking water use
  • Identifying potential problems with water supply infrastructure
As always always, AI's ability to analyse large amounts of data in real time is why it is so useful. The faster we can analyse this data the quicker we can make decisions about the whole system in real time.

"Water Demand Management"

"AI can be used to predict water demand and optimise water supply throughout the day."

AI can be used to predict water demand and optimise water supply throughout the day.

AI can be used to predict water demand and optimise water supply throughout the day.

This helps water utilities to
  • reduce water waste
  • Ensure that water demand is met effectively

Predicting Risks Associated With The Water Cycle

I really like this article because it touches on things like emergencies. I don't think that these can be separated from things like water treatment. How can you separate floods from drinking water? I just don't think it can be done. At the end of the day, it's all part of the same cycle. AI can be used to "predict and mitigate risks associated with the water cycle."

Around the world and as we have seen all too unfortunately in Valencia recently, and in Poland too, flooding is a real risk. It is most definitely a risk in the South of England where I live too. Especially perhaps the more Southwestern parts at the moment. So I want to do everything I can to help mitigate flooding of course.

Weather and water level data can be taken into account; 
  • "AI can be used to analyse weather and water level data and predict when flooding is likely to occur."
  • "This enables local authorities to take preventive measures and evacuate people from high risk areas before it is too late."
This enables local authorities to take preventive measures and evacuate people from high risk areas before it is too late.

This enables local authorities to take preventive measures and evacuate people from high risk areas before it is too late.

I want to do everything that I can in the world to help these people.

I am grateful for everything because everything led me to renewable energy. I am grateful for renewable energy because renewable energy led me to here.

I am grateful for the challenges I had at work - because they led me to realise that I need to take water tech very very seriously indeed... thank you

Water Supply Efficiency

AI can also be helpful in improving water supply efficiency. What can this include? 
  • Identifying leaks (Everybody's favourite topic here at work)
  • Detecting pressure-related problems
    • Hmmm what's this 
      • I need to know MORE ABOUT THIS!
  • OPTIMISING "WATER FLOW"
    • WHAT'S THIS PLEASE
    • WHAT IS THIS
      • THIS KEEPS ON COMING UP EVERYWHERE
      • I NEED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THIS
      • "WATER FLOW".
Okay. Another way of putting it is:

That AI can be used to:
  • Optimise water supply
  • Reduce costs
  • Reduce water losses
    • REDUCE WATER LOSSES!!!!!
    • THIS IS A VERY BIG ONE! AND I AM STILL NOT DONE HERE!
  • Improve the energy efficiency of water infrastructure
All of this above stuff can
  • Reduce operations and maintenance costs
  • Improve access to clean water

Air Quality Monitoring

Wait what? What what what? This is crazy. WOW. I never knew that Air Quality plays a role in water treatment plants. But it makes sense because of chemicals being used and toxins in the water. And it makes sense because of the impact of the air quality on the overall output of the water quality, I guess. 

AI can be used to monitor the air quality in water treatment plants - I would love to know how they do this - do they use sensor data? Can it be something else? I will definitely have to do a deeper dive into this. Maybe in another blog post. Basically put, AI can "detect and prevent air pollution, which can have a negative impact on water quality." I do really want to learn more here but I also don't want to do it before work (currently writing this on the train to London).


The real reason why AI is so good for utilities is because "UTILITIES CAN MAKE BETTER DECISIONS AS THEY HAVE REAL TIME-INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE WITH IT." Thank you

The type of machine learning in here described look fascinating and I may come back to it sometime

Focus for today is water and it might be for some time. As this blog is more about what AI can do for water technology. And less about the specifics of AI

Sorry I am in two minds now sorry of what to do. Let's see what the next time will bring.

Sources:

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