Machine Learning and AI Applications for Municipal Water Utility Managers
Mike Benson, MScE, P.Eng (Director of Innovation, UNB Department of Civil Engineering)

This presentation will highlight the transformative potential of Machine Learning ML and Artificial Intelligence AI applications within municipal water systems, providing utility managers and practitioners with an overview of how these technologies can be leveraged to support utility operations, maintenance, and planning.

The presentation will share preliminary research findings from the University of New Brunswick, presenting ML and AI in terms which can be easily understood by utility managers and practitioners. Secondly, we will dive into potential applications for municipal water systems, from optimizing water distribution, energy use, and predicting maintenance needs, to real-time water quality monitoring and automated treatment adjustments, ensuring regulatory compliance and environmental protection. We will also cover AIs potential in supporting infrastructure assessments, failure prediction, and capital investment prioritization, crucial for extending asset lifespans and mitigating service interruptions.

The goal of the presentation is to raise awareness among utility managers of the value of ML and AI applications, inspiring them to explore these technologies for improved service efficiency, reliability, and sustainability. This condensed overview serves as a guide for initiating ML and AI projects within local governments that is tailored to an audience of utility managers.