“Non-revenue water” is a significant challenge in the water industry. According to the World Bank, the global estimate of physical water losses is 32 billion cubic metres yearly. Many developing countries specifically struggle to eliminate ways water is wasted. By definition, non-revenue water includes water lost due to leakages and inefficient management of water plants. Hence, it refers to water that is lost before it reaches the consumer.
With climate change and the present rate at which water is reduced daily, active steps need to be taken to safeguard and utilise water. In other words, a large portion of usable water will continue to be wasted if steps are not taken to curtail non-revenue water. In this regard, Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help reduce non-revenue water levels by optimising water treatment plants. This article will elaborate on how AI can help the water utility sector reduce non-revenue water levels.
Four Reasons Why AI is a Driving Force In Reducing Non-Revenue Water
AI introduces human-like thinking capacities to industries, empowering a wide range of capabilities through data analytics to machine learning. Public utility sectors are now using a range of industry 4.0 devices which collect big data that are only made sense through AI algorithms. Therefore, AI acts as the central heart of all smart devices to determine whether water levels have decreased, pinpoint hidden dangers, predict risks, and provide detailed reports for intelligent decision-making. Here are seven ways AI help:
AI-Analytics to Detect Water Asset Anomalies
With the number of smart devices incorporated into water networks, it is hard to track each asset’s condition. AI algorithms process the data through such devices to assess whether the asset has an anomaly. In water utility industries specifically, assets are placed underground or in places which are not as visible. Thus, AI helps asset managers automate check-ups and eliminate time wasted on sending personnel. This way, AI notifies asset managers when there is a leakage and instantly denotes which pipe or other assets in the network requires maintenance to be carried out. Thus, maintenance crews can stop water from being further wasted speedily.
Receive Predictive Insights with AI
While AI-infused data analytics notifies asset managers of the right time to carry out maintenance; it can also predict future asset-centric events. In other words, since AI and ML work together, all collected and processed data is compared with historical data. This leads AI to detect patterns of asset failures. Thus, AI warns asset managers of any impending risks that can occur. In turn, asset managers can depend on the data-centric insights provided in the automated reports to make informed decisions and take steps to prevent such issues from ever occurring. This way, the team can schedule repairs and maintenance based on the asset criticality and manage their overall finances and resources efficiently.
Disaster Management With The Help of AI Technology
In addition to asset-related anomalies, non-revenue water could be produced due to natural disasters. From heavy rain to soil erosion, landslides and more, pipes, sensors, and other assets used in water collection, treatment, or distribution could be affected. Such situations could also drastically affect public safety. AI-powered tools such as GIS or satellite technology could be used to predict weather conditions. By having access to such data, steps can be taken to protect the limited amount of water treated whilst also creating a contingency or disaster management plan to safeguard the population.
AI Helps Ensure Water Quality
If an asset requires maintenance or repair until the anomaly is rectified, the ill condition of the asset can drastically affect water quality. If this occurs after the water undergoes treatment, it will result in the entire water network being contaminated. Thus, the water that reaches the consumer will not be safe for consumption. AI monitors and detects the quality of water in real-time. Hence, the technology can instantly assess water quality where non-revenue water is released through leakages. This gives asset managers the upper hand to control water quality until it reaches the consumer.
Cerexio To Empower Intelligent Systems To Reduce Non-Revenue Water
Cerexio integrates AI and a range of other industry 4.0 into all of its solution suites. From IoT, ML, digital twins, predictive and prescriptive analytics, GIS and satellite technology, it is an unparalleled software solutions vendor recognised by municipal councils worldwide. Cerexio solutions are empowered with progressive modules with AI at their heart. Futuristic utility managers would be smart to integrate this into their operations to monitor, detect and rectify any anomalies in the water network. By ensuring all assets are in standard condition, non-revenue water can be reduced and eliminated in the long run. Utilise public funds and resources appropriately with the help of our state-of-the-art technological solutions.
Contact us now to find out how AI-powered devices can help you achieve your water industry goals whilst protecting the limited amount of clean water bodies.
Futuristic Non-Revenue Water Management With Artificial Intelligence
Non-revenue water is a waste of precious water. Hence, eliminating it provides each country to safeguard and utilise water to the maximum. Taking measures to decrease leakage is something water utility systems should focus on through the monitoring of water assets. It is here where AI and other industry 4.0 technology which derives their power through AI that helps water asset managers. AI helps water utility systems handle leakage in various ways, including building intelligent systems, dynamic data analytics and intelligent monitoring.
