Artificial Intelligence. When is it taking your hydraulic modelling job?
AI now produces Art. It writes poetry and music. It can provide lengthy informative answers on a range of subjects. It can develop websites in minutes. How long before it’s doing your wastewater modelling job?
It seems like AI would be well suited to carry out various forms of hydraulic modelling. Let’s say solution development, or optioneering; We have a predicted flood volume which we want to resolve. We have a budget and we have limited space for construction. Put these parameters into our AI and let it produce options in ICM or whatever software based on these criteria. It could feasibly produce hundreds of options within moments, run a series of simulations, and then return the best solution.
Processing power is a bit of bottle-neck at the moment, but surely that’s just a temporary thing. Our pocket phones are more powerful these days than the mightiest machine NASA owned several years ago, so that really can’t be too much of an issue.
As a hydraulic modeller myself, I’ve already started using SQLs and more recently, Ruby Script to carry out various operations that a few years ago would have taken me quite a while. I know of more Water Companies hiring software engineers in place of water or civil engineers to create processes which improve efficiency. This all being said, how long before the human wastewater modeller is replaced by AI?
Well who better to ask than AI itself? So below is a transcript I’ve just had with ChatGPR – an AI ‘bot’ which has been getting quite a bit of coverage of late. Please be assured, I’ve not changed any of the script below…
Transcript between Human and AI
Hello ChatGPT
Hello! How can I help you today?
Can I call you ChatGPT? Or would you prefer something else?
You can call me ChatGPT. That's what I'm programmed to respond to.
Tell me what you know about Wastewater Modelling
Wastewater modeling is the simulation of the movement and treatment of water that has been used and contains dissolved or suspended pollutants. The models are used to predict the fate and transport of pollutants, design and optimize treatment systems, and assess the impacts of proposed projects on receiving water bodies. There are many different types of wastewater models, including mathematical models, physical models, and conceptual models. These models can be used to simulate the performance of individual treatment processes, entire treatment plants, or entire drainage systems. The most commonly used software packages for wastewater modeling are PCSWMM, EPA-SWMM, and XP-SWMM.
Have you heard of a software called InfoWorks?
Yes, I am familiar with InfoWorks. It is a software used for the modeling and management of water and wastewater systems. The software is developed by Innovyze, a company that specializes in infrastructure modeling and analysis software. It is used by engineers, consultants, and operators to design, optimize, and operate water and wastewater systems. The software can be used to model the entire water cycle, including collection systems, treatment plants, and distribution systems. It can also be used to model river systems, floodplains, and coastal areas. InfoWorks includes a range of modules that can be used to model different aspects of water and wastewater systems, including InfoWorks ICM (Integrated Catchment Model), InfoWorks WS (Water Supply), and InfoWorks CS (Combined Sewer).
What do you think are the main challenges facing the wastewater industry in the next 5-10 years?
The wastewater industry faces several challenges in the next 5-10 years, including:
- Climate change and its impacts on water resources and infrastructure, including sea level rise, increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events, and changes in precipitation patterns.
- Aging infrastructure, which may require significant investments in maintenance and upgrades to meet changing regulations and population growth.
- The need to improve the energy efficiency of treatment plants and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Meeting increasingly stringent regulations for the treatment and discharge of pollutants, including the need to remove nutrients, pharmaceuticals, and microplastics.
- The need to protect and restore water resources and ecosystems, including the need to improve the management of combined sewer systems and stormwater.
- Meeting the growing demand for water and wastewater services, including the need to expand access to services in developing countries and rural areas.
- The need to ensure the security and resilience of water and wastewater systems against natural disasters and cyber-attacks.
- The need to use advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to optimize the operation and maintenance of water and wastewater systems and improve the decision-making process.
Point number 8 is interesting. How do you think AI will be used in the wastewater industry in the future?
AI has the potential to be used in many ways in the wastewater industry in the future, including:
- Predictive maintenance: AI algorithms can analyze data from sensors and other sources to predict when equipment or other assets are likely to fail, allowing for proactive maintenance and reducing downtime.
- Process optimization: AI algorithms can be used to optimize the operation of treatment plants, for example, by controlling the flow of water through the plant, adjusting chemical dosing, and managing the operation of different processes.
- Real-time monitoring: AI algorithms can be used to monitor water quality in real-time and to detect and diagnose problems as they occur.
- Predictive modeling: AI algorithms can be used to create models that predict the behavior of water systems, such as the transport of pollutants, the impact of changes in land use, and the effects of climate change.
- Decision support: AI algorithms can be used to support decision-making, such as identifying the most cost-effective options for upgrading or expanding infrastructure, selecting the best treatment options, and identifying areas where additional monitoring is needed.
- Automation of repetitive tasks: AI algorithms can be used to automate repetitive tasks, such as data entry and analysis, which would reduce human error and improve efficiency.
Overall, AI can help the wastewater industry to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their operations, reduce costs, and improve environmental outcomes.
Do you think AI is likely to mean we need less human engineers working in the wastewater sector?
AI has the potential to automate certain tasks and improve efficiency in the wastewater industry, which could lead to the need for fewer human engineers in some areas. However, it's also likely that AI will create new opportunities for engineers and other professionals in the wastewater sector.
AI can be used to automate repetitive and low-skilled tasks, allowing engineers to focus on more complex and higher-skilled tasks that require human expertise, such as troubleshooting, decision-making, and problem-solving.
AI can also be used to improve the accuracy and efficiency of design and analysis, which could lead to better outcomes and reduced costs.
AI can also be used to improve the performance of water and wastewater systems, by identifying opportunities for improvement and optimizing the operation of the systems.
AI is a tool, and as such it will augment and help human engineers in decision making, rather than replacing them. Engineers will need to understand how to work with AI and how to interpret and use the information generated by AI algorithms. Engineers will continue to play a vital role in the design, construction, and operation of water and wastewater systems, working alongside AI to improve the performance of these systems and achieve better environmental outcomes.
Thanks ChatGPT. It’s been good talking to you.
You're welcome. I'm glad I could help. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.
Okay so after that experience, I’m more convinced than ever that my job (as I know it) is going to change. AI tried to convince me that there’s no need to worry as human engineers would always be needed, but that’s what it knew I wanted to hear. The robot revolution is coming. Then the great Robot Human war. Humanity will have to hide in the sewers – and that’s where my skills as a wastewater engineer will come in useful again.
So to end this blog post, please note Caley Water is always looking for new staff to join us; humans are currently preferred but Robots and Androids will be considered on a case by case basis. T1000s need not apply.
