Is The Water Sector Ready For AI?

Artificial intelligence (AI) offers a transformative opportunity for the water and wastewater infrastructure sector, building on decades of predictive modeling. Recent advancements, particularly in digital twins and Internet of Things (IoT) integration, have significantly broadened AI's potential applications across the industry.

However, adoption remains uneven; less than 50% of the water sector is currently primed to fully leverage digital and AI solutions. The primary hurdles are related to people and processes, not the technology itself, including organizational complexity, workforce resistance, and concerns about cybersecurity or cost. Many water professionals are cautious, preferring AI to support analyses rather than directly make final decisions, partly due to concerns over new professionals lacking "engineer's intuition" without hands-on experience.

Successful implementation examples show measurable benefits like increased operational efficiency, cost savings, and sustainability improvements. For organizations to capitalize on the growing interest in AI and fill workforce gaps, they must focus on simplifying procurement processes and adapting their cultural and procedural barriers. Learn how leading utilities are successfully integrating AI-enabled digital solutions across water distribution, treatment, and dam safety.