The University of Exeter is working with South West Water to explore the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to help tackle pipe blockages and pollution.
The University of Exeter is working with South West Water to explore the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to help tackle pipe blockages and pollution.
Across the region, around twelve thousand smart sensors are used as sewer level monitors, like ‘pairs of eyes’, constantly collecting data such as changes in flow patterns. They are installed in manholes on the sewer network and monitor early signs of blockages that could cause pollution in the watercourses or flooding on land or in properties.
Richard Price, South West Water’s Director for Waste Water Services said: “The AI acts like a digital detective. It learns what ‘normal’ looks like for each part of the network and spots when something’s wrong even before a human could notice. This means teams can be sent out to the exact location of a suspected blockage, often before customers are even aware of an issue.”
Read more at: University of Exeter
