Discussions about Artificial Intelligence are the order of the day, due to its rapid advancement and its implications for technology, ethics and economics. However, there are many areas to be explored, and what is undeniable is that AI can contribute to great advances if used properly.
This is precisely the case proposed by Advait Kumar: How to use artificial intelligence to optimise water distribution. Kumar believes that AI, with its real-time data analytics and predictive modelling capabilities, will enable water utilities to make data-driven decisions, resulting in greater efficiency, sustainability, resilience and reliability in water distribution.
In India, 70 per cent of the country’s freshwater sources are polluted, and approximately 70 per cent of wastewater is untreated. The country’s increasing urbanisation and changing weather patterns only add to the problem. Against this worrying backdrop, AI is positioned as one of the best large-scale solutions, with the potential to revitalise urban water systems, improving their resilience, sustainability and reliability.
According to Kumar, amidst the complex challenges of high population density, environmental changes, ageing infrastructure and persistent water pollution, there is a clear need to transform water resources management.
But what we have described so far could apply to many other countries, especially in Africa: Poor infrastructure and water resource management, and lack of access to clean water sources in rural and urban areas are problematic in countries such as Kenya, Senegal, Cameroon, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.
How can Artificial Intelligence improve the management and distribution of water resources in Africa?
In Africa, water scarcity and water supply problems are still a challenge, but each area has its own particularities, depending on its water resources, climate, existing infrastructure and public policies, among other factors. How can AI contribute to address the different problems of each country and region?
- Predicting and monitoring water availability: AI can analyse historical and real-time data such as rainfall, water levels in rivers and reservoirs, and climatic conditions to predict water availability in different regions. This can help companies or management entities make informed decisions on water resource management.
- Demand management: AI systems can optimise water use in agriculture, industry and households by predicting demand patterns and adjusting distribution accordingly.
- Leak detection and infrastructure maintenance: AI can be used to monitor and detect leaks in water supply systems, helping to reduce losses and maintain infrastructure efficiently. This has a particular impact in places where infrastructure is deficient or obsolete, so there are frequent failures that affect water distribution.
- River basin modelling: AI models can simulate the behaviour of river basins, allowing water resource managers to plan and make informed decisions on river and reservoir management.
- Early warning systems for floods and droughts: It can be used to develop early warning systems that warn of extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts, enabling rapid response and appropriate management of water resources in emergency situations. Given the impact climate change is having on access to clean water, this will be a key issue in future water management.
- Access to data in remote areas: AI can be used to analyse satellite imagery and remotely sensed data to assess water quality and water availability in remote or hard-to-reach areas.
- Groundwater management: It can also assist in sustainable groundwater management by predicting the behaviour of aquifers and optimising groundwater abstraction.
It should be noted that for the application of artificial intelligence to water resources management to yield the expected results, it requires effective collaboration between governments, international organisations, institutions of education and industry, as well as addressing issues related to infrastructure and training of personnel to ensure that the technology is accessible and beneficial to local communities. However, it is a tool that we believe will greatly facilitate and improve water management globally.
