The Water Online Show: Unlocking AI For Leak Detection And Operational Efficiency

In this episode of the Water Online Show, hosts Travis Kennedy and Kevin Westerling explore AI's transformative role in water utility operations with guest Dave Brown, Director of Maintenance at Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD), which serves nearly a million customers across 682 square miles in Southern California. Brown details EMWD's successful use of AI for non-invasive pipeline condition assessment, leveraging historical leak data since 2005, GIS mapping, and sensor inputs to predict failures with 73% accuracy in pilot tests, enabling proactive leak detection, optimized capital planning, reduced water loss, and cost savings for ratepayers. The discussion highlights AI's accessibility for utilities with robust data, minimal learning curve for motivated staff, job-enhancing rather than replacing potential in maintenance, and future applications in energy efficiency, chemical dosing, asset management, and customer transparency, while emphasizing methodical pilots, governance policies, and cross-departmental collaboration as essential first steps for adoption.