The incorporation of the Internet of Things (IoT) into wastewater treatment and water quality prediction fields holds promise to transform conventional methods and tackle pressing challenges amidst the global need for clean water and sustainable systems.
Access to safe and healthy water stands as a paramount global challenge. However, experts have noted a deficiency in adequate parametric quality metrics within the current technological landscape. In a recent exhaustive review published in the peer-reviewed, open access journal on water science and technology Water. Middle East experts Ahmed Alprol, Abdallah Tageldein Mansour, Marwa Ezz El-Din Ibrahim, and Mohamed Ashour delve into the transformative potential of smart IoT technologies, including AI and machine learning (ML) models, in wastewater treatment and water quality prediction.
In the past decades, activities in aquatic systems such as aquaculture, aquaponics, and hydroponics have surged, leading to increased nutrient loads, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, which detrimentally impact water bodies. Consequently, there is an urgent need to enhance and develop sustainable technologies for treating effluent aquaculture wastewater. These technologies can be based on the Internet of Things (IoT), which has the capacity to revolutionize conventional approaches. Furthermore, the increasing utilization of AI and ML across different fields and industries is driven by their ability to streamline understanding and improve operations. These technologies, according to the authors, offer versatile and resilient solutions for modeling and resolving complex situations in water applications, reducing costs, and enhancing efficiency.
The review finds that the infusion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) methodologies has proven pivotal in the enhancement, modeling, and automation of processes within wastewater treatment, water-centric agriculture, and the monitoring and management of natural ecosystems.
The review finds that the infusion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) methodologies has proven pivotal in the enhancement, modeling, and automation of processes
The amalgamation of AI/ML technologies offers potential in cost reduction, amplification of water-centric applications, and provision of computer-assisted solutions to tackle the intricate challenges pertaining to water chemistry and physical/biological processes. ML and AI methodologies have demonstrated notable success in prediction, modeling, automation, and optimization within significant realms of water-related industries and operations, encompassing water and wastewater treatment facilities, natural ecosystems, and water-based agricultural practices.
The authors advocate for intensified studies aimed at fortifying water infrastructure resilience, particularly concerning water quality, through the utilization of AI and ML. However, despite significant progress, the article acknowledges challenges in applying ML for water quality assessment:
- Data Availability and Quality: Machine Learning algorithms thrive on copious amounts of high-quality data. The procurement of such data, characterized by high precision, poses challenges within water treatment and management systems, attributed to financial or technological constraints.
- Limited Applicability: The intricate and multifaceted conditions prevalent in real wastewater treatment and management systems may limit the broad applicability of Machine Learning approaches. Consequently, existing methodologies may only find suitability within specific systems.
- Data Management and Legal Considerations: Addressing challenges related to data management, alongside public and legal perspectives, is paramount. Ensuring repeatability and transparency in research endeavors is essential for furthering the advancement of intelligent applications within the field.
While acknowledging these challenges, the authors emphasize ongoing research and development efforts, highlighting the profound implications and potential of Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, and smart technologies in addressing one of the world's most critical resources: water.
