CWEA’s Annual Conference participants attending the “Bottlenecks and Breakthroughs: Developing AI Models for Calera Creek’s Wastewater Treatment Operations” session will hear Yunus Kovankaya and Jeff McAllister report on the real-world application of artificial intelligence and machine learning to address operational problems and identify opportunities for improvement and cost savings.
The speakers, from the engineering consulting firm ARUP, will share their experience at the 4-mgd (average dry weather flow) sequencing batch reactor-ATAD facility in Pacifica to guide on working with advanced analytics suppliers and what to expect from applying Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) to wastewater treatment operations.
“There are a lot of great advanced analytics companies out there,” says Kovankaya. “They may have a strong background but no real experience with wastewater treatment. We’ll discuss how consultants and others can manage that partnership.”
“AI/ML is exciting and powerful,” adds McAllister, “but the nuance is in the application of it…getting value through energy savings and improved treatment.”
The ARUP team identified two barriers to effective use of advanced analytics, and both will be discussed in the presentation:
Questions like: Is there enough data to establish a trend? Can operators identify the areas with the most significant cost savings? What might a utility invest in cost-effectively to improve data management? The authors see real benefits in the effective use of AI/ML, especially regarding the economics of wastewater treatment.
Wastewater faces a major challenge: doing more with less… from emerging contaminants to a shortage of personnel, Kovankaya and McAllister say. Technology can step in and help, but it must be explored and evaluated.
Yunus Kovankaya, Arup
Kovankaya is a process engineer at ARUP with experience in conventional treatment plants, SBR systems, sludge handling, and water recycling. He holds a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Columbia University and spent 3 years working as a research assistant at the Columbia Water Center, developing tools to help local governments design and price decentralized treatment systems for rural and urban communities across the U.S.
Jeff McAllister, Arup
McAllister is a senior water engineer at ARUP, specializing in the planning and design of water and wastewater treatment and distribution systems. He earned his degree in chemistry from the University of Victoria and his master’s in chemical engineering from the University of Melbourne (Australia). He focuses on digital transformation and strongly believes that data and technology are key enablers of safer, more reliable, and sustainable water and wastewater systems and services.
Ready to explore how innovation is reshaping wastewater operations? Join us April 7–10 in Sacramento for CWEA’s Annual Conference & Expo (AC26) to connect with peers, learn from experts, and see the latest technology in action.
Register today and be part of California’s wastewater community.
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