The Application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Water and Wastewater Treatment

The panel will explore how AI is transforming conceptual modelling, real-time monitoring, and decision-making in the water sector from major treatment plants to smart urban infrastructure. Drawing on recent case studies from the USA, China, and Europe, the discussion will also highlight how these approaches can be adapted and replicated in other country and region contexts (e.g., Africa, Asia, and Latin America). We will bring practical insights, industry perspectives, and emerging research horizons that practitioners, engineers, and policymakers may find valuable.

Academics and researchers, engineers, utilities

Participants must have but not limited to:

• Deeper insight into next-generation water and wastewater treatment systems enabled by AI-assisted process optimisation and decision-making.
• Comprehensive overview of current AI applications in municipal water supply and sewage treatment, including advanced infrastructure and facility concepts.
• Forward-looking perspective on the digitalisation and intelligent management of water and wastewater treatment systems.

Following this session, participants will be able to:

• Understand current and emerging AI applications in water and wastewater treatment.
• Evaluate how AI can improve modelling, monitoring, and operational decision-making.
• Recognise future opportunities and practical considerations for digitalising treatment systems.

Moderators

• Wen Ma, Assistant professor, Chemical and Biotechnological Engineering department at Université de Sherbrooke (UdeS), Canada (https://www.linkedin.com/in/wen-ma-0b000655/)

• Yumeng Zhao, Associate Professor, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), China

Speakers

• Peter Vanrolleghem, Professor, Université Laval’s Civil and Water Engineering Department, Canada (https://www.linkedin.com/in/petervanrolleghem/)

• Ruobin Dai, Professor, Department of Environmental Engineering at Tongji University, China

• Nicolas St-Gelais, Cofounder and Scientific Director, CANN Forecast, Canada (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolas-fortin-st-gelais-2b3b8340/)