`Digital Water' Paving a Way towards Resilient Urban Water Systems

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The proposed research program will develop a framework for resilient urban water systems (UWS) that are technically feasible, economically viable, environmentally robust, and socially acceptable. Modern UWS include drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater assets and their related services. The program's main goal is to improve resiliency of UWS, in order to ensure a high level of service (LOS) over the life cycle of small to medium-sized UWS. Resiliency is the ability to withstand against external disruptive forces and recover quickly from damage. In recent times, there have been unprecedented challenges related to water security and service quality, due to frequent disruptive forces (e.g., floods, droughts, rapid demand variation, etc.). High per capita water use has further complicated these issues in Canada, where around 25% of drinking water, 30-40% of wastewater, and 30-50% of stormwater infrastructure are in fair to very poor conditions. A substantial infrastructure investment is required to sustain against the disruptive forces, which can be mitigated by rethinking asset management of UWS. The application of digital technologies such as internet of things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI)-based data-driven approaches offer great potential to make smarter decisions. The proposed research program will explore, analyze and develop interconnections between resiliency and LOS for small to medium-sized UWS using these emerging approaches and technologies, with the following sub-objectives. 1.Define, characterize, and develop performance indicators to determine the level of service (LOS) and resiliency of small to medium-sized UWS. 2.Investigate interconnectedness and establish relationships between resiliency and LOS over the service life for all water infrastructure including water, wastewater and storm water systems. 3.Build predictive models using AI-based data-driven approaches to investigate the impacts of regular and disruptive forces on the planning and management of UWS in short to long-term predicted horizons. 4.Develop an innovative `digital water' dashboard for real-time monitoring and decision-making applications using Cloud IoT architecture services in UWS. 5.Propose best management practices, strategies, and policies to improve urban water planning & management for small to medium-sized communities across Canada and globally. The major outcome will be a `digital water' dashboard to enhance the resiliency of small to medium-sized UWS. This first-of-a-kind tool will pave a path towards digital twinning an entire UWS. It will assist utilities to identify appropriate interventions and decision actions required over the life cycle of UWS at different management levels. The program will train highly qualified personnel who will acquire the skills to make a future impact within municipalities, the water industry, and academia, and it is a key step towards maintaining Canada's global leadership in urban water management.