AI insight helping to protect our rivers and seas

The latest Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology is helping us monitor our sewer network and protect waterways across the region.

Raising the alarm

We’ve partnered with StormHarvester to detect high levels in sewer pipes caused by blockages like flushed wet wipes or sanitary products, which often contain plastic and don’t break down.

The AI software generates alarms when depths are outside their normal operating range but before the network becomes overwhelmed, helping to prevent storm overflow discharges into rivers and the sea.

StormHarvester’s machine-learning algorithms, which have since been adopted by most other water and sewerage companies, also lead to better knowledge of when equipment has failed or started to behave differently.

Investing in improvements

We have installed 1,300 in-depth sewer depth monitors to prevent stormwater discharges due to blockages and will accelerate the installation of a further 3,500 monitors by the end of 2024.

Further investment will create a smart network system to better monitor our water recycling centres, while a programme of sealing sewers and manholes will reduce groundwater infiltration in key catchments.

Around 200 of our overflows are impacted by groundwater, held between rocks and soil. When the water table is high, overflows can operate for many weeks – discharging largely clean groundwater that is cleaner than treated sewage.