The Potential for Expert Systems in Water Utility Operation and Management

Decision‐tree theory may be useful in understanding complex biological systems. Decision‐tree construction and analysis indicate the quantitative occurrence of sulfate‐reducing bacteria in a groundwater basin. The decision‐tree analysis allowed determination of the most important measured variables (discriminators) associated with the occurrence of sulfate‐reducing bacteria. Those variables may be used to improve reliability and validity of the tree. Statistical validation of endpoint data (leaves) is described, and decision trees are presented that increase the understanding of individual wells and hypothesize causes for sulfate‐reducing bacteria.

Section: High-tech Toolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Decision‐tree construction and analysis

Murphy¹,

Olson²

1996

Expert Systems in Water Treatment Plant Operation

Nix¹,

Collins²

1991

Expert systems are an emerging technology with potential benefit for the water industry. This article focuses on the types of applications possible in water treatment plants and some of the practical issues of design and implementation. Prototype expert systems for the operation of two upstate New York treatment plants are described. Based on experience gained in developing these prototypes, the potential value of expert system technology in water treatment is assessed.

Expert Systems Show Promise for Customer Inquiries

Males¹,

Coyle²,

Borchers³

et al. 1992

This article describes results of an agreement between the North Penn Water Authority in Lansdale, Pa., and the US Environmental Protection Agency, Drinking Water Research Division, Cincinnati, Ohio, to study use of expert systems technology in a water utility. The three‐year study has resulted in the development of computerized expert systems whose basic principles should be broadly applicable to other water utilities. The system described in this article, called a customer query expert system, is designed to assist administrative personnel in handling customers' inquiries and complaints about water quality. The system has been developed as a prototype and will be placed in field operation for further testing and refinement in the near future. Significant effort, however, is expected to be necessary to move from prototype “proof‐of‐concept” demonstrations to fully featured systems that are of practical use in the field.