Use of Artificial Intelligence in Water Resource Recovery Facilities (WRRF)
Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
Water Resource Recovery Facilities (WRRF) receive water after it has been used by a community and processes it to protect human health and the environment and to extract valuable resources such as energy and nutrients. Professor Glen Daigger and his team are using advancements in big data, data mining, and artificial intelligence to improve performance of the highly advanced Grand Rapids WRRF.
-
Principal Investigators
Metrics
Funding Source
Daijaing Environmental, Nanjing, Republic of China
About the Project
With a core mission to protect human health and the environment, the Grand Rapids, MI, WRRF is diligently pursing a path of greater service to the community and increased sustainability by recovering useful resources from the domestic, commercial, and industrial used water it processes.
Implementing unique approaches to receiving and processing industrial used water (Grand Rapids is the “Beer City”), it is becoming a regional and national leader and example of this evolving paradigm.
Extracting increased value from the used water stream also means an increasingly complicated processing facility, which represents one of the challenges the WRRF is addressing. Grand Rapids is addressing this challenge by aggressively implementing advanced sensor technology to compliment traditional methods of process facility data collection. The challenge created by a significantly increased stream of data is the need to process it so that it is useful for decision-making. Fortunately developments in big data, data mining, and artificial intelligence creates the possibility of turning the data challenge into an opportunity for optimizing the facility and further improving resource efficiency.
The collaboration between Grand Rapids and the University of Michigan promises to significantly enhance Grand Rapid’s ability to extract resources from the used water stream and contribute to the sustainability of the Grand Rapids community. Learning about the opportunities created by the application of advanced sensor technology, coupled with data mining and artificial intelligence promises lessons that can be applied to other facilities, not only within the region but nationally and internationally. Thus, a further objective of the research team is to generalize their results and share them broadly.
Related Projects
Real-Time Watershed Control
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Using autonomous sensors and valves to create “smart” stormwater systems to reduce flooding forecasting, and improve water quality.
Learn More
Improving Water Quality in Ox Creek
Benton Harbor, Michigan, USA
Using wireless sensors to monitor water quality and flow conditions and to control drains to Ox Creek in Benton Harbor.
Learn More
Optimizing Phosphorus Removal at Detroit’s Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF)
Detroit, Michigan, USA
Optimizing phosphorus removal at Detroit’s water treatment facility, to keep it out of lakes and rivers.
Learn More
The Power of Microorganisms to Treat Water
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Investigating the use of cutting-edge molecular tools that characterize and optimize water quality process performance.
Learn More
Protecting Public Health with Improved Water Service
Benton Harbor, Michigan, USA
Improving Benton Harbor’s aging water system using risk assessment and risk analysis techniques, as well as mobile sensors.
Learn More
Liquid Planning Detroit
Detroit, Michigan, USA
Limiting the volume of stormwater in the Detroit system to prevent untreated sewage from being released into the Detroit and Rouge Rivers.
Learn More
Demonstration Project for Real-Time Stormwater Control in Southeast Michigan
Detroit, Michigan, USA
Application of real-time sensing and dynamic control on existing wastewater infrastructure to reduce the frequency and volume of Combined Sewer Overflows.
Learn More
Point of Use Water Filters: A Grassroots Train-the-Trainer Program
Flint and Flint, Michigan, USA
A grassroots train-the-trainer program on how to install, operate and maintain faucet-mounted point-of-use filters to protect for lead in drinking water.
Learn More
In-Place Structural Monitoring of Cast Iron Water Main Renewal
Detroit, Michigan, USA
The Great Lakes Water Authority is looking for ways to rehabilitate large diameter water mains without actually having to dig up city streets.
Learn More
Treating PFAS Impacted Groundwater using Plasma
Ypsilanti, Michigan, USA
A PFAS treatment approach for groundwater using low-temperature plasma with a concentration phase
Learn More
Assessment of Risk for Southeast Michigan’s Drinking Water Transmission System
Detroit, Michigan, USA
The University of Michigan is developing a structural reliability framework to quantify the probability of failure of pipe segments throughout the GLWA system.
Learn More
Data-Driven Decision-Making Framework for Risk Management of the GLWA Water Transmission System
Detroit, Michigan, USA
The goal of this project is to develop a data-driven asset management framework that quantifies risk in the water distribution network for southeast Michigan.
Learn More
Ox Creek Corridor Visioning Project
Benton Harbor, Michigan, USA
The city of Benton Harbor wishes to transform Ox Creek into a residential, recreational and commercial centerpiece linking important segments of the community.
Learn More
Michigan Center for Freshwater Innovation (MCFI)
The State of Michigan, Michigan, USA
The MCFI will leverage research in water technology and work with stakeholders to translate research into practice, stimulate business growth and job creation.
Learn More
State of Michigan Water Infrastructure Regional Planning
The State of Michigan, Michigan, USA
Recommendations were developed to promote regional planning to ensure infrastructure investments are equitable and result in high-quality drinking water.
Learn More
Great Lakes Legacy Act (GLLA) Restoration of the Rouge River
Detroit, Michigan, USA
The Urban Collaboratory is working with the USEPA and the Great Lakes Water Authority to remediate and restore the Rouge River.
Learn MorePrincipal Investigators
Glen Daigger PhD, MSCE, PE
Principal Investigator
Co-Founder
Professor, Environmental and Water Resources
Dr. Daigger is currently Professor of Engineering Practice at the University of Michigan and President and Founder of One Water Solutions, LLC, a water engineering and innovation firm. He previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for CH2M HILL where he was employed for 35 years, as well as Professor and Chair of Environmental Systems Engineering at Clemson University. Actively engaged in the water profession through major projects, and as author or co-author of more than 100 technical papers, four books, and several technical manuals, he contributes to significantly advance practice within the water profession. He has advised many of the major cites of the world, including New York, Los Angles, San Francisco, Singapore, Hong Kong, Istanbul, and Beijing, and is currently a member of the Asian Development Bank Water Advisory Group. Deeply involved in professional activities, he is currently co-Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the Water Environment and Reuse Foundation (WE&RF), and a Past President of the International Water Association (IWA). The recipient of numerous awards, including the Kappe, Freese, and Feng lectures and the Harrison Prescott Eddy, Morgan, and the Gascoigne Awards, he is a Distinguished Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), a Distinguished Fellow of IWA, and a Fellow of the Water Environment Federation (WEF). A member of a number of professional societies, Dr. Daigger is also a member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineers.
Recent Projects
+ Optimizing Phosphorus Removal at Detroit’s Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF)
+ Protecting Public Health with Improved Water Service
+ Use of Artificial Intelligence in Water Resource Recovery Facilities (WRRF)