Water firm to use AI to improve river quality

Utilizing advanced AI algorithms, Northumbrian Water and Cognizant will track river health trends and pollution patterns, enabling proactive measures to safeguard water quality. The partnership underscores a commitment to innovation-driven solutions in addressing environmental challenges. By leveraging technology and data analytics, the project aims to mitigate the impact of pollution incidents, ensuring the long-term resilience of river ecosystems. The collaboration between a water utility company and a technology firm reflects a growing trend of cross-sector collaboration to tackle complex environmental issues. This initiative aligns with broader industry efforts to harness technological advancements for sustainable water management practices.

Northumbrian Water’s collaboration with Cognizant Ocean integrates machine learning and artificial intelligence to monitor pollution, river health, and factors like agriculture, road run-offs, and storm overflows. Nigel Watson, Northumbrian Water’s Chief Information Officer, envisions leveraging data insights to combat river pollution, a key challenge. Through this partnership, they aim to enhance understanding of river health, optimize investments, and foster targeted collaborations for improving UK rivers.

Stig Martin Fiskå, Global Head of Cognizant Ocean, underscores the project’s role in laying groundwork for future endeavors. He emphasizes the potential for developing nuanced representations of river health and water quality. The collaboration aims to enhance the quality and biodiversity of rivers in Northeast England, setting a precedent for similar initiatives worldwide.