The wastewater industry is changing. New technologies are delivering more data than ever before, and inspection software is becoming increasingly effective in managing, analyzing and storing data. 

Flooding is a concern in almost every part of the world. And in the United States specifically, flooding has caused more death and destruction than any other kind of natural disaster, according to National Geographic. 

Floods pose a threat to people, homes and buildings, and to civil infrastructure, including wastewater systems.

Sewers are designed to endure a lot: collecting, transporting, sorting and processing human waste, debris, normal flow and, in some cases, rainwater and runoff. But they can only withstand so much over a period of time before they begin to break down. General wear-and-tear is one of the leading causes of sewer damage, but there are other common contributors, too.

Having the capability to visualize data is a crucial part of any wastewater team’s inspection workflow, and WinCan’s flexible GIS integrations makes it easier than ever to do so.

Sewer workers — and project managers, construction crews, and public works teams — spend much of their time on the job site. And the location and project can vary wildly day to day. In a single week a crew may be asked to deploy equipment into a downtown collection system, through lines in a new suburban development, or down an access point in an off-road easement.

Artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionize the way we manage and maintain our wastewater systems. But untangling the too-good-to-be-true claims of pitchmen and the long-term implications for the average operator is not easy.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) has become increasingly common across many different industries seeking to make processes smarter and more efficient. The wastewater industry is no exception. Discussion about the roles AI can and will play in assessing and managing wastewater assets has been growing as the technology evolves. 

Managing capital assets like wastewater infrastructure requires departments to keep maintenance and ownership costs low while ensuring service levels remains high.

Wastewater industry professionals have carried on much the same during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring that essential services are getting the attention they need to provide for communities. But while the specific needs of sewer systems haven’t shifted much, the industry’s financial situation has, forcing departments across the United States to reevaluate and rebudget.

Kevin David spent nearly two decades working in the wastewater industry before deciding to venture out and start something of his own.