Featured PI: Nalini Venkatasubramanian and the Smart Water Infrastructure Data Exchange

Nalini Venkatasubramanian, a professor at the University of California, Irvine, has been leading a groundbreaking project that aims to revolutionize the way we manage and maintain our aging water infrastructure systems. Through her work on the Smart Water Infrastructure Data Exchange (SWADE) project, Nalini has demonstrated the power of data-driven approaches and machine learning techniques to tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing water utilities and municipalities.

During a recent interview, Nalini shared her experiences and insights from the SWADE project, highlighting the project's successes and the potential impact it could have on communities across the country.
 

Addressing Aging Water Infrastructure Challenges

One of the key focus areas of the SWADE project has been addressing the challenges posed by aging water infrastructure systems. Nalini explained that traditional methods of identifying faults in the system are often reactive, with problems only being identified once they manifest themselves, often in the form of costly and disruptive pipe bursts.

To address this issue, Nalini and her team have developed a data-driven approach that combines IoT sensors, physics-based principles, and machine learning techniques. This approach allows them to quickly identify potential faults and prevent pipe bursts before they occur. The team's work with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has been particularly successful, as they were able to identify weak pipelines and recommend the deployment of expensive earthquake-resistant sleeves to prevent future damage.
 

Improving Data Sharing and Collaboration

Another important aspect of the SWADE project is the focus on improving data sharing and collaboration among various water agencies and stakeholders. Nalini explained that while agencies like Orange County Public Works, Orange County Wastewater District, Irvine Ranch Water District, and Los Angeles Department of Water and Power all play a role in water management, they often operate in silos, with limited data and insight sharing.

To address this challenge, Nalini and her team have developed a water data ontology, a tool that allows agencies to retain data in their own formats while sharing only what they are willing to share. This federated approach aims to address concerns about sensitive data being exposed, while still enabling the sharing of valuable information that can lead to overall benefits for the community.
 

Harnessing the Power of Machine Learning

Nalini and her team have also explored the use of machine learning techniques to improve the detection and identification of problems in water systems. Their approach has resulted in a 30 to 40% improvement in identifying failures in impactful regions quickly, and they are exploring the use of mobile sensors and smart balls to further narrow down problematic areas.

In addition to identifying water system failures, Nalini's team has also used machine learning to tackle the issue of stormwater contamination. By leveraging their data-driven techniques, they were able to collaborate with Orange County Public Works to identify illicit discharges in the stormwater system, a task that can take up to 2 to 3 years to discover without continuous monitoring.
 

The Road Ahead
As the SWADE project continues to evolve, Nalini and her team are exploring new avenues for expansion, including the development of a risk and resilience toolkit that allows communities to assess their vulnerability and resilience based on their infrastructure and population. This toolkit has already been presented to the California Water Data Collaborative, a group of 40 to 50 agencies, and is expected to be widely adopted.

Nalini's passion for her work and her dedication to improving water infrastructure systems are evident in her conversations. Her work on the SWADE project has the potential to have a lasting impact on communities across the country, and we are excited to see what the future holds for this innovative project.