Optimizing operations while ensuring the responsible use of new technologies

Did you know that half of Philadelphia’s water mains were installed before the 1930s, and some even predate the Civil War? Melissa Darr, Global Water Optimization Program Manager at Arcadis, highlights the critical state of global water infrastructure, emphasizing the urgent need for technological solutions to address aging systems and climate impacts. She discusses how AI can revolutionize water management by optimizing operations and investments. Essential to this transformation is the collection and standardization of robust data sets, as demonstrated by Arcadis' projects in Australia and the UK. These initiatives show that shared data and AI-driven models can significantly reduce costs and improve service reliability. However, Darr warns that AI must be implemented ethically and transparently to avoid reinforcing biases, as illustrated by Seattle's experience in balancing customer complaints with demographic data for fairer infrastructure investments.

About the speaker

Melissa Darr is Global Water Optimization Program Manager at Arcadis. She has worked extensively across the Southwestern United States helping water utilities maximize the value they get from their systems through asset management, energy management, digital transformations, and smart metering projects. She also works internally at Arcadis on the Global Sustainability Team and the Global Water Optimization Solution team helping Arcadis make their own operations more sustainable.

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