Wessex Water selects AI simulation software to optimise DWMPs solutions

Wessex Water has selected modeFRONTIER Artificial Intelligence (AI) simulation software from consulting firm EnginSoft UK in an effort to optimise solutions for drainage water management plans (DWMPs).

By using AI, the system will be able to accelerate the optimisation process.

EnginSoft UK managing director Bipin Patel said: “We approached Wessex Water with our strategicGIANT flood assessment software, which is ideal for assessing flood scenarios as part of the growth impact planning process.

“However, since they were wanting to tackle DWMP generation, direct optimisation with modeFRONTIER was the most appropriate approach for Wessex Water.”

The company noted that all water authorities in the UK need to develop DWMP for all catchments as part of AMP7.

Along with other sectors, the water industry sought new technology, and more specifically AI, to streamline the process while meeting regulatory requirements.

Wessex Water decided to trial suitable software.

Wessex Water Wastewater Modelling technical manager David Searby said: “The EnginSoft trial for DWMP optioneering delivered positive results and we have now taken the decision to purchase a one year licence to allow us to look at more catchments using this AI-based approach.”

After details pertaining to the catchment were captured through a simple ‘pro-forma’, the modeFRONTIE workflow was generated in a short span of time.

Later on, the optimisation study was conducted for two days to generate feasible solutions which fulfil chosen criteria.

For Wessex Water, four days were required and a series of graphical results with varying cost versus benefit trade-offs were obtained.