WSSC Water Collaborates on $150,000 Research Grant to Advance Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Water Resource Recovery Operations

Laurel, Md. – March 26, 2026 – A project team that includes WSSC Water has been awarded a $150,000 research grant from the Water Research Foundation (WRF) to develop and test new artificial intelligence (AI) tools designed to optimize operations at water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs).

The research is focused on addressing growing operational challenges, including:

• Stricter environmental regulations to protect local waterways
• Rising energy and chemical costs
• Complex treatment processes requiring real-time decision-making
• Numerous data systems that do not always work together
• Training and support for the next generation of plant operators 

To help address these challenges, the research team will develop AI tools that turn plant data into clear, easy-to-use information for operators. 

The project will be piloted at WSSC Water’s Piscataway WRRF in Accokeek, Maryland, where the technology will help forecast treatment impacts and identify opportunities to optimize operations through reduced energy and chemical use. 

“As the next generation enters the water workforce and become operators of these increasingly complex treatment facilities, they need tools that turn data into actionable insight,” said Dr. Caroline Nguyen, WSSC Water Program Manager of Innovation. “This project allows us to test practical AI solutions that support operators, improve efficiency, and strengthen environmental protection, starting with real-world applications at our Piscataway WRRF.” 

The core project team is comprised of Stantec, an engineering firm, WSSC Water and Prince William Water, along with EAOS, a firm that specializes in AI tools for wastewater operations. 

WSSC Water is contributing $75,000 to support the effort and will help pilot and apply the technology at its facilities. 

Stantec will lead development of the AI system, combining engineering expertise with advanced data analytics. The company will also incorporate AI technology from EAOS. 

The two and half year initiative will focus on creating practical tools that plant operators can use in their day-to-day work while ensuring participating utilities maintain ownership of their data. 

This project is part of WRF’s Tailored Collaboration Program which supports utility-led research projects that address real-world operational needs. Additional Mid-Atlantic utilities that will benefit from the research include AlexRenew, Arlington County, Hampton Roads Sanitation District, DC Water, Loudoun Water, and Charlotte Water. 

The results will include an operational pilot, a research report, and a practical implementation guide designed to help utilities understand how AI can be used to support treatment plant operations. 

By exploring new technologies like AI, WSSC Water continues to lead efforts to optimize operations while protecting public health and local waterways.