AI-Powered Solutions for Smarter Sewer Network Management and Root Infiltration Prevention

By Ravindra Samarasinghe

Earlier this month, iTelaSoft took part in the LGNSW Water Conference 2025 in Albury, NSW. Hosted by Albury City Council, the event brought council engineers, scientists, vendors, and consultants together to address key water and sewer challenges — from PFAS contamination to sustainability strategies.

Albury Water Plant Visit Highlights

A major event was the visit to Albury's water and sewer plant and pump house, highlighting innovative wastewater reuse projects making a real community impact. The conference confirmed that councils across NSW face common challenges maintaining water and sewer infrastructure amid tight budgets and fragmented data.

The Root Infiltration Problem in Sewer Networks

As super apps serve many purposes, they can become a source of latency. To enhance the experience of the end users, the following approaches can be utilized: 

1. Root infiltration remains a significant problem causing :


• Service-disrupting blockages

• Expensive emergency repairs

• Environmental and community risks

• Infrastructure deterioration

2. Councils struggle due to :


• Budget limitations requiring careful spending

• Incomplete or unstructured asset data

• Data silos across departments blocking coordinated maintenance

For an instant, let’s take a test case of “Emergency Call Testing - with (U)SIM” with XGP  

Create a new execution with a configurable RCC to be tested. 

Image: Creation of a Test Definition with Execution Variables

Test Script with Test Steps


• Read the signal strength and IMSI of the (U)SIM 

• Read the existing configuration of RCCs in the RF module and add if RCC is not already configured.   

• Then make the call and hang up after few seconds.  

• Note:

In this example, the actual dialing step of the emergency call was intentionally skipped, as executing live calls to a PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point) in a production environment is not advisable without prior coordination 

Image: Test Script with Test Steps

Did you know?

Tree roots can infiltrate sewer pipes through cracks as small as 3mm, growing inside pipes and causing severe blockages that cost councils millions annually in repairs and emergency callouts.

Using AI to Address Root Infiltration

1

Early Detection

Detecting early root infiltration signs from CCTV, sensors, and maintenance logs

2

Targeted Maintenance

Enabling targeted maintenance to save costs and reduce risks

3

Data Integration

Improving asset visibility by integrating siloed data

4

Lifecycle Extension

Improving asset visibility by integrating siloed data

Boosting Inflow & Infiltration Models with AI

One promising application is the improvement of existing Inflow & Infiltration (I&I) models, which are widely used by councils and water utilities to assess sewer network performance. 

By connecting to existing SCADA systems, iTelaSoft can access real-time flow, pressure, and pump station data. This can be enriched with additional datasets that councils and utilities already have or can easily access, such as: 


• Tree locations and species prone to root invasion

• Soil composition affecting root growth and infiltration

• Maintenance and CCTV inspection histories

• Environmental info like rainfall and groundwater levels

This generates precise, location-based insights so councils can:


• Prioritise high-risk areas for maintenance

• Prevent major failures

• Optimise budgeting

• Plan infrastructure long term with data-driven decisions

This generates precise, location-based insights so councils can:

✓

Prioritise high-risk areas for maintenance

✓

Prevent major failures

✓

Optimise budgeting

✓

Plan infrastructure long term with data-driven decisions

Water and sewer systems are vital but challenging assets to manage. Partnering with councils and technology providers, iTelaSoft harnesses secure AI innovations to reduce risks, streamline expenditure, and protect these critical networks.

Networks

The LGNSW conference reinforced that collaboration and advanced technology will define the future of Australia's water and sewer management.

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