PHOENIX (AZFamille) — The water you drink and use here in Phoenix has been inspected by AI technology.
The city is using this new technology to combat polluters sending chemicals into our water system.
“That sends a message to our staff and then we can decide to send our inspectors out to take a look,” said Nazario Prieto, deputy director of water services for the Phoenix Water Department.
Prieto said this technology is used to monitor what’s flowing through Phoenix’s 5,000-mile sewer system.
“We want to make sure people aren’t putting things down the drain that could actually affect the treatment process or damage our infrastructure,” he said.
Prieto said the city has had problems with businesses dumping gasoline or other harmful chemicals down the drain. Before using this new technology, the city had to rely on a team of 15 people to track this business, which could take hours or even days, but these sensors are a game changer.
In just a few minutes, Prieto said the sensors, which are in place throughout the city, can narrow the area where hazards originate.
“Some of these devices even have a sampler in the same location,” he said.
The city only recently started using the technology, but they say it’s already proving to be a useful tool.
“We had about three or four cases where we were able to capture things that were of concern to us. There was an incident where we found a nickel in the sewer system, and we went back and knew where it came from,” Prieto said.
If a business or person is found to be in violation, the city will first take an educational approach. They will explain to you what you can and cannot put into the sewer system. If you continue to break the law, you could face hefty fines and even lose your municipal driver’s license.
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