AI sewers helping to prevent flooding

Artificial Intelligence (AI) deployed in the sewer system has helped prevent West Sussex homes from flooding, Southern Water says.

AI learns the normal behaviour of sewers and can tell the difference between morning and evening rushes, rain in the system, and a blockage forming.

Digital sensors in a sewer at East Lavington near Petworth on 16 June spotted a blockage caused by a fatberg which was then tackled before gardens and homes flooded with wastewater.

"We're spotting hundreds of potential blockages before it's too late," said Daniel McElhinney, proactive operations control manager at Southern Water.

According to Southern Water, blocked sewers are the single biggest cause of pollution incidents, but AI has now cut internal flooding by 40% and external flooding by 15%.

The water company says it has about 32,000 sewer lever monitors that can check on flows and spot anything out of the ordinary which might indicate a blockage or leak.

Mr McElhinney said: "Most customers do not realise the average suburban sewer is only the diameter of an orange or a tennis ball.

"It doesn't take much cooking fat to combine with other 'unflushables' such as sanitary products, wet wipes or even ear cleaning sticks, to form a fatberg," he added.

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.