Grant

• Identify and prioritize high-value use. Select 3–5 priority applications spanning both drinking water and wastewater utilities where camera-based AI can provide the greatest operational benefit.
• Evaluate camera technologies and minimum requirements. Compare camera platforms and minimum technical requirements; camera platforms may range from RGB cameras up to multispectral/hyperspectral options, to identify the level of imaging needed for operational monitoring cases identified.
• Develop and test computer vision AI algorithms for selected use cases and quantify performance under varying sites, lighting, weather conditions, and deployment configurations. Camera-derived observations should be validated against conventional operational measurements like sensors to demonstrate accuracy, reliability, and practical utility.
• Assess transferability and scalability. Evaluate whether models trained at one site or with one camera type can be applied across multiple utilities and site locations with minimal retraining, acknowledging applicability across their IT infrastructure, and define implementation pathways.

WRF RFP Contact: George Kajjumba, PhD, PE

For instructions on how to submit proposals, refer to these instructions or this video.

The Potential Participants listed at the bottom of this page have indicated interest in participating in this research. This information is updated frequently as utilities are encouraged to volunteer throughout the RFP cycle.