From Planning to Operations: How Digital Twins, Live Data and AI Can Support Wastewater Operations
November 18, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM ET | 10:00 AM CT | 8:00 AM PT
Duration: 60 minutes
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Summary
Utilities have invested in digital twins for long-term planning — network and process models supporting capital plans and capacity assessments, built on theoretical, design-basis inputs. In this webinar, we'll discuss how those models can be extended to support decisions made today by operations staff, not just decisions made once a decade by planners — a shift technology can enable.
The enabler is real data: live field and process measurements — depth, flow, and level readings, pump and equipment operating status, external conditions like tide, river, and groundwater levels, and lab or online water quality sampling — feeding continuously into the digital twin across treatment and network assets.
With that live picture in place, four capabilities emerge. First, visualization of the here and now: understanding at a glance which process step or network area needs attention. Second, predictive risk: looking ahead to what's on the horizon, whether an incoming rainfall event or operating conditions trending towards a spill or effluent permit breach. Third, testing response and control options against the twin, and using it to develop optimized control strategies rather than relying on responsive-only control behaviour, the so-called feedback loop. Finally, anomaly detection: flagging unexpected behaviour when real data deviates significantly from expected model values, drawing attention to issues before they escalate.
Built on this basis of technology and assets, AI can then be overlaid to interpret, compare and review results, providing immediate access to key information and recommendations needed to act.
What will be covered:
- The typical purpose for these planning tools.
- How their value can be harnessed with live data inputs.
- System issues which can be detected and predicted through current technology.
- Potential for operational responses to be informed ahead of time, including through scenario testing.
- How AI can be leveraged to generate meaningful decision support.
Speaker
Pascal Lang
Director, Product Management Wastewater
Xylem Vue
Pascal Lang is a senior leader in digital water technology with deep technical expertise across wastewater, hydraulic modelling, and real‑time operational intelligence. He has a proven track record of shaping complex digital ecosystems, designing integrated product strategies, and advancing modelling and analytics capabilities across utilities and software organisations.
