Machine Learning - the future of data-driven decision validation for Infrastructure
Pipe Data from Global Water Utilities + Break Data = 1 World Changing Model
Machine Learning

Using Technology To Solve A Global Issue

Fracta is a cutting edge condition assessment solution that uses Machine Learning to assess the condition and risk of drinking water distribution mains.

The Fracta solution shifts asset operation and management from reaction to prevention. It helps avoid disruptive water main breaks, lower non-revenue water (NRW), better target leak detection, valve maintenance efforts, and educate key stakeholders on the true cost and risk of their aging water main infrastructure.
Our Process

Comparing Traditional Methods To Machine Learning

Existing methods of forecasting pipe prioritization are effective, but fail to take into account many recent advancements in artificial intelligence.

Fracta

Current Practices

Fracta's Machine Learning

Data Variables

Few: Age, breaks

Many Types: - Breaks, Attributes, Environment, City/Parcels, Flow/Pressure

Environmental Considerations

Limited

Extensive

Network Effects

No, each city uses its own data only

Yes, utilizing relevant data from Global Utility Network 

Model Improvement

Static Manual re-do

- Self-Learning and will keep improving- Automatic improvement and updates (saves labor)

Weight-Based Models

Subjective weights

Results reflect objective patterns in the data

Technology

Our Approach To Training Data

Model predictions get stronger as more data is processed. Fracta uses nation-wide geospatial information as well as tens of thousands of miles of water mains and historical break events to calculate LOF and COF to determine Total Risk. As time goes by, more data is collected and the accuracy of LOF and COF improves. By rehabilitating or replacing the worst pipe, utilities should see their break rates decrease over time.
Pipe and Break Data
Enviromental Data
Population Data
Soil condition
Weather data
150+ more

Cloud-based Machine Learning

The Fracta solution is a cloud-based software application that can be connected to important software applications used by water utilities, including Enterprise Asset Management (EAM), Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) and Hydraulic Modeling.

Fracta can complete Likelihood of Failure (LOF), Consequence of Failure (COF) and Business Risk Exposure (BRE) assessments for an entire water main distribution system in 1-2 weeks. The results are delivered in a Software as a Solution (SaaS) system and visualized using dynamic graphs and charts. New data can be uploaded and modeled several times per year, enabling a dynamic, near real-time assessment of the system.

Enabling The Shift From Reactive To Proactive

Utilities and their consulting engineers perform desktop and physical condition assessments of buried water mains as part of their infrastructure asset management. Physical condition assessments tend to be slow, expensive and labor intensive. Multiple physical measurements are required for correlation and confirmation. Beyond the tested pipe, it’s difficult to extrapolate this data for system-wide recommendations.

Desktop condition assessments primarily rely on age, break history and the experience of the engineer evaluating data. The results are often based on best professional judgment, which is a generally accepted engineering practice, but it can be subjective. It’s also been shown that age-based analyses are significantly less accurate, more time intensive and more expensive

We are anticipating that this technology will guide us in prioritizing the replacement of our water infrastructure that is most vulnerable to failure. In addition, this added information will provide valuable information to Public Works staff as they work to repair water main breaks as quickly and efficiently as possible.

— Max Slankard, Director of Public Works, Skokie, Illinois

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