AI, IoT and big data drive Sanitation 4.0 shift in urban water systems

Artificial intelligence (AI), big data and the Internet of Things (IoTs) are becoming the main technological drivers of smart water and sanitation services, with digital tools increasingly used to monitor networks, detect leaks, optimize treatment plants and support utility decision-making.

A new study, titled Smart Water and Sanitation 4.0: A Systematic Review of Industry 4.0 Technologies in Urban Water Systems and published in Water, examines how Industry 4.0 technologies are being implemented in water and sanitation services, identifying the dominant tools, application areas and purposes behind digital transformation in the sector.

AI, IoT and big data dominate sanitation technology adoption

Rising water consumption, population growth, effluent generation and pollution are increasing pressure on cities to deliver safe drinking water, expand sanitation access and manage wastewater more efficiently. The authors note that traditional water and wastewater systems often struggle with complex, changing conditions, including variations in water quality, nonlinear treatment processes, high operational costs and aging infrastructure.

The review argues that Industry 4.0 technologies are beginning to change that picture. Under the Sanitation 4.0 concept, tools such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, big data and data analytics, cloud computing, blockchain, augmented reality and robotics are being used to build smarter, more responsive water and sanitation systems. These technologies support real-time monitoring, data-driven management, process optimization and better decision-making across the urban water cycle.

The researchers conducted a systematic literature review using a structured process aligned with PRISMA principles. They searched Scopus, Web of Science and ScienceDirect for journal articles published from 2019 to 2024. After screening and eligibility checks, 208 studies were included in the final review. The selected studies were analyzed using NVivo software, with coding focused on two core categories: application areas and Industry 4.0 technologies.

The results show a strong concentration around three technologies. Artificial intelligence was the most frequently reported tool, accounting for 161 occurrences and 43 percent of the identified technology mentions. Big data and data analytics followed with 99 occurrences, or 26.5 percent. The Internet of Things was third, with 74 occurrences, or 19.8 percent. Together, these three technologies represented nearly 90 percent of the reviewed evidence.

• Cloud computing was less common, with 25 occurrences, followed by blockchain with 10. Augmented reality and robots were rarely identified, showing that some advanced digital tools remain at an early stage in sanitation services.
• The dominance of AI reflects its growing role in predictive maintenance, treatment process simulation, water quality prediction, dosage optimization and operational decision support. AI models are being used to predict water flow, estimate repair time and costs, assess pipeline condition, simulate wastewater treatment processes and help managers make faster, more accurate decisions.
• Big data and data analytics are closely linked to AI adoption. Their value lies in collecting, cleaning and analyzing large datasets from water networks, treatment plants and consumer systems. The review shows that large historical datasets enable pipeline condition assessment, consumption pattern analysis, wastewater quality prediction and data-centric water engineering.
• IoT stood out for its versatility. It was the only technology identified across all sanitation application areas reviewed by the authors. Its strongest uses were in water distribution, wastewater treatment and management, where sensor networks can monitor water quality, pressure, flow, infrastructure performance and treatment conditions in real time.

Digital systems target leaks, treatment plants and utility management

The review found that Industry 4.0 technologies are most often applied in water distribution, wastewater treatment and management. Water distribution was the leading application area, with 80 occurrences, followed by wastewater treatment with 74 and management with 59. Leak detection and water treatment were also prominent, while flow measurement and consumption measurement appeared less often. Security and sewerage collection were the least represented areas.

Distribution networks are often old, inefficient and vulnerable to leaks, pipe corrosion, rupture and contamination. Digital monitoring systems can help utilities identify abnormal pressure or flow patterns, detect leaks earlier and reduce non-revenue water. IoT-based sensors, hydrophones and smart meters are becoming important tools in this shift.

Leak detection is one of the clearest examples of Sanitation 4.0 in action. The review identifies the use of hydrophones, acoustic data, smart meters and IoT devices to detect and classify leaks. These tools can compare delivered water with actual consumption, identify abnormal flow behavior and support faster localization of network failures. In systems where water loss is high and infrastructure renewal is expensive, early leak detection can reduce costs, conserve water and limit service disruption.

The review shows that AI, big data and IoT are being used to monitor treatment quality, predict effluent parameters, optimize biological and membrane-based processes, control aeration, estimate dissolved oxygen and nitrate levels and support reuse strategies. These applications are important because wastewater treatment plants must meet regulatory standards while controlling energy use, chemical dosing and operating costs.

Many wastewater treatment processes remain less advanced than other industrial systems. Digital tools can help operators move from reactive management to predictive control. By generating historical datasets, tracking treatment parameters and forecasting performance, sanitation utilities can detect process instability earlier and reduce the risk of treatment failure.

In management, digital technologies are being used to support dashboards, planning systems, decision-making tools, consumer communication and operational alerts. IoT platforms can generate data for urban planning and utility decisions, while AI can support choices on maintenance, resource allocation, pumping and service delivery. The review also notes that mobile applications and digital feedback systems can support more sustainable consumption behavior by giving users clearer information about water use and service conditions.

Consumption measurement is increasingly tied to smart meters, cloud computing and IoT infrastructure. Smart metering can give utilities real-time or near-real-time data on household consumption, abnormal usage, demand patterns and potential leaks. This helps improve billing accuracy, manage demand and support targeted interventions in areas with high water loss.

The review also connects digital sanitation systems with wider sustainability goals. By enabling better resource use, faster responses to failures, improved treatment quality and more efficient operations, Industry 4.0 technologies can support progress toward universal access to safe water and sanitation. The authors link this transformation to Sustainable Development Goal 6, which calls for clean water and sanitation for all.

Cybersecurity and sewerage collection remain weak spots

The review also identifies major gaps. Sewerage collection was the least explored application area, with only one occurrence in the analyzed sample. The authors point to structural barriers, including limited public policies, weak institutional frameworks, shortages of qualified professionals, high operation and maintenance costs, limited community engagement and affordability challenges.

Sewerage systems are critical to public health, environmental protection and urban resilience. Sensor-based monitoring can help detect corrosion, blockages, gas buildup, overflows, infiltration and hydraulic failures. Yet the review shows that sewerage collection has not received the same level of Industry 4.0 attention as water distribution and wastewater treatment.

Security is another underdeveloped area. As water and sanitation systems become more connected, they also become more exposed to cyber risks. The review finds that security-related applications remain relatively limited, even though digital water infrastructure increasingly depends on sensors, cloud systems, communication networks and automated control platforms.

Blockchain appeared mainly in security-related use cases, where it can support data integrity, transparency and trust in water systems. It was associated with protection of critical infrastructure, secure water value chains and authenticated data environments. However, the overall occurrence of blockchain remained low, suggesting that security-focused innovation has not kept pace with broader digitalization.

The study warns that data security needs greater attention. Water utilities often depend on generic cybersecurity frameworks rather than systems designed for sanitation-specific risks. The sector also faces workforce capacity constraints in cybersecurity. As smart water systems expand, weak protection could expose utilities to cyberattacks, data manipulation, service disruption and loss of public trust.

Robots and augmented reality were also rarely reported. Augmented reality appeared in limited inspection and maintenance contexts, while robots were linked to automated monitoring and security-related infrastructure tasks. Their low occurrence suggests that cost, technical complexity, implementation barriers and limited case evidence may still be slowing adoption.

The authors also raise governance and equity concerns. AI-based decision support systems can improve utility management, but if data are aggregated without attention to social differences, they may overlook the needs of specific groups. This is especially relevant in water services, where household water management responsibilities often fall disproportionately on women and girls in many contexts. Poorly designed digital systems can reinforce blind spots in policy decisions on tariffs, water-saving programs and infrastructure investment.

The study’s limitations include its focus on water distribution and wastewater treatment, with solid waste management and urban drainage outside the review scope. The authors call for future research to include underexplored domains, evaluate less documented technologies through pilot projects and examine governance frameworks that can support wider digital integration.