Data-Driven Water Infrastructure Management

The Town of Midland is committed to delivering safe, reliable water and wastewater services while making responsible investments in the infrastructure that supports our community.

To help manage more than 200 kilometres of underground water and wastewater infrastructure, Midland uses advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI). These tools help staff better understand infrastructure condition and risk, enabling more informed decisions about maintenance, rehabilitation and replacement.

By combining technology with engineering expertise and operational experience, the Town of Midland takes a proactive approach to managing this critical infrastructure and planning for the future.

How the Technology Works

Town staff work with CANN Forecast, a Canadian technology company specializing in artificial intelligence for infrastructure management, to analyze data from Midland's water and wastewater systems.

The technology reviews information from multiple sources, including:

• Infrastructure inventory and asset records
• Maintenance and work order history
• Historical failure data
• Condition assessment information
• Acoustic monitoring and leak detection data
• Operational and environmental factors that may influence infrastructure performance

Using this information, the system identifies patterns and estimates which sections of the water and wastewater network may be at a higher risk of future failure. The technology helps staff understand where problems are most likely to occur and what the potential impacts could be.

These insights support infrastructure planning, helping Town staff prioritize inspections, maintenance, rehabilitation and replacement projects based on risk and need.

Why it Matters

Much of Midland's water and wastewater infrastructure is located underground, making it difficult to assess through visual inspection alone. Advanced analytics and predictive modelling help the Town better understand infrastructure risk and make informed decisions about maintenance and replacement.

This helps the Town:

• maintain reliable water and wastewater services.
• reduce the risk of service disruptions and infrastructure failures.
• prioritize investments where they will have the greatest impact.
• plan proactively rather than reactively.
• extend the life of existing infrastructure.
• maximize the value of taxpayer-funded assets.

By taking a data-driven approach to infrastructure management, Midland is making smarter investments that support both current residents and future growth.

Recognition

Midland's approach to data-driven infrastructure management has been recognized by leading municipal and water sector organizations:

• In 2024, the Town received the Peter J. Marshall Innovation Award from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario for its project, Leveraging AI for Enhanced Risk Assessments for Water and Wastewater Infrastructure.
• In 2026, Midland received the Community Water Innovation Award from AquaHacking, an initiative of AquaAction, recognizing the Town's leadership in applying artificial intelligence and advanced analytics to water and wastewater infrastructure management.

These recognitions reflect the Town's commitment to innovation, responsible asset management and continuous improvement in municipal service delivery.