[Mainland China] AI Water Utility Large Model + Continuous Water Quality Detection Robot Deployed in Wastewater Treatment Plant: Six-Month Field Trial in Shaoxing Keqiao Shows "Chemical Dosing Reduced by 10%–25%, Aeration Energy Consumption Reduced by 15%

Lead Summary: The two full-process continuous water quality detection robot systems commissioned by Shaoxing Water Treatment Development Co., Ltd. have been operating stably: they can automatically complete the entire process of wastewater sampling, detection, and analysis 24 小时, increasing the water quality detection frequency from 1 rounds per day to 12 rounds, and leveraging the AI Water Smart Model to predict water quality changes in real time and dynamically optimize chemical dosing and aeration parameters. Data from six months of operation shows that for the domestic sewage treatment process, chemical dosing decreased by 10%–25% and energy consumption in the aeration stage was reduced by 15%, providing a quantifiable benchmark for low-cost intelligent retrofitting of existing wastewater treatment plants.

I. From "Manual Spot Checks" to "Robotic Online Continuous Detection"

Traditional water quality monitoring in wastewater treatment plants relies largely on manual scheduled sampling and laboratory testing, which is low in frequency and highly lagged, making it difficult to capture transient fluctuations in influent water quality in a timely manner. The full-process continuous water quality detection robot system introduced by Shaoxing Water Treatment Company has changed this paradigm.

• Fully automated process — The robot system can operate 24 小时 around the clock to automatically complete the entire process of sampling, detection, and analysis, replacing a large number of repetitive manual operations;
• Leap in frequency — Water quality detection frequency has been substantially increased from 1 rounds per day to 12 rounds, providing "minute-level" data support for refined process control;
• Stable and reliable — Robotic online operation reduces manual sampling errors and operational variability, improving the consistency and traceability of detection data.

II. AI Large Model-Driven: Making "Chemical Dosing and Aeration" Adjust in Real Time to Water Quality

High-frequency detection alone is not sufficient — the key lies in "accurate measurement, fast computation, and precise control." The system feeds high-frequency water quality data into the AI Water Smart Model, enabling real-time prediction of influent water quality and dynamically optimizing chemical dosing and aeration parameters accordingly.

• Intelligent chemical dosing — Precisely calculates chemical dosage based on real-time water quality and changing trends, avoiding chemical waste caused by "empirical overdosing";
• Precision aeration — Dynamically adjusts aeration intensity based on influent loading, reducing electrical energy consumption from unnecessary aeration;
• Predictive control — The AI large model can anticipate water quality fluctuations in advance and trigger parameter adjustments, delivering greater energy savings and more stable effluent quality than "post-hoc correction."

III. Six Months of Field Data: A "Win-Win" for Both the Economic and Environmental Ledger

According to information disclosed by Keqiao District, Shaoxing, the system has delivered remarkable results after six months of operation: for the domestic sewage treatment process, chemical dosing decreased by 10%–25%, and energy consumption in the aeration stage was reduced by 15%. This means that while ensuring or even improving effluent stability, direct reductions in operating costs have been achieved.

• Reduced chemical costs — Based on daily treatment capacity estimates, the reduction in chemical dosing translates into substantial annual savings;
• Reduced electricity consumption — Aeration is one of the major energy-consuming stages in wastewater treatment plants; an energy reduction of 15% is highly significant for plants with a high proportion of electricity costs;
• Highly replicable — This model does not require disruptive retrofitting of existing processes; it relies primarily on the stacking of software and hardware — "online sensing + AI model + automated control execution" — making it suitable for rapid deployment across existing wastewater treatment plants.

IV. Industry Implications: Wastewater Treatment Plant Intelligence Is Moving from "Concept" to "Bottom Line"

Against the backdrop of "15th Five-Year Plan" water quality improvement and efficiency enhancement, the market narrative for intelligent retrofitting of wastewater treatment plants is shifting — no longer about showcase "digital twin dashboards," but about operational ledgers that quantify "how much chemical is reduced, how much electricity is saved." This is precisely the significance of the Shaoxing Keqiao project: it uses six months of real operational data to answer the core question of "whether AI in wastewater treatment plants is truly worth it."

• Quantifiable cost reduction and efficiency gains — Intelligent chemical dosing and precision aeration convert the invisible "value of AI" into visible cost savings, strengthening owners' confidence in retrofitting;
• Integrated hardware-software is the key — Only the closed loop of "robotic detection + AI model + automated control execution" can deliver genuine quality improvement and efficiency gains;
• Targeting the existing market — For the vast number of small and medium-sized and aging wastewater treatment plants in urgent need of cost reduction, such lightweight, fast-return intelligent retrofitting solutions have broad prospects for deployment.

For enterprises deeply engaged in wastewater treatment and reclaimed water reuse, seizing the trend of "intelligent cost reduction + refined operations and maintenance" and delivering quantifiable, replicable smart retrofitting solutions to customers will be the core competitive focus in the existing market.

About TIANYI TECH: TIANYI LIMITED has long been dedicated to tracking global frontiers in water environment governance and water resource recycling, with deep expertise in technology intelligence and industrial services for wastewater treatment and reclaimed water reuse. We are committed to providing clients and industry partners with timely, professional industry insights and solution references.