Webinar: Smart Sewers 2.0 - How the Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati is Delivering the Next Generation of Collection Systems Management

Learn how the Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati, Ohio (MSDGC) has raised the bar on operating their collection systems by maximizing existing assets and system data using real-time optimization technology. Experts will share lessons learned, and challenges overcome, nearly 20 years after the original consent decree solution to reduce sanitary sewer overflows.

Engineers originally estimated the cost to mitigate sanitary sewer overflows at over $3 Billion, an unacceptable burden on the community. By making the best use of one of the largest sensor networks in the world, MSDGC was able to unlock value from existing assets. With this, the utility delivered significant reductions in both the capital and operating costs of collecting and treating wastewater in compliance with environmental regulations.

"The expertise provided by Xylem’s team of data scientists and hydroinformatics engineers was instrumental in ensuring we could successfully harness our data to significantly improve operational performance in a cost-effective manner.”

-Matthew Van Doren, Supervising Engineer for the Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati

Using digital twin technology and real-time decision support systems, the community has benefited from a solution that increases both performance and capacity utilization. Hear how the MSDGC team and their partners at Xylem are taking advantage of their smart sewer experience and planning for the future through innovative new uses of data and breakthrough technologies.  

Speakers:

Matthew Van Doren
Supervising Engineer
Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati

Mr. Matthew Van Doren earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Cincinnati in 2006. He has 15 years of experience in collection system planning, hydraulic modeling, flow monitoring, operations and maintenance. Since 2020, Matthew has been with the Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati where he manages the Operational Optimization program. Matthew is a registered professional engineer in the state of Ohio and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. 

Caleb Buahin, PhD
Hydroinformatics Engineer
Xylem

Dr. Caleb Buahin is a Hydroinformatics Engineer in Xylem's Decision Intelligence Solutions group specializing in Wastewater Network Optimization solutions. Caleb's specialty involves using data and processed-based models to improve digital twins of water and wastewater systems. He is passionate about working collaboratively with utilities to develop novel and cost-effective solutions to both age-old and emerging challenges.

In his free time, Caleb contributes to several open-source water systems modeling software projects including the HydroCouple component-based modeling project and the Open Water Analytics-PySWMM (Python Programming Interface to Stormwater Management Model) project. Caleb has a master’s degree from Brigham Young University and a doctorate from Utah State University in Civil Engineering.

William Knight, PE
Project Manager
Xylem

William arrived on the engineering scene by way of liberal arts. His first undergrad degree in English prepared him for the detailed communications required to manage complex engineering projects. After completing his undergrad in Civil Engineering, he began working as an engineer and, eventually, project manager on a diverse set of engineering projects. During his graduate work, William coupled his daily engineering experience with mathematical optimization, GIS data management, and utility and infrastructure management. Currently, William enjoys serving as a project manager, applying his diverse experience to the challenge of scaling the newest technologies in infrastructure analytics for our sophisticated and data-driven clients.

Nicole Pasch - Moderator
Client Solutions Manager
Xylem

Nicole Pasch partners with utilities in the Great Lakes region to find digital solutions to the most pressing of utility challenges. Prior to Xylem, Nicole worked for the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan for 14 years and completed her tenure there in the role of Acting Assistant Environmental Services Manager over the areas of wastewater, stormwater, air quality, energy, lighting, and communications. Nicole’s work inside the utility was focused on driving an integrated, advanced and innovative utility, by utilizing real-time digital solutions to advance the way the utility worked today and into the future, under the vision that a connected utility builds a connected community.  Nicole holds an MBA from Cornerstone University and a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Biology and Zoology from Michigan State University.