AI:Liner - Reshaping sewer infrastructure for a resilient Europe.

Europe's sewer infrastructure comprises more than 3.2 million kilometres of pipelines, much of which is ageing rapidly. As these assets deteriorate, utilities face increasing risks of leaks, structural failures, service disruptions and growing maintenance backlogs.

A key challenge is that maintenance and rehabilitation planning often relies on fragmented, incomplete or outdated inspection data, limiting the ability of utilities to make informed investment decisions and prioritise interventions effectively.

AI:Liner: A Data-Driven Approach to Sewer Asset Management

AI:Liner is a European research and innovation project addressing the challenge of ageing sewer networks through advanced data-driven and AI-enabled asset management solutions.

The project's mission is to support utilities and municipalities in moving from reactive maintenance practices towards predictive and evidence-based decision-making. By combining advanced monitoring technologies with artificial intelligence, AI:Liner aims to reduce uncertainty, optimise maintenance investments and minimise risks to people and the environment.

The project delivers an integrated decision-support framework that connects monitoring, inspection, analysis and planning into a seamless asset management workflow.

Innovation from Monitoring to Investment Planning

AI:Liner advances sewer management by integrating multiple sources of information and innovative technologies, including:

• Monitoring through Earth observation, autonomous drones and acoustic sensing technologies.
• Artificial intelligence for data analysis, predictive modelling and decision support.
• Advanced knowledge on innovative rehabilitation techniques and next-generation materials.

Through these innovations, AI:Liner seeks to transform sewer asset management by:

• Reducing long-term operational and maintenance costs through predictive planning.
• Improving health and safety conditions for field operators and maintenance personnel.
• Promoting trustworthy and ethical AI governance for public infrastructure.
• Extending the lifespan of critical assets.
• Empowering utilities with more effective planning and investment tools.

Planetek's Role

Within AI:Liner, Planetek plays a key role in the integration, analysis and exploitation of geospatial data to support sewer network monitoring and decision-making processes.

Planetek contributes its Rheticus® Network Alert service, which provides advanced ground deformation monitoring capabilities based on satellite Earth Observation data. The service supports the identification of potential infrastructure issues and helps utilities prioritise inspections and maintenance activities.

Working closely with project partners, Planetek integrates satellite-derived information with drone observations and acoustic sensor data, contributing to the development of a comprehensive multi-source monitoring framework for sewer network assessment.

In addition, Planetek will investigate the application of vegetation anomaly analysis in a rural pilot area. This activity explores the relationship between vegetation stress patterns and underlying sewer network conditions, enabling the validation of innovative monitoring approaches through field observations and ground-truth verification.

A Multidisciplinary European Consortium

AI:Liner is implemented by a multidisciplinary European consortium and organised through a set of coordinated work packages covering technology development, applied research, pilot implementation, training and dissemination activities.

The project is coordinated by Kompetenzzentrum Wasser Berlin (KWB) and brings together leading research institutions, utilities, technology providers and innovation organisations from across Europe, including Leiden University, the University of Sheffield, the University of Twente, Eindhoven University of Technology, INSA Lyon, Berliner Wasserbetriebe (BWB), Canal de Isabel II (CI2), LOBA, the European Water Tech Accelerator, Planetek Italia and Hovering.

Real-World Validation and Impact

AI:Liner's solutions will be validated through pilot deployments in Berlin, in collaboration with Berliner Wasserbetriebe, and Madrid, in collaboration with Canal de Isabel II. These demonstration activities will ensure that the developed technologies are tested under real operational conditions and across diverse infrastructure contexts.

By supporting better asset management practices, AI:Liner will generate benefits for a wide range of stakeholders, from utility operators and maintenance teams to city authorities and policymakers, contributing to safer, more resilient and sustainable urban infrastructure across Europe.

Official website: https://ailiner.eu/

Funding Acknowledgement

AI:Liner has received funding from the European Union's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 101177951. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the granting authority. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.