AI, Machine Learning and Digital Twin Applications in Water

Dear Colleagues,

The application and integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML) tools, and Digital Twin (DT) technologies are revolutionizing the wide and complex field of sustainable, long-term water resource management. These tools and technologies are enabling the development and application of efficient and reliable methodologies that are applicable to resource optimization, sustainability, infrastructure resilience, the management of natural disasters, the detection and remediation of contamination, the operation of reservoir systems, and the collection of remote data through smart sensors for optimal real-time resource management. The collection of remote data via UAVs is also able to address various real-world issues such as water table detection, contamination in surface water bodies, the management of aquatic habitats, the management of coastal aquifers, wetlands, efficient and water sensitive irrigation planning, and the prediction and minimization of the impact of tsunamis on surface and subsurface water bodies through AI and ML. Modelling the quality of water at a regional scale without performing costly field measurements or predicting impending droughts and floods represent additional examples. The virtual representation of different components of the water resource system and their integration utilizing smart sensors and automated controls within a Digital Twin (DT) framework also represent advancements in the application of remote sensing, smart sensors, IOT and feedback information. Ensembles of ML-based surrogate models, which are particularly useful in linked simulation and optimization-based decision models, are another rapidly growing area of application.

The development and utilization of innovative digital platforms that incorporate these tools and technologies for different spatial and temporal scales is rapidly gaining momentum. This Special Issue is dedicated to the field of water resource management, including the management of surface and subsurface water, and quantity and quality. It will also serve as a pivotal platform for the dissemination of cutting-edge research and practical applications.

This Special Issue will cover diverse topics related to water management by focusing on both theoretical advancements and real-world deployments that are relevant to digital platforms. This Special Issue will aim to bridge the gap between research and application.

This Special Issue encourges researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers to provide further insights into the challenges and opportunities of adopting these technologies. It will emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration, featuring contributions from hydrologists, data scientists, hydrogeologists, and engineers. Peer-reviewed articles, case studies, and reviews will ensure the dissemination of high-quality, impactful content. By fostering new ideas, dialogue and innovation, this Special Issue aims to catalyze progress in the sustainable and intelligent management of water resources, aligning with global goals to address water security, resiliency, and sustainability.

Dr. Bithin Datta
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Water is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.