AI adoption accelerates in underground infrastructure as SewerAI reports strong utility uptake
WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (UI) — Utilities and contractors are rapidly moving from curiosity to adoption of artificial intelligence in underground infrastructure inspections, according to a new market analysis released ahead of WEFTEC 2025.
The report highlights growing reliance on AI to manage aging wastewater systems, workforce shortages, and limited budgets, SewerAI announced.
The American Society of Civil Engineers’ 2025 Infrastructure Report Card gave U.S. wastewater systems a D+, pointing to a nearly $700 billion funding gap by 2033. At the same time, a Black & Veatch survey found 58% of utilities prioritize digital asset monitoring, though most admit they aren’t using existing data effectively.
Key findings from the study show more than two-thirds of organizations are evaluating or adopting AI for inspections. “It used to take 40–60 hours of watching video on 5k ft of pipe. Now, we can review in less than a day with SewerAI,” said a VP at a water infrastructure contracting firm.
Survey respondents ranked SewerAI highest among industry vendors for defect detection, ease of use, and AI capabilities, with 70% of non-customers planning to evaluate the platform. “SewerAI is easy to use, so user friendly. It’s something you can get used to quickly, and makes it easy for our field team to operate,” said a municipal engineer.
Retention rates also stood out, with 92% of adopters keeping SewerAI over the past year. Customers reported faster defect detection, prioritized repair plans, and annual savings in labor costs. “With SewerAI, we immediately receive a recommended execution plan with prioritized repairs, which means we no longer need to hire an engineering firm as an added step,” said a wastewater department head at a public utility.
“Utilities and contractors know they need to do more with less,” said Matthew Rosenthal, co-founder and CEO at SewerAI. “The future of underground infrastructure is built on better data and smarter decisions. SewerAI is leading that shift with superhuman speed and accuracy in defect detection, modern user experience, and seamless GIS and CMMS integrations.”
Industry analysts project spending on digital water solutions to rise more than 8% annually, with AI-driven inspection and asset management positioned at the center of modernization.
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