Regulatory Frameworks and Policy Recommendations for AI Enabled Wastewater Treatment

Water, sanitation, and hygiene access is the most fundamental human need for health and well-being. The UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 is about “Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all” and now recognized as human right. There are currently over 4.2 billion people not having safe sanitation access and over 2.2 billion people without access to safe drinking water. As a result of Climate Change natural disasters like droughts and floods has become more frequent. Eighty percent of the world’s wastewater is simply released back into nature. Wastewater management encompasses many tasks with the overarching goal of fostering efficient and ethical water usage and its treatment. AI has shown potential use in the field of vehicular production, banking, finance, agriculture, exploration of space, and AI creativity. Due to its obvious benefits in terms of efficiency, speed, and autonomy—all of which minimize the need for human intervention—artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being incorporated into the wastewater treatment sector. For ensuring sustainable management of wastewater UNEP is determined to focus on global action which requires collaboration amongst UN and Non-UN countries. Both developed and developing countries are to adopt and effectively implement strict regulations, Infrastructure and finance for wastewater management. The present study highlights the issues and challenges to ensure the safe and effective deployment of artificial intelligence in this critical sector. AI also raises legal, ethical, environmental, and privacy concerns which are required to be addressed globally.