Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner Revolutionizes Sewer Inspections with Artificial Intelligence

Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash announced a new partnership with SewerAI, a California company that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to transform the way sewer infrastructure inspections are conducted. This technology allows Oakland County to harness the power of artificial intelligence to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of sewer maintenance.

Previously, sewer maintenance crews reported any irregularities or defects in a pipe’s interior by manually inspecting videos captured by closed-circuit television. Now, those videos are uploaded to SewerAI which uses its software to assess the pipe’s condition and identify abnormalities.

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$1.3 Million Oakland County Stormwater Improvement Project Set In Pontiac

Earlier this year, Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash began the Norton Street Innovation stormwater improvement project in Pontiac. This project will improve water quality and create a gathering space for the community to enjoy. The $1.3 million project is being funded by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy Clean Water State Revolving Fund and the American Rescue Plan with 100% loan forgiveness.

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Oakland County Groundskeepers Weed Out Invasive Plants on Campus

When weeds run amok in lawns, gardens, or walkways, gardeners usually only have two options to remove them: by hand or herbicide. They could choose to manually remove them, but that process is strenuous and often backbreaking. On the other hand, if gardeners choose herbicides, they could unknowingly introduce toxic chemicals to waterways and aquatic life as well as butterflies, bees and earthworms, especially if used incorrectly.

There is a third option though – steam. In conjunction with Oakland County’s Environmental Sustainability Strategic Goal, landscaping services use steam to remove weeds that sprout throughout the campus grounds, including on lawns, pavement gaps, and garden beds. It’s the same kind of steam you’d use at home to iron a shirt or cook vegetables but at hotter temperatures.

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Oakland County Water Resources Receives Funding for Stormwater Improvement Project

Earlier this month, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) awarded the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner’s Office a $95,000 grant for a green infrastructure project at the George W. Kuhn Retention Treatment Basin in Madison Heights. The project focuses on transforming the facility’s existing turf grass into native growth zones and incorporating a large rain garden to collect stormwater runoff.

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