Application of AI for Water Quality Assessment in Intelligent Hydration Systems

Poma P.C.; Sánchez C.; Pareja-Achahui Á.; Monzon Rivera L.; Martínez Molina G.M. · Proceedings of the LACCEI international Multi-conference for Engineering, Education and Technology (2025) · DOI: 10.18687/laccei2025.1.1.1522

Resumen

This project, developed under a semi-experimental approach, evaluated the need for an additional physicochemical analysis of the Elkay ezH2O water fountains at a private university, using artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize decision-making and ensure water quality in an educational environment. In Peru, reliable access to basic services such as drinking water remains a challenge; within this context, the study explored how AI can enhance water management in educational institutions. Through systematic methodologies (PICO and PRISMA), key data from the literature were collected and analyzed. Additionally, bacterial colony growth was measured in two university water fountains, revealing an inverse correlation between usage frequency and microbial proliferation. Fountain 1, located near restroom facilities and with an approximate flow of 150 users per day, exhibited lower bacterial growth (3 relative units), possibly due to the constant flow of water and frequent cleanings. In contrast, Fountain 2, situated in a low-traffic area (~20 users per day), showed significantly higher microbial proliferation (8 relative units), suggesting that lower water turnover and less frequent maintenance favor bacterial development. It is important to note that these microbial levels exceeded the potability standards established by the World Health Organization (WHO). These findings highlight the importance of continuous use and cleaning practices for the microbiological quality of drinking water. The support of AI helped optimize work times in literature collection (~50% reduction), critical evaluation (~42%), and data synthesis (~57%), while maintaining the accuracy and consistency of the analyses. In summary, the results confirmed the need to carry out a complementary physicochemical analysis in both fountains, thereby strengthening water safety and management in educational environments.

Instituciones: Universidad Privada del Norte