Embracing AI for better water

In southern Alberta, every drop of water is precious. With a growing population of roughly 300,000, combined with extensive irrigation, water is a valuable commodity in the region.

Tyler Bennett learned this lesson early growing up on a farm in the region, planting and harvesting crops. He also learned the importance of making efficient decisions, to conserve farming inputs like fertilizer and chemicals for cost savings but also to nurture crops. This isn’t a farming story, however, as Tyler’s journey would lead him to the civil engineering program at the  University of Alberta. After he completed his undergraduate degree, Tyler returned to southern Alberta to work in consulting, designing and constructing water and wastewater treatment and conveyance infrastructure. After completing a major process project at the Lethbridge water treatment plant, he began working there as the plant engineer. Those early lessons from farming still resonated with him along with a sense of curiosity; was there a way to improve the efficiency of water treatment?

Turns out, the answer was yes and today, Tyler is the founder of Coagtech, a company using advanced machine learning and artificial intelligence applications to help water treatment operators and plants make decisions about treatment. The company name is a combination of the chemical treatment process for water called coagulation and technology. Through technical and operational knowledge, Tyler created an artificial intelligence modeling system that allowed the plant to reduce the amount of chemicals used in water treatment by approximately 20 per cent, saving the plant money and also helping it earn the award for the ‘best tasting water’ two years in a row in a regional competition.

Tyler Bennett, Founder of Coagtech. 

Tyler, however, is quick to say his journey towards being a tech entrepreneur wouldn’t have happened without access to the many support systems set up to help develop and grow entrepreneurs in the region.

One of those support systems is the Regional Innovation Network of Southern Alberta (RINSA), powered by Alberta Innovates and the advice and help from Technology Development Advisor Brandy Old.

“The support I have received through Brandy and RINSA advisors, it’s been excellent. They have connected me with the right intellectual property contacts, provided guidance on early hiring decisions, and been consistent resources that I have reached out to frequently over the last two years since founding Coagtech,” says Tyler.

Brandy says she saw the potential of what Tyler was building early on. As a Technology Development Advisor, Brandy’s role is to help budding entrepreneurs connect with resources that can help them and coach them about early business decisions.

“As we see more volatile weather, his technology is helping operators treat water. AI can predict what will happen in the water after storms or other events.

There’s a need for this in our communities,” she says. “RINSA guided me to a technical advisor who has proven to be an invaluable technical resource in supporting the software development. Coagtech leveraged student hires for some of our product development work and the advisor has provided frequent, helpful feedback for their work, acting not only as a mentor for me but also for my employees. His advice has helped shape the growth of the company and saved me from making more than a few business mistakes,” says Tyler.

Across Canada, there are countless municipalities facing the challenge of aging treatment plants, senior operators retiring and cost pressures. It’s a sector ripe for innovation and today Tyler is busy developing and deploying solutions to help operators treat water better.

Coagtech is a growing southern Alberta success story, backed by a network designed to support innovation.