Arcadis Launches AI for Water Innovation Pilots with NYC DEP Stormwater Project

Arcadis has initiated the next phase of its AI for Water Innovation Challenge, transitioning five crowd-sourced concepts into real-world pilots with utility and regulatory partners. The program's first exploratory project is a six-month collaboration with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP) to test AI-assisted tools in stormwater permitting reviews. This initiative is significant for the water sector as it seeks to validate how artificial intelligence can enhance regulatory efficiency and climate resilience while maintaining human oversight.

Arcadis has commenced the next phase of its AI for Water Innovation Challenge, moving five internally crowd-sourced concepts into seed-funded pilots with client partners. A primary focus of this phase is a six-month exploratory pilot with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP) aimed at enhancing stormwater permitting reviews. This project specifically targets the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) review process, utilizing AI-assisted tools to identify inconsistencies and non-compliance while ensuring that final professional judgment remains with NYC DEP staff.

The pilot supports New York City’s Unified Stormwater Rule and its broader objectives for climate resilience and data-driven modernization. Early work on the initiative involves mapping permitting workflows and assessing the accuracy of various AI platforms in performing 'completeness' and 'correctness' checks. According to Arcadis CEO Heather Polinsky, the goal is to apply AI responsibly to create long-term economic value and operational efficiency. The findings from this narrow-scope exercise will inform the agency's future considerations for adopting AI-assisted tools in regulatory contexts.

This initiative is part of a larger program that saw more than 40 ideas submitted in 2025, with five selected based on their feasibility and relevance to utility needs. Arcadis expects to launch additional pilots with other client partners starting in 2026 to generate practical evidence for AI adoption across the water sector. By pairing innovation directly with operational challenges, the program seeks to move beyond mere experimentation to establish clear investment cases for digital transformation in water utilities and public agencies.