Jim Uber

About Jim Uber

Expert in hydraulic modeling and mathematical optimization technologies used to enable and deploy digital twins at drinking water utilities. Digital twins support the operational management of distribution systems, helping water utility operators achieve hydraulic and water quality objectives while adapting to changes in operations and water use.I was a primary driver, with Sam Hatchett, in the development of software technologies for real-time hydraulic models - what is now called a \"digital twin.\" Together with Rob Janke at the USEPA, we developed the EPANET real-time extension, EPANET-RTX. Later we formed CitiLogics with Stu Hooper, and executed on a plan to make real-time hydraulic models the norm for water utilities. While that goal remains a work-in-progress, the logic behind it is still valid - it makes little sense to invest greatly in hydraulic models for engineering/planning, and scada systems for operations, without integrating them for the benefit of both planners and operators. CitiLogics\' initial focus was to build a scalable architecture for real-time model deployment, focused on supporting the three necessary building blocks: data access, data transformation, and simulation forecasts. This led to novel configuration tools for real-time modeling that are unique in the industry to this day. During our run at CitiLogics, we configured and tested real-time models at 15 US water utilities, including Greater Cincinnati water works, Nashville metro water services, Hillsborough (FL) water resources department, and Denver water. CitiLogics was acquired by Xylem in 2018, and Sam and I have developed a great team to continue working on real-time modeling technologies, and figuring out the hard parts of how to deploy with greater reliability and lower costs. Xylem now has four US utilities using digital twins based on EPANET-RTX with a host of coordinated digital services, and I am proud to have figured prominently in securing each of those sales, and helping to ensure successful project delivery. The current market for these solutions is tough, but the fundamentals on the value proposition remain solid. Over the past year, I spearheaded the development of real-time services to characterize and trend the degradation in flow capacity and efficiency for individual pumps, using typical scada data streams found at pump facilities. These services will soon drive adoption of new products with clear maintenance and operations use cases, and that will be an on-ramp for utilities wanting to get started in the digital transformation.

Experience

1. Principal Data Scientist

   Xylem

   Aug 2024 — Present · Cincinnati, OH, US

   Helping guide teams to build complex solutions for optimizing drinking water networks and pumping facilities. Working with clients to ensure solutions meet expectations for reliability and value.

Education

• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

  Ph.D., Environmental Engineering

  1985 — 1988

• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

  M.S., Environmental Engineering

  1983 — 1985

• Bradley University

  B.S., Civil Engineering

  1978 — 1983

Skills

• Modeling
• Engineering
• Project Planning
• Water Resources
• Water Management
• Geographic Information Systems (Gis)
• Sustainability
• Water Resource Management
• Environmental Engineering
• Wastewater Treatment
• Hydrology
• Water
• Project Management
• Groundwater
• Analysis
• Research
• Stormwater Management
• Environmental Science
• Simulations
• Arcgis
• Environmental Awareness
• Water Quality
• Gis
• Water Treatment