An Ensemble Data-Driven Approach for Enhanced Short-Term Water Demand Forecasting in Urban Areas

This study introduces an innovative ensemble data-driven model designed for short-term water demand forecasting within urban areas. By synergistically combining three distinct machine learning approaches—NHiTS, XGBoost regression, and a multi-head 1D convolutional neural network—our model enhances forecasting accuracy and reliability. This integration not only leverages the unique strengths of each method but also compensates for their individual weaknesses, resulting in a robust solution for predicting urban water demand. Tested against the Battle of Water Demand Forecasting dataset (WDSA-CCWI-2024), our ensemble model demonstrates superior performance, offering a promising tool for efficient water resource management and decision making.