Comparative Analysis of Machine Learning Techniques for Water Consumption Prediction: A Case Study from Kocaeli Province

This study presents a comparative analysis of various Machine Learning (ML) techniques for predicting water consumption using a comprehensive dataset from Kocaeli Province, Turkey. Accurate prediction of water consumption is crucial for effective water resource management and planning, especially considering the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on water usage patterns. A total of four ML models, Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machines (SVM), and Gradient Boosting Machines (GBM), were evaluated. Additionally, optimization techniques such as Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and the Second-Order Optimization (SOO) Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) algorithm were employed to enhance the performance of the ML models. These models incorporate historical data from previous months to enhance model accuracy and generalizability, allowing for robust predictions that account for both short-term fluctuations and long-term trends. The performance of each model was assessed using cross-validation. The R² and correlation values obtained in this study for the best-performing models are highlighted in the results section. For instance, the GBM model achieved an R² value of 0.881, indicating a strong capability in capturing the underlying patterns in the data. This study is one of the first to conduct a comprehensive analysis of water consumption prediction using machine learning algorithms on a large-scale dataset of 5000 subscribers, including the unique conditions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The results highlight the strengths and limitations of each technique, providing insights into their applicability for water consumption prediction. This study aims to enhance the understanding of ML applications in water management and offers practical recommendations for future research and implementation.