Making waves: A conceptual framework exploring how large language model-based multi-agent systems could reshape water engineering

“Large Language Model-based Multi-Agents (LLM-MAs) are emerging systems that manage complex tasks with specialized and coordinated agents. In this paper, we present new perspectives on the integration of LLM-MA systems into enhancing water engineering practices. Water engineering typically involves data integration, analysis, modeling, decision-making, and cross-disciplinary collaboration, which often present significant difficulties. To address these domain-specific complexities, we explore how LLM-MA systems can support advanced operations in water engineering and facilitate them. By pointing out the linguistic capabilities of LLMs and the modular, scalable, and collaborative architecture of LLM-MA systems, we investigate the role of intelligent agents in enabling timely, adaptive, and traceable solutions. Various practical applications were identified, e.g., LLM-MA for pressure drop detection in water distribution networks, flood management, or in their role as potential negotiating agents to find a balanced solution considering differing goals. Our investigation highlights both the capabilities and limitations of LLM-MAs in water engineering and proposes practical recommendations for their effective implementation within the field. This study seeks to develop a foundational framework for understanding how LLM-MAs can shape the future of water engineering processes.”

(Citation: Hosseini, S.H., Zolghadr-Asli, B., Tenkanen, H., et.al. – Making waves: A conceptual framework exploring how large language model-based multi-agent systems could reshape water engineering – Water Research 291(2026)125157 – https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2025.125157 – (Open Access))

© 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons CC-BY license