专家系统是一种新兴技术，对水行业有潜在的好处。基于计算机的专家系统旨在模拟一位或多位专家就某个问题或领域提供的建议和知识。回顾了组成专家系统的基本要素和典型系统的开发方法。一个简单的例子将这种系统与水处理厂的运行联系起来。审查了可用于专家系统开发的工具（软件），并提出了评估水利设施运行和管理中最可能应用领域的程序基础。包括49个参考文献、表格、图表。

Expert systems are an emerging technology that has potential benefit to the water industry. An computer-based expert system is designed to simulate the advice and knowledge that an expert or experts provide about a problem or domain. The basic elements that comprise an expert system and the method of development of typical systems are reviewed. A simple example relates such a system to the operation of a water treatment plant. The tools (software) available for expert-system development are reviewed, and a procedural basis for evaluating the most likely application areas within water utility operation and management is presented. Includes 49 references, tables, figures.