IoT Devices Archives - Aqua Analytics

Challenge

A water utility in Regional Victoria, experiencing significant population growth within its service area, recognised the need to proactively plan for future water demands and ensure continued reliable service.

Accurate hydraulic modelling is crucial for effective network planning, but the utility’s existing model requires calibration with real-world data to ensure its accuracy and predictive capabilities. Collecting this data across a vast network, especially during the high-demand summer months, presented logistical and resource challenges.

Solution

Following a competitive selection process, Aqua Analytics was engaged to conduct a comprehensive pressure logging campaign to support the utility’s hydraulic model calibration efforts. Leveraging their extensive experience in water network monitoring and a large fleet of IoT pressure loggers, Aqua Analytics offered a turnkey solution to address the utility’s needs.

Our methodology included:

Strategic Planning: Aqua Analytics collaborated with the utility to develop a strategic plan for deploying 56 pressure loggers across the network. This involved identifying optimal locations to capture representative pressure data and ensure comprehensive coverage.
Logger Deployment: Our skilled technicians deployed a combination of Ovarro XiLog and Gutermann ZoneLog devices, utilising their expertise to ensure secure and reliable installations.
Logger Survey and Elevation Data: To ensure the accuracy of the pressure data and its correlation with the hydraulic model, Aqua Analytics conducted precise surveying and elevation measurements at each logger location. This process utilised high-precision GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) equipment, capable of achieving centimeter-level accuracy. The precise elevation data ensured that the pressure readings were correctly referenced within the hydraulic model.
Data Acquisition and Management: The IoT pressure loggers continuously monitored and transmitted pressure data via cellular networks, providing real-time insights into the network's hydraulic behavior. Aqua Analytics managed all aspects of data acquisition, storage, and quality control.
Comprehensive Reporting: Upon completion of the 10-week monitoring period, Aqua Analytics delivered a comprehensive report to the utility, including detailed pressure data, analysis, and visualisations.

Project Outcomes

High-Quality Data: The project provided the utility with reliable, high-resolution pressure data, essential for accurate hydraulic model calibration. By leveraging high-quality IoT devices, that utilise 4G, NB-IoT and LTE Cat-M1, we were able to deploy a range of sensor configurations that provided regular data feeds to ensure insights could be obtained promptly throughout the project.
Enhanced Model Accuracy: The calibrated model enabled the utility to make informed decisions regarding future infrastructure upgrades, capacity planning, and operational adjustments to meet the demands of a growing population.
Improved Network Efficiency: The insights gained from the pressure logging campaign helped the utility optimise network performance, reduce water loss, and ensure a sustainable water supply.

Conclusion

Aqua Analytics’ pressure logging expertise and comprehensive service offering were crucial in supporting the utility’s hydraulic model calibration efforts.

By providing reliable data and seamless project management, Aqua Analytics empowered the utility to proactively plan for future water demands, ensuring a resilient and efficient water network for years to come.

Our full-service approach to such projects ensures seamless delivery to clients and their consultants.

If you require pressure logging or assistance with hydraulic model calibration in Australia or New Zealand, contact us today.

Challenge

The water utility faced persistent challenges with a problematic District Metered Area (DMA) characterised by high water demand, heavy traffic, and frequent leak occurrences. Traditional leak detection methods proved inefficient and costly due to the difficult environment and the need for repeated site visits to collect data. The utility sought a proactive, real-time solution to gain better control over water loss and improve operational efficiency.

Solution

Aqua Analytics devised a strategic approach to address the DMA’s challenges in collaboration with the water utility. This involved:

NB-IoT Acoustic Loggers: Aqua Analytics deployed 30 acoustic loggers strategically throughout the DMA at 200-300 meter spacings. These loggers transmit data daily using the Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) spectrum, eliminating the need for costly and time-consuming manual data collection.
Optimised Leak Detection Window: The loggers were programmed to actively listen for leaks between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m., with minimal water demand and reduced environmental noise, ensuring optimal leak detection sensitivity due to high network pressure.
Real-Time Data and Alerts: The loggers transmitted leak data daily at 5 am, giving the utility real-time insights into the DMA's performance. This enabled proactive leak identification and prioritisation of repairs.
Correlation and Pinpointing: The loggers' correlation capabilities allowed Aqua Analytics to pinpoint leak locations remotely with high accuracy, facilitating the direct dispatch of repair crews to diggable locations and minimising costs related to logger data collection or pinpointing activities.

Results

100% Data Reliability: The NB-IoT technology ensured consistent and reliable data transmission from all 30 loggers over 90 days.
Multiple Leaks Identified: The loggers detected a wide range of leaks, including a large burst service, several customer-side leaks, a burst main, and a small leak that gradually increased.
Enhanced Network Intelligence: The continuous monitoring provided by the loggers offered the utility an unprecedented level of insight into their network's performance, enabling proactive leak management and improved operational efficiency.
Detection Beyond DMA Boundaries: The loggers even detected a burst main just outside the DMA and a subsequent issue with a compromised boundary valve, highlighting the system's extended reach and effectiveness.

Client Benefits

Significant Water Loss Reduction: The prompt identification and repair of numerous leaks resulted in substantial water savings by reducing leak run times.
Improved Operational Efficiency: The real-time data and accurate leak pinpointing allowed for faster repairs and minimised disruption to the high-demand area.
Proactive Asset Management: The data collected from the loggers informed the utility's asset management strategies, enabling them to prioritise maintenance and upgrades for optimal network performance.
Scalability and Cost-Effectiveness: The utility's success in the initial project led to its expansion of the logger program, demonstrating the solution's scalability and cost-effectiveness.

Conclusion

Aqua Analytics’ innovative use of NB-IoT acoustic loggers revolutionised leak detection for the water utility. The project significantly reduced water loss and improved network efficiency by providing real-time data, accurate leak pinpointing, and actionable insights. It empowered the utility with a proactive approach to asset management. The success of this project highlights the potential of advanced technologies to transform how water utilities monitor and manage their infrastructure, ensuring a more reliable and sustainable water supply for their communities.