Smart ​Water ​Management ​System Debuts ​In Belgium

Flanders, the Dutch-speaking northern region in Belgium, is kick-starting an intelligent water management system based on a network of connected sensors which is being coined as the internet of Water. Developed by Imec, these networked sensors will enable real-time information of water quality and water quantity, which could allow Flanders to address the risks of water inconvenience, water scarcity and water pollution it is facing.

Source: Imec

“This dense sensor network will provide much more insight into water quality such that users can anticipate the possible consequences of, for instance, a drought, which is now severe in West-Flanders,” said Marcel Zevenbergen, project leader at imec. “The massive amount of data will constantly improve the self-learning algorithms such that more effective water management can be achieved, despite the more erratic rainfall due to climate change.”

Recently, Flanders’ Minister-President Geert Bourgeois activated the first sensor near The Blankaart in Diksmuide. Imec’s sensor will have the ability to measure acidity and conductivity, while quantifying dissolved substances in water. While this sensor took years to create, there were many weathering challenges they encountered.

“Sensors immersed in water are always subjected to possible fouling and drift,” said Zevenbergen. “The biggest challenge was to miniaturize the sensor to 1 cm2 while not giving in on performance. “

Flanders hopes to use these sensors and interconnected water map to roll-out a large-scale permanent sensor network that can plot water reserves and monitor water demand continuously.

The network will consist of more than 1,000 wireless low-power sensors that will monitor the quality of soil water, groundwater, surface water and purified sewage water.

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Taxonomy

• Treatment
• Quality
• Technology
• Sensor Systems
• Water Quality
• Water Supply
• Internet of Things (IoT)