New Sewer Overflow Detection Technology

Fujitsu Develops Technology for Low-cost Detection of Potential Sewer System Overflows

Fujitsu Laboratories announced that it has developed technology that uses ICT for low-cost detection of early signs of sewer system overflows in order to mitigate damage in cities stemming from torrential downpours. To equip manholes with sensors that can measure water levels in order to accurately detect early signs of overflows, it is necessary to deploy sensors throughout the sewer line infrastructure. However, because of the need for dedicated circuits and power sources as well as sensors with wireless connections, batteries may need to be replaced, making the operating costs for each sensor expensive, and making it difficult to deploy sensors across a wide area.

Fujitsu Laboratories has now developed a technology for determining the locations and number of manholes wheresensorsshould be installed, based on an analysis of the time required for water to flow from upstream pipes to downstream locations in accordance with land topography and the shape and length of sewer pipes, which makes it possible to track and predict the overall flow through a sewer system using only about one-fifth as many sensors. Furthermore, taking into consideration changes in measured water levels, Fujitsu Laboratories has developed technology that optimally controls measurement parameters as well as technology that reduces power consumption by approximately 70% while maintaining measurement accuracy that is appropriate to prevailing circumstances. This makes it possible to operate sensors using only solar cells or other renewable forms of energy, reducing the per-unit operating cost by 90% compared to previous systems. By applying these technologies, cities can mitigate damage from sewer system overflows.

Background

In recent years, cities have incurred numerous instances of flood damage from intense, localized rainfalls. While there are growing expectations in the use of ICT to monitor sewer water levels in real time to prevent such damage (Figure 1), one problem has been the costs required to install and operate the sensors. While costs can be reduced by using fewer sensors and running them on less power, this would sacrifice measurement accuracy as well as stability and reliability.

Source: Phys.org

Media

Taxonomy

• Technology
• Solutions
• Infrastructure