What are the best Water Tech for Smart Cities

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I'm looking for innovative solutions in water use, recycling, waste etc which could be adopted in developing a smart water city.

These innovations would be implemented into a new 2,000 smart homes. We are implementing in Garden Village/city in the North East of England for homes, retail and commercial buildings, including the urban environment and infrastructure. 

Which technologies do you suggest as most efficient, used and proven to be the best? 

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52 Answers

  2. Hello Charles,

    your question is very generic. Concerning water quality monitoring I can suggest the following - we at Optiqua have an online monitoring solution (Optiqua EventLab) which continuously watches over the quality of drinking water and which is used by various water utilities around the globe. EventLab is designed for integration into smart water solutions (i.e. it uses smart algorithms and has a multitude of interfacing options to connect to other systems and solutions). Take a look on our website for more information: www.optiqua.com

     

    1 Comment

  3. Implement princip "Zero Rainwater Runoff" (www.vow4voices.org) 

  4. My new innovative technological solution for drinking water saveing systems from invisible leakage and contamination control is used for each house holds and other tap water users.It's pre-water leakage and contamination control system and no need other professional support It's daily follow up system it's device which named (Water save one) it can avoid the previous wasting of and unnecessary billing,improving society health,treatment and meditation children's death etc.

    It can keep building damage and can avoid unnecessary costs for maintenance etc.

    So this technology is best for smart city,

    It's the technological solution which can participate all tap water users with water suppliers and highly supportive for Global Drinking Water Challenges,

  5. My new innovative technological solution for drinking water saveing systems from invisible leakage and contamination control is used for each house holds and other tap water users.It's pre-water leakage and contamination control system and no need other professional support It's daily follow up system it's device which named (Water save one) it can avoid the previous wasting of and unnecessary billing,improving society health,treatment and meditation children's death etc.

    It can keep building damage and can avoid unnecessary costs for maintenance etc.

    So this technology is best for smart city,

    It's the technological solution which can participate all tap water users with water suppliers and highly supportive for Global Drinking Water Challenges,

  6. My new innovative technological solution for drinking water saveing systems from invisible leakage and contamination control is used for each house holds and other tap water users.It's pre-water leakage and contamination control system and no need other professional support It's daily follow up system it's device which named (Water save one) it can avoid the previous wasting of and unnecessary billing,improving society health,treatment and meditation children's death etc.

    It can keep building damage and can avoid unnecessary costs for maintenance etc.

    So this technology is best for smart city,

    It's the technological solution which can participate all tap water users with water suppliers and highly supportive for Global Drinking Water Challenges,

  7. My new innovative technological solution for drinking water saveing systems from invisible leakage and contamination control is used for each house holds and other tap water users.It's pre-water leakage and contamination control system and no need other professional support It's daily follow up system it's device which named (Water save one) it can avoid the previous wasting of and unnecessary billing,improving society health,treatment and meditation children's death etc.

    It can keep building damage and can avoid unnecessary costs for maintenance etc.

    So this technology is best for smart city,

    It's the technological solution which can participate all tap water users with water suppliers and highly supportive for Global Drinking Water Challenges,

  10. Dear Charles, maybe you should have a look at a "smart city" concept which is being implemented in the Netherlands in Eindhoven? Please visit their site at http://www.strijp-s.nl/en/home for a general feeling. Water will be also be treated and reused in a very sustainable manner. Of course ready to tell more about it in case you are interested.

  11. For me, Solar Desalination and /or Filtration using variable pore structure micro filters (VPMF) are at the forefront of technology advances merely by its low operating cost and ease of use. VPMF utilizes nylon filter elements that can withstand the harshest environment except high temp. Solar Desal utilizes sun energy to heat the water to evaporate and collect the pure water produced. Smart it is because when there's no more power, one do not have to die of thirst for lack of water to drink. Very basic and primal.

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  15. Hi Charles,

    My name is Eduardo Pasalodos and am representing the company and Solution WATENER. We have designed a Smart Water Management Solution for WATER NETWORKS Management. This Solution should be an ideal component for improving operational efficiency and management of water netwroks within the water-energy nexus in a SMART CITY Project. Please visit www.watener.com or email me to eps@watener.com

    AS a brief summary, our approach take into consideration every existing infrastructure and/or technology that the water-network got and integrate all of them in a whole platform in order to help decision makers to take the most appropiate decisions with visualization (infrastructures within a GIS), monitoring (with all kind of events and alarms) . It includes a Water demand forecast and use Smart tools based on Pattern Recognition that in conjuction with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, help operators to train future different scenarios of daily operations. Dashboards and KPI are also designed for different levels of interaction (Business,  Management, Operator and public).

    1 Comment

    1. Thanks Eduardo. Sounds very interesting and possible synergy with Vantage Point Technologies real time remote condition monitoring technology. www.vptl.co.uk.
      Will be in touch.
      Cheers

      1 Comment reply

      1. The would be perfect. We are also looking for partners in different regions and countries and perhaps, this could be a way to collaborate of your interest applying our sinergies with your Technology and our Solution. I look forward to hearing from you soon eps@watener.com

  16. Dear Mr. Charles 

    My self Ashish Verma working as a Assistant Manager in Arya water Technologies, New Delhi we provide complete end to end solution for water and waste water treatment; for waste water recycling we have an very advance and patented technology which knows as LFNF it provide consistent 90% recovery, it required very low footprint as compare to convention technology, it doesn't require any type pre treatment system like UF/MF, It doesn't have any feed parameters limitation. It require low power consumption. I hope your search will be completed after going through about our technology.

    Regards

    Ashish Verma 

    9540110203

    vicky.env@gmail.com

    1 Comment

  17. Dear Mr. Charles 

    My self Ashish Verma working as a Assistant Manager in Arya water Technologies, New Delhi we provide complete end to end solution for water and waste water treatment; for waste water recycling we have an very advance and patented technology which knows as LFNF it provide consistent 90% recovery, it required very low footprint as compare to convention technology, it doesn't require any type pre treatment system like UF/MF, It doesn't have any feed parameters limitation. It require low power consumption. I hope your search will be completed after going through about our technology.

    Regards

    Ashish Verma 

    9540110203

    vicky.env@gmail.com

  18. Dear Mr. Charles 

    My self Ashish Verma working as a Assistant Manager in Arya water Technologies, New Delhi we provide complete end to end solution for water and waste water treatment; for waste water recycling we have an very advance and patented technology which knows as LFNF it provide consistent 90% recovery, it required very low footprint as compare to convention technology, it doesn't require any type pre treatment system like UF/MF, It doesn't have any feed parameters limitation. It require low power consumption. I hope your search will be completed after going through about our technology.

    Regards

    Ashish Verma 

    9540110203

    vicky.env@gmail.com

  19. i will answer in a general for all cit ies since water is alw ays going to be in short supply.

    1. rainwater  harvesting to collect all rainwater & storing into the ground for reuse as grey water in toilets other than the one household drinking water tap in the kitchen.

    2. using storm  water by installing a sump filter every 2 kms along the slope of the storm water pipes so the water after simple filteration by gravel & sand seeps into the ground through a 5 inch diameter & 5 foot long pipe inserted into the ground to raise groundwater levels in the area.

     

  20. Hi Charles.

    Sounds like an exciting project.

    I think water has lots of potential if it's viewed holistically and cyclically. My guess is that each of your 2,000 homes will be designed for families and the way water might be used in them will be a low priority. As at least 60% of future water use is determined on the drawing board, I'd advise you to change that and review all bathroom, utility and kitchen specifications. Then consider how these systems might integrate with external rain water harvesting and brown water recycling to maybe even supply a community aquaponics facility... to grow fresh food locally....

    Gardens are often high water areas too, so plan your green spaces with care. Make sure they absorb high rainfall and can withstand dry periods too by choosing specific varieties in your landscaping and making sure all planted areas are well mulched.

    Best of luck. 

  21. I guess pricing of water is still one of the smartes things to do: everything cheap will lead to waste. So putting the price up and make people aware of water use and costs will result in action. there are a lot of ways now to reduce wateruse, and monitor this (on your smart device). Also flushing the toilet with rain water, stored, recycling, local waste water treatment and disconnecting from the sewer... all helps. So best Smart tech is activating the homo calculus urbanus....

  23. Hi Charles!

    Our company proposes an innovative tool to improve the communication between water managers and citizens. The application is cloud-based, where the citizens have access to geolocalized information on water: drinking water quality in their sector, display on a map of all events affecting water quality (construction, flush, use of fire hydrants, etc.) and alerts or advisories. All these are presented with educational content to better understand and use water. The same platform also serves to collect citizens' (geolocalized) complaints and observations, which is directly transferred to the manager's database. Hence, water managers can rapidly have an overview on the distribution system with the sampling points (and their data) and complaints. This allows a more efficient data and complaint management and increases confidence of citizens. 

    I attach a description of one of our projects, implemented in Québec City. Please feel free to contact me (ascheili@watershedmonitoring.com) to further discuss about smart water cities!

    Take care!

    Anna Scheili, PhD

  25. We are delivering Hyperlocal Rainfall predictions to a number of councils and also to Water Utilities and there is a lot of potential for Smart Cities. Hyperlocal Rainfall is location specific rainfall predictions based on real time radar rainfall data. Essentially we track the path of each cell over the ext hour to we generate 12 x 5 minute predictions for each cell and the whole lot is refreshed every 5 minutes. Main uses are sustainable transport (encouraging cycling) but also opportunities to reduce garden watering, save energy by drying clothes outside and much more. http://www.meniscus.co.uk/hyperlocal-rainfall/

  26. The San Diego County Water Authority is currently running 4 local pilots on an optical AMI solution that appears promising.  The technology has proven to work, providing meter reads as advertised and identified households with leaks on the customer side of the meter.  The installation time appears to be much faster and product cost should be much lower than conventional AMI.   Please contact me if you would like additional information.  Gary Eaton, Chief Innovation Officer, San Diego County Water Authority (858) 522-6793.

  27. One of the great problem of water management  is invisible water  leakage in the house holds and other tap water users address.

    So for this critical problem still there is no any technological  solution which are  can to use and possible to control the located problem.

    The existing technological instruments are using for detection after water wasting and also there are asking professional skills.

    But my new innovative technological devices which is named (Water save one)

    Can avoid the previous problems like invisible leakage and contamination control .

    It is daily follow up system and also not required additional professional support.

    Now at a time I can manufacture prototype and also finishing pilot test by domestic regional level with best results and ready to join to local market.

    So how can I get support from any interested partners to work at global level?

    Please e-mail dejenemulugeta50@gmail.com 

    Telephone +251 922844504

    Many Thanks!

     

  28. One of the great problem of water management  is invisible water  leakage in the house holds and other tap water users address.

    So for this critical problem still there is no any technological  solution which are  can to use and possible to control the located problem.

    The existing technological instruments are using for detection after water wasting and also there are asking professional skills.

    But my new innovative technological devices which is named (Water save one)

    Can avoid the previous problems like invisible leakage and contamination control .

    It is daily follow up system and also not required additional professional support.

    Now at a time I can manufacture prototype and also finishing pilot test by domestic regional level with best results and ready to join to local market.

    So how can I get support from any interested partners to work at global level?

    Please e-mail dejenemulugeta50@gmail.com 

    Telephone +251 922844504

    Many Thanks!

     

  29. One of the great problem of water management  is invisible water  leakage in the house holds and other tap water users address.

    So for this critical problem still there is no any technological  solution which are  can to use and possible to control the located problem.

    The existing technological instruments are using for detection after water wasting and also there are asking professional skills.

    But my new innovative technological devices which is named (Water save one)

    Can avoid the previous problems like invisible leakage and contamination control .

    It is daily follow up system and also not required additional professional support.

    Now at a time I can manufacture prototype and also finishing pilot test by domestic regional level with best results and ready to join to local market.

    So how can I get support from any interested partners to work at global level?

    Please e-mail dejenemulugeta50@gmail.com 

    Telephone +251 922844504

    Many Thanks!

     

  30. Hi, Charles;

    There is an innovative way to up-cycling wastewater; it is  a unique technique where you mix organic waste with the wastewater, all together in the same flow, a natural depuration system with a previous anaerobic bio-digestion: no odours, no sludges, no fuels, no emissions, only positive externalities.

    José Luis Peraza Cano, is an outsider engineer, every wetland he designs is ad hoc , always adapted to the environment and the demands of the community. In some way he designs resilient engineering.

    Regards,

    Dr. Fátima Campos

     

  31. Hi Charles

    I've done this type of work at Anglian Water for a number of years now and without knowing your project the biggest blocker to innovation in the UK is payback if that is your driver. Water Regs are pretty strict as well so make sure your in constant contact with the local water company especially for grey water systems in domestic properties. AW are very hot on compliance for this. All needs to be WRc approved etc....

    After all the normal water efficient devices best to concentrate on extensive monitoring- look at the Cello V6 which can provide live alerts and data via online presentment like Watercore. Pressure management on rising main and flow control on all outlets. Rainwater harvesting for retail only and check the local water company doesn't charge return for this if used for domestic purposes. I've done many wastewater recycling projects but only for our key accounts as you really need substantial amounts of process water for this to be viable

    Paul

     

     

     

  32. Hello Charles,

    In India, particularly, in the Nagpur city, we are using one technology where we are producing electricity from the wastewater. We have installed one plant in the waste dumping yard and operating to recycling process. You can use this technology to make smart water city.

  33. I have new innovative technological solution for drinking water saveing systems from invisible leakage and contamination control for each house holds and other tap water users.the technological solution is new in the field and also the world water sector.

    So am very happy to work from any of interested global partners.

    Let descuss direct in box?

     

  34. Hello Charles - I've been studying this water use technology topic as part of a client project...the most advanced I was able to find so far that is integrating in-home, environment and infrastructure is the Aquarevo project in Melbourne, Australia - a logical place to find advanced thinking and investment in the field, given this part of the world already lives at the sharper edge of the scarcity crisis.  The caveat is that this project is in the process of becoming real in 2017 (the plot was massively over-subscribed at the end of 2016, they were all "Go" at the start of this year for construction) - I know you are looking for an operational and measurable impact...this one is the most advanced I could find with theoretical 70% reductions in mains water usage (and grandiose ambitions to go off-grid), but perhaps it might be a little "too" advanced for what you need given it is not finished yet.

    It looks at:

    • A rainwater tank in each home that directly supplies hot water services for all non-drinking household uses.
    • Tank Talk - a rainwater management technology that uses weather forecast data to optimise water storage and reduce stormwater run-off
    • OneBox - a pressurised sewerage network technology that transfers waste based on network volumes, requiring smaller pipes and less excavation
    • An onsite grey water treatment plant, which supplies the development with Class A recycled water, suitable for washing machines, toilets and outdoor use
    • Promoting an ability to share water between communities as a mundane event, with real-time smart controls and based on demand/supply balancing
    • Each home can monitor via the app all water use and energy use at different levels of time granularity, and it can be scaled at admin level to view different areas from home up to total community to zero in on waste.
    • Dumping stores proactively into garden irrigation/sewers well ahead of storms increasing storm drain capacity (flooding being nearly as big a problem as scarcity).
    • Green and Blue "corridors" as a key innovation blending water infrastructure and environmental urban forest, designing street layouts, vegetation, tree canopies, topography and home structures to support the management of evaporation, rain run-off, temperature and supporting water storage above and below ground.

    Some links to research it if you are interested:

    https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/aquarevo-release-proves-sustainability-demand/

    http://aquarevo.villawoodproperties.com.au/community/aquarevo

    https://www.oliverhume.com.au/personal/project/192-aquarevo

    http://www.smh.com.au/business/property/innovative-aquarevo-sustainable-estate-targets-major-water-savings-20160209-gmpdyo.html

    http://southeastwater.com.au/CurrentProjects/Projects/Pages/Aquarevo.aspx

    Sounds like a superb topic, and I like that this is a UK project.  Having had some of the worst pipe leakage rates globally in the UK due to complacency over rainfall and groundwater levels, and only recent efforts to start addressing this (and typically being a culture that is very casual about water waste as we are), this is a positive signal, thanks for sharing.

    1 Comment

  35. I suggest a Zero energy Biological Treatment System followed by a reed bed to treat water for reuse as well as grow vegetables/flowers and fruits utilizing the nutrients in the waste water. It requires no electricity, can be driven by gravity, provides clean potable water after treatment by microbes and root zone. Very little  sludge is formed in the holding tanks. Please see if we can work together. We are presently implementing a similar system on a Drain in a major Town in Andhra Pradesh, India and are successful. 

  37. Dear Charles,

    Aquarius is a leading provider of advanced leak detection solutions for water loss reduction, burst prevention, pipe condition assessment, optimizing maintenance & operational costs.

    Our products are currently monitoring more than 2,000 km of water pipes around the world helping major water utilities reduce their NRW and M&O cost by using fixed & mobile acoustic sensors. Please take a look here: www.aquarius-spectrum.com

     

     

    1 Comment

  38. Education. Children's education is the most important as they are going to inherit the Smart Cities. AWWA's Internationalized version of  Kids' book : Water Wonderful (Age 5 -10) will be published soon. It teaches kids to value the water. Treat it as a resource and not as a commodity, in a very simple dialogues with fun-filled pictures.  

  39. The use of modular breakwaters-power plants for autonomous generating electricity and desalination of sea water: https://youtu.be/0milh2JeqTU

  40. Hello Charles,

    Take a look at Biopolus, they developed a remarkable way to decentralise the treatmeant of waste water in a wonderful greenhouse park that blends in with the city.

    Besides the different solutions that are already mentioned, such as rainwater harvesting etc. The thing that makes a city smart is the way all these different solutions work together to react to different, extreme, circumstances. For instance at the prediction of heavy rainfall the city will actively drain natural water ways and water retention at forehand so there is enough space for water storage at the time of heavy rainfall.

    In the Netherlands we are currently working on these kind of automated systems, not only to prevent our cities from flooding, but we can also win energy from carefully managed differences in water level. Take a look at the Dutch water sector.

    1 Comment

  41. Rain water harvesting, Grey water recycle for gardening ,toilets and solar heating can be done as

    simple means of  conservation .Sewage  will be treated in the municipal sewage treatment plant

    which can recycle water for  non potable use

  42. Data collection and real-time alerts are essential for a smart city project. Please see the attached this video which details how Ayyeka and the City of Cincinnati worked together to create a smart sewer network.

  43. Some interesting links follow.

    http://www.wabag.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Water-management-in-Windhoek-2007.pdf

    https://mg.co.​za/article/2016-​03-10-windhoek-​shows-the-world-​how-to-treat-​water

    http://www.​scidev.net/sub-​saharan-africa/​water/feature/​namibia-​innovative-​water-system.​html 

    https://www.​pri.org/stories/​2016-12-15/​recycling-​sewage-drinking-​water-no-big-​deal-theyve-​been-doing-it-​namibia-50-​years 

    1 Comment

  44. FOR WASTE WATER 

    I SUGGEST TO BUILD A SMALL COMMON EFFLUENT WITH UF, RO STAGE AND FOR ZLD SYSTEM, MULTI EVAPORATOR WHICH GIVES YOU A ZERO DISCHARGE SYSTEM.

  46. Hello Charles,
    EcoloBlue Atmospheric Water Generators create up to 10,000 liters of water a day individually, or up to 30 liters/day on a small scale, and 6 models of various production levels in between. Our home/office units work in conditions of 0°-45° C, and 35%-95% humidity. The industrial models work in conditions of 0°-60° C, and 25%-100% humidity. Email me at jepsenh@ecoloblue.com and I'd be happy to send you some spec sheets. Our industrial machines could work well for the overall projects, or our smaller units could be placed in each home for their drinking water supply.

    2 Comments

  48. Hello Charles Sellers

    Energy & Water applications and solutions for Smart Cities with multiple benefits

     

    Windgiant Energy towers and/or Double turbines solutions

    1. Wind energy production , efficient and very quiet,

    2. Can be combined with electrical charging station

    3. Atmospheric Water generator from 5 degrees to 50 degrees Celsius

     

    Windgiant Energy double turbines for mounting on residential houses - 25 kW up to 75 kW

    Windgiant Energy Towers with double turbine technology - 60 kW to 3 MW

     

    Solution: Windgiant Energy & Water Tower – 3 MW

    Energy production per year at 6 m/sec = 8.355.000 kw/h,

    Atmospheric water production at 6 m/sec and 2g/m³ airflow in 24 hours = 502 m³ fresh water

    Atmospheric water production at 6 m/sec and 2g/m³ airflow max. per year = 180.000 m³ fresh water

     

    Start of production in 2018 (25 kW to 800 kW), 2019 up to 3 MW.

    Ready to talk outside Europe for „License Cooperations“

     

    More information: http://www.windgigant.eu/wg/index.php/en,

    Email: gwieser@windgiant.com

    Regards Gerhard Wieser

     

  49. Hi Charles, It sounds like a wonderful project!  There are a number of options to consider but for starters, I would recommend watching this video Divyajyoti 251116 - YouTube  It is a video of a recently completed project.   The building featured in the video will soon be 100% self sufficient in terms of energy, water, and waste.   I'm happy to chat about specifics if you would like.  I can be reached at ambwat@gmail.com  

    Best regards,

    David Stein

    1 Comment

  50. Hi Charles. Whatever technology is applied it is important that as a Smart City the design is created for the future with an understanding of the past. There are many options for doing this and we have boiled them down into a tidy table that relates to how water relates to your design: water harvesting, drainage design, flood adaptation/mitigation and so on. The table can be found at: http://www.climsystems.com/resources/applications-and-methods-for-extreme-rainfall-analysis. Often it is best to enage early on issues pertaining to rainfall (and other climate factors like heat) and how they could impact on city/building design. Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. peter@climsystems.com or+64273169777.

    1 Comment

  52. Hi Charles.

    It will depend on the effluent main characteristics. I believe that a simple treatment as screening, flotation, aerobic biological treatment, followed by a more intensive coagulation/flotation, filtration and ozone/UV treatment (and only as backup a reverse-osmosis) process, with a storage tank with chlorination is more than enough to ensure the water cycle.

    The sludge for the different treatments could be treated by anaerobic treatment (even the coagulation/flotation that should be a a smaller amount when compared with the rest), producing bio-gas that could be applied to ensure the anaerobic treatment (or more energy, but I have my doubts...).

    The first process, to treat water is proved, however as higher power consumption due ozone and UV treatment besides the aeration. The second (sludge treatment) except the referred inorganic/organic sludge is also been used.

     

    Best regards, Nuno AS