Drinking water

Sensors and data loggers continuously record pressure, flow and meter readings in the distribution network and send them via cellular network to a platform. The software compares the values with thresholds and typical patterns, such as night-time flow. If flow rises for no reason or pressure drops, the system reports a possible leak. In the PSsystec solution, readings and alarms reach operating staff live, which shortens long downtimes.

A utility detects water main bursts from a sudden, unusually high flow, and creeping leaks from a slow drop in pressure. Data loggers such as PSsystec's SMARTsensor measure pressure, flow and meter readings and send them via NB-IoT or LTE-M to the FlowChief software, which also analyses night-time flow. The GELSENWASSER-Monitor uses AI-based anomaly detection and direct alarms to warn of leaks and pipe bursts in good time.

Water theft becomes visible as soon as digital meters and sensors record consumption and flow in near real time. At Australian water authorities, this data is available every 15 minutes instead of once a quarter, so irregularities stand out early. Using digital sensors, municipalities uncovered significant water theft for the first time, in one case saving 700 litres every 30 minutes. The PSsystec solution also detects unusual consumption patterns automatically.

IoT replaces manual inspections with live data from the network, reducing operating costs and the risk of undetected water losses. A municipal utility supplying around 100,000 people with drinking water replaced its outgoing 2G data loggers with PSsystec's cellular solution and saved 30 percent of its operating costs. An open REST API connects the data to existing SCADA systems without any additional IT infrastructure.