SA Water expands smart network initiative

SA Water has incorporated WaterGroup’s Trunk Main Monitoring (TMM) System into the mix of technology used in the expansion of its smart network initiative, which has been successfully implemented in the Adelaide CBD.

In 2017 SA Water invested in a smart network for Adelaide’s CBD, installing more than 300 sensors — measuring flow, pressure and water quality plus acoustic leak detection — to monitor the water network 24/7. Using this technology has enabled the utility to identify and proactively fix faults and leaks before they impact users, as well as informing water asset future planning and infrastructure investment decisions.

The comprehensive smart network in the City of Adelaide transmits near real-time information about the performance of SA Water’s underground network. All of the sensors are connected to an analytics platform providing a detailed picture of the water network. This is supported by 70 Adelaide businesses using smart meters to help them better manage their consumption.

These new insights into the network have helped SA Water to identify and proactively fix leaks before they impact customers and commuters, resulting in less water loss, plus fewer water service interruptions and commuter delays. Several leaks in hydrants, stop valves and pipes have also been found and fixed, some of which may have led to large water loss and unnecessary costs.

Video: SA Water Chief Executive Roch Cheroux talks about smart technology use across the utility’s water and wastewater networks in Adelaide.

Now SA Water is expanding its smart network, installing its technology across several locations in metropolitan Adelaide and regional South Australia — namely Athelstone, Stonyfell, Penneshaw, Gawler, Port Lincoln and North Adelaide.

In particular, the expansion sees the introduction of WaterGroup’s TMM System into the technology mix, which specialises in allowing water utilities to detect leaks in main transport pipelines. By identifying and locating leak in main pipelines before they lead to major supply disruptions, utilities can fix them while they are small, reduce water loss and avoid large outages.

The expansion will also introduce smart wastewater technology in select areas to improve sewerage services for SA Water’s customers.

Image caption: A typical TMM install.

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