Real-time monitoring of water distribution networks

Water losses associated with inefficiencies in the underground water distribution system are not only causing revenue losses for the local water boards but also significantly negatively affect a country’s national water reserves. Even though assisting in defining the problem and in devising remediation strategies for it, posterior analysis of the causes of such inefficiencies are far from being effective and immediate problem-solving and water-saving methodologies. The work presented herein centers on real-time monitoring and assessment of urban water distribution networks by use of wireless sensors, aiming the development of an integrated management system for water distribution networks that combines analytical and neurofuzzy decision support systems, geographical information systems and wireless sensor networks. The methodology focuses on the sustainable management of water pipe networks through real-time data acquisition and processing of sensor signals collected from a distributed ad-hoc wireless sensor network.