A real time monitoring and leakage detection and reduction system in water distribution networks
| Acronym | SmartWaterSave |
| Website | http://www.smartwatersave.eu |
| Priority axis | Protection of Environment – Transportation |
| Specific Objective | Sustainable management of protected areas, ecosystems and biodiversity |
| Call | 1st Call for Project Proposals |
| Start date | July 9, 2018 |
| Lead Partner | Municipality of Prespes |
| Partners |
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki - Special Account for Research Funds - Department of Civil Engineering JKP Proleter Resen Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje - Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technologies |
| Budget | 575.003,62 € |
The water distribution networks in the transboundary Prespa Park face severe water loss problems mainly due to structural deterioration of the pipe networks. It is estimated that approximately the 50% of the total pumped water is lost. The large volume of the pumped groundwater results in the increase of energy consumption in order to treat groundwater and distribute it.
The aim of the SmartWaterSave project is to introduce an innovative technical methodology based on the idea of a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system (SCADA), using real-time flow and pressure monitoring sensors, and therefore to promote a cost-effective approach for achieving a significant reduction in water leakage. The effective water pressure management is expected to reduce the risk of burst pipes and extend pipes service life.
The main objectives of the SmartWaterSave project include:
1. Mapping the water distribution networks using Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
2. Hydraulic modelling of the networks
3. Installation of water pressure and flow sensors at five and four settlements in Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia respectively
4. Identification of “hotspots” in terms of pipe failures regionalization
5. Calculation of the current water losses, energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions per each settlement
6. Development of three pressure management strategies based on varying the inlet pressure at each network
7. Investigating the relationship between inlet pressure and leakages using advanced statistical models
8. Blueprints and hydraulic studies for reconstructing the most water consuming parts of the networks
9. Calculation of water savings based on the most effective management strategy
10. Calculation of energy consumption savings
11. Calculation of greenhouse gas emissions savings based on calculating the Water Footprint indicator
12. Reconstruction works of the most water consuming parts of the networks
13. Organizing workshops and seminars to disseminate results to local stakeholders and residents.