**4. Some ICT solutions for water efficiency**

The analysis of the domains and the business processes demonstrates the relevance and the key position of the data acquisition process through sensors located in the various sectors of the water cycle. This need is recurrent and could be seen in the three domains and takes a central position in surveying, monitoring and operating activities.

#### **4.1 The sensor revolution**

The analysis of the domains and the business processes demonstrates the relevance and the Following the PC revolution in the 1980s and the Internet revolution in the 1990s, the on-going revolution is connecting the Internet back to the physical world, creating that world its first electronic nervous system or Information System. The sensor revolution is based on devices that monitor environment - natural & built - in ways that could barely imagine a few years ago.

of the cities of the future, or sustainable cities, or water-sensitive cities;

a very high level of monitoring and thus, a sophisticated density of ICT;

In-pipe and "through road" condition assessment sensing technologies;

of the company, with interfaces consistent with field conditions.

Tools for Smart Metering / Smart Pricing (e.g. condition-based tariffs).

Leakage reduction in distribution networks;

Tools for energy saving in treatment plants;

Improving water efficiency in cities;

**4. Some ICT solutions for water efficiency** 

Monitoring and control of heat recovery in wastewater;

central position in surveying, monitoring and operating activities.

 Improving water efficiency in cities. c. Asset Management and Field Work Management

In the current vision , there is an absolute need of generalized ICT in the operation

 Cascading usages of water (incl. re-use and recycling), rainwater harvesting, storm water management, desalination, managed aquifer recharge, micro treatment plants, etc. are the core techniques of the cities of the future These techniques need

Continuous performance, condition and risk assessment sensors and prediction

Optimised network operation and "just in time" repairs and investment programmes;

Buried asset electronic identification and tagging devices, wireless communication

"Wearable computers" for field workers, giving access in real time to all data bases

 Smart grid in water distribution systems (real time management of pumping strategy, refined demand forecast, optimization of network management and of

Real time status monitoring (open/closed) of manual valves (cf. above : equipment

 Improving water efficiency in agriculture, including detection of illegal abstraction; Ecosystems and land-use management in perspective of project scope and available

The analysis of the domains and the business processes demonstrates the relevance and the key position of the data acquisition process through sensors located in the various sectors of the water cycle. This need is recurrent and could be seen in the three domains and takes a

The analysis of the domains and the business processes demonstrates the relevance and the Following the PC revolution in the 1980s and the Internet revolution in the 1990s, the on-going revolution is connecting the Internet back to the physical world, creating that world its first electronic nervous system or Information System. The sensor revolution is based on devices that monitor environment - natural & built - in ways that could barely imagine a few years ago.

b. Cities of Tomorrow

models;

d. Energy Efficiency

e. Water efficiency

resources.

**4.1 The sensor revolution** 

GIS/GPS information;

operating costs);

of field operators);

through road materials;

A sensor is any device that can take a stimulus, such as heat, light, magnetism, or exposure to a particular chemical, and convert it to a signal. Sensors have certainly been around for a very long time with scales (weight sensors), thermometers (temperature sensors) and barometers(pressure sensors). More recently, scientists and engineers have come up with devices to sense light (photocells), sound (microphones), ground vibrations (seismometers), and force (accelerometers), as well as sensors for magnetic and electric fields, radiation, strain, acidity, and many other phenomena.

While the concept of sensors is nothing new, the technology of sensors is undergoing a rapid transformation. Indeed, the forces that have already revolutionized the computer, electronics, and biotech industries are converging on the world of sensors from at least three different directions:

Smaller. Rapid advances in fields such as nanotechnology and (micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS)) have not only led to ultra-compact versions of traditional sensors, but have inspired the creation of sensors based on entirely new principles. The reduced size fits perfectly with the constraints of the water supply and open possibilities into the monitoring and operating activities.

Smarter. The exponentially increasing power of microelectronics has made it possible to create sensors with built-in "intelligence." In principle, at least, sensors today can store and process data on the spot, selecting only the most relevant and critical items to report. One of the emerging concepts in this domain is the ubiquitous computing paradigm. This approach is highly relevant for the water domain especially for all warning and monitoring systems which may avoid the centralized design.

More Mobile. The rapid proliferation of wireless networking technologies has cut the tether. Today, many sensors send back their data from remote locations, or even while they're in motion.

In the urban water domain, the new sensors are already deeply impacting several business processes with Automated Meter Readers (AMR), water quality control devices and operating supervision. Such trend is following the recent evolution observed in energy distribution sector. An emblematic evolution is the one taking place with the introduction of the smart metering concept for water consumption monitoring.

#### **4.2 From mechanical meters to smart metering**

Water meters reading remains one of the core business process of water utilities or public services in charge of drinking water supply. This activity requests a good level of organization and a good management of the devices. To date, water meters have been accumulation meters, pulse meters or interval meters which are all mechanical devices. The data are collected directly regularly on the field. This process can report about consumption and can detect some leakages into the network. However, reactivity is low due to the limited visits on the field. The past decade has seen an evolution of conceptual design of advanced or smart metering and its terminology. Driven by electricity investment, metering has evolved from accumulation meters to interval meters with simple communications, to advanced or smart metering with an increased range of metering functionality. This increase in electricity meter functionality and complexity has started to be mirrored in the water industry.

Interval metering is comparatively more expensive than pulse metering, as the interval meter is required to constantly monitor the water flows through the meter and record this volume at the expiration of the metering interval. By using a fine pulse quantum and analysing the time stamps of these pulses, pulse metering data can be used to approximate

ICT for Water Efficiency 425

various municipalities and for different situations (type of building, type of cities, ...). Most of the projects are based on wireless devices and very few are deployed on the wire networks. Following the first experiments, the main water utilities have already initiated the implementation of smart meters at a large scale with for example more than 350 000 units

The pilot studies and experiments carried out since several years by the water utilities have demonstrated the savings in water consumption due to the use of the smart metering. The

 Reduction of individual consumption. The details of the consumption are accessible through various media such as a specific website or a small electronic terminal. The information provided to the consumer immediately generates a reduction up to 15%; Reduction of water consumption at the macro scale (city to block). The smart metering allows to identified non conform water consumption and consequently help to reduce leakages after and before the smart meter itself. Text messages could be sent to consumers when the consumption is initiating a non coherent pattern with the previous

consumption. The water utilities can also detect major leakages on the networks. The knowledge in real time of the water consumption allows to identify seasonal needs of the population and to anticipate the volumes of resources to mobilize. This approach allows a more functional use of resources and contributes globally to reduce the

The knowledge in real time of the water consumption opens the doors to a new

Today, according to various publications and sources (Oracle, 2011), about a third of water utility managers in USA say they are in the early stages of adopting smart meters, despite the fact that 71 percent of water users say that having more detailed information on their water consumption would promote better water conservation. This figure is representative of the worldwide situation. From the water utilities point of view, the following benefits to

The financial efficiency of the smart metering has been already demonstrated through various study cases and pilots (Marshment Hill Consulting, 2010) In developing countries where development of infrastructures and management of water resources represent a great challenge, the opportunity to invest in the smart metering concept is clearly a key issue

The water sector represents a major challenge for the 21st century. The climate evolution combined with the growing of pressure of populations will generate new stresses on a limited resource which has to be carefully managed and protected. The fast development of ICT solutions allows today to enter a new area which may be characterized by the idea to move from a scarcity of data to a continuous flow of data - "data rich world" - about natural and built environment. This new situation will become a reality in the coming two decades

approach about pricing, based on seasonal and even hourly values.

supplying customers with tools to monitor/reduce water use;

improving the ability to conduct preventative maintenance.

which request an integrated effort in the global urban management.

for France.

consumption.

**5. Conclusion** 

adopting smart meters could be identified:

 providing more accurate water rates; curbing overall water demand;

enabling early leak detection ;

savings are taking place at various levels such as:

interval water metering data and hence deliver similar benefits. Use of pulse metering where a time stamp is made when a certain quantum of water is consumed, is more common in the water industry and these pulse meters are available at reasonable cost.

Smart water metering for the water industry will extend beyond the capability of Automated Meter Reading (AMR). Smart water metering is expected to, as a minimum, establish more granular - within a day - water usage data, two-way communications between the water utility and the water meter, and potentially include communications to the customer. With respect to a customer's household, smart water metering could enable:


The options to be considered for smart water metering are:


Fig. 5. Smart water metering logical architecture.

Options for the implementation of smart water metering communications arise through choices on:


Since 2006, various pilot projects - from 100 to 500 smart meters – have been implement worlwide and espacially in Europe within France, Italy, Spain and Malta. The projects are carried out by the water utilities who are supporting development and implementation in

interval water metering data and hence deliver similar benefits. Use of pulse metering where a time stamp is made when a certain quantum of water is consumed, is more common in the water industry and these pulse meters are available at reasonable cost. Smart water metering for the water industry will extend beyond the capability of Automated Meter Reading (AMR). Smart water metering is expected to, as a minimum, establish more granular - within a day - water usage data, two-way communications between the water utility and the water meter, and potentially include communications to the customer. With respect to a customer's household, smart water metering could enable:

Recording of water consumption within a day;

Fig. 5. Smart water metering logical architecture.

communications networks;

manner through bills.

choices on:

 Messaging to the customer; Customised targeting of segments.

Remote meter reading on a scheduled and on-demand basis;

The options to be considered for smart water metering are:

 Notification of abnormal usage to the customer and/or the water utility; Control of water consumption devices within a customer's premise;

 Choice of communication to the water authority/water utility and the home; Choice of consumption data measurement (pulse or interval metering).

Options for the implementation of smart water metering communications arise through

 Water authority/water utility communications: The method and frequency of data collection through either drive-by collection, leveraging electricity Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) communication networks or standalone water AMI

 Customer communications: The method of communicating consumption information to customers: either in real-time across a Home-Area-Network (HAN), or in a historical

Since 2006, various pilot projects - from 100 to 500 smart meters – have been implement worlwide and espacially in Europe within France, Italy, Spain and Malta. The projects are carried out by the water utilities who are supporting development and implementation in various municipalities and for different situations (type of building, type of cities, ...). Most of the projects are based on wireless devices and very few are deployed on the wire networks. Following the first experiments, the main water utilities have already initiated the implementation of smart meters at a large scale with for example more than 350 000 units for France.

The pilot studies and experiments carried out since several years by the water utilities have demonstrated the savings in water consumption due to the use of the smart metering. The savings are taking place at various levels such as:


Today, according to various publications and sources (Oracle, 2011), about a third of water utility managers in USA say they are in the early stages of adopting smart meters, despite the fact that 71 percent of water users say that having more detailed information on their water consumption would promote better water conservation. This figure is representative of the worldwide situation. From the water utilities point of view, the following benefits to adopting smart meters could be identified:


The financial efficiency of the smart metering has been already demonstrated through various study cases and pilots (Marshment Hill Consulting, 2010) In developing countries where development of infrastructures and management of water resources represent a great challenge, the opportunity to invest in the smart metering concept is clearly a key issue which request an integrated effort in the global urban management.

#### **5. Conclusion**

The water sector represents a major challenge for the 21st century. The climate evolution combined with the growing of pressure of populations will generate new stresses on a limited resource which has to be carefully managed and protected. The fast development of ICT solutions allows today to enter a new area which may be characterized by the idea to move from a scarcity of data to a continuous flow of data - "data rich world" - about natural and built environment. This new situation will become a reality in the coming two decades

**24** 

*Italy* 

**Monitoring Information Systems to** 

*Water Research Institute - National Research Council, Bari,* 

**Support Adaptive Water Management** 

Raffaele Giordano, Giuseppe Passarella and Emanuele Barca

Decision making in water resources management is widely acknowledged in literature to be a rational process, based on appropriate information and modeling results. Information plays a fundamental role in improving our understanding of the consequences of, and

Environmental monitoring networks have the potential to provide a great deal of information for environmental decision processes. Monitoring is widely used to increase our knowledge both of the state of the environment and of socio-economic conditions. Environmental monitoring has demonstrated its capacity within resource management to support decision processes providing knowledge of baseline conditions, to detect change, to establish historical status and trends, to promote long-term understanding or prediction,

Our knowledge of the complexity of water system processes is increasing, together with our awareness of the uncertainty and unpredictability of the effects of water management on system dynamics. Consequently, the demand for environmental information is growing posing new challenges to monitoring system design. This chapter discusses these new challenges and proposes an innovative monitoring design approach to deal with complexity. The conceptual architecture of an Adaptive Monitoring Information System (AMIS) is proposed. The AMIS properties are used in this work to define a framework to assess the capabilities of current monitoring systems to support water managers to cope with complexity and uncertainty. The framework is used to identify the main limitations and to define the potential improvements of TIZIANO monitoring system, developed to

monitor the state of groundwater monitoring in the Apulia Region (South Italy).

**2. New challenges for monitoring systems and information management in** 

Incorporating uncertainties about future pressures on river basins into water resources management sets new challenges for environmental resources management. One learning process being developed to address this challenge is Adaptive Management (AM) (Holling 1978). Learning more about the resources or system to be managed and its responses to management actions, in order to develop a shift in understanding, is an inherent objective of AM (Walters, 1997; Fazey et al., 2005). Learning in AM leads to a

trade-off among, the alternatives in water resources management.

and to establish the need for, or success of, interventions.

**Adaptive Management (AM)** 

**1. Introduction** 

and will allow potentially improving, globally, the water management. However, if this perspective represents a clear benefit both for natural and manmade environments, it request the development of a coherent vision based on a process allowing to integrate the fragmented activities developed until now in the water sector. The ICT solutions will allow this integration process but they have to be coordinated under guidelines and standards which have to be jointly defined by the various actors of the water sectors. Regulating bodies, public services, water utilities and IT producers are invited through organisations like @qua, to engage an active dialog in order to develop a coherent strategy. The suggested approach, based on business processes, represents a solution which has to be extended to all activities and domains of the water sector. It implies a real mobilization of all actors from who have to formalize their processes. Of course this effort requests a maturity in the process itself in order to be able to characterize the tasks and their dynamic.

The water sector represents a vast area where ICT solutions can be implemented and provide a real improvement. In order to benefit of these solutions, the water sector has to be pro active and structured in order to express needs. This challenging and exciting task will mobilize many professionals from both sectors and will request debates within the society on choices regarding water and its management.

#### **6. Acknowledgment**

The @qua thematic network and this work is funded under the ICT Policy Support Programme of the 7th Framework Program (FP7) of the European Commission.

#### **7. References**


 http://www.water.vic.gov.au/\_\_data/assets/pdf\_file/0003/61545/smart-watermetering-cost-benefit-study.pdf

Oracle (2011) Smart Grid Challenges & Choices, Part 2: North American Utility Executives' Vision and Priorities, Oracle, USA, Available from:

http://www.oracle.com/us/dm/h2fy11/utilities-survey-report-400044.pdf


 http://www.worldwatercouncil.org/fileadmin/wwc/Library/Publications\_and\_r eports/Activity\_reports/TriennalReport\_2006-2009.pdf
