Let Sewer Tell Its Own Story
Kansas city, like many other old US cities, have outdated sewer system that cannot withstand heavy rainfall and suffers from combined sewer overflow. It now deploys a “Smart Sewer” system that uses IOT sensor network , machine learning and large data sets to control sewer and stormwater flows.
The smart sewer system consists of 300 sensors deployed over underside of manhole covers across 2800 mile pipe networks. These sensors could monitor the flow and depth of the water. Then the flow gates dynamically close and open to maximize the storage in sewer system. Precise data from sensor network allow data scientists to build more accurate predictive model that can assess the need for investment in additional infrastructure. This innovation prevents the construction of expensive deep tunnels and pumping stations. It is estimated that this 1.2 million dollar upgrade of sewer system could save city’s taxpayer 1 billion dollars in the coming years. Therefore it is an investment affordable to many cities without too much objection from their citizens.
References:
[1] Matt, Hamblen (2018 October 09). Smart sewers: Smart Cities “start eight feet below the ground”, SmartCitiesWorld, retrieved on September 23, 2019, from https://www.smartcitiesworld.net/special-reports/special-reports/smart-sewers-smart-cities-start-eight-feet-below-the-ground
