Key Takeaways

• Watercare is installing 5,000 advanced sewer level monitors in Auckland to enhance wastewater management through local data processing.
• The initiative, in collaboration with Kallipr, aims to detect blockages and pipe failures in real time, reducing reliance on cloud infrastructure.
• This smart network program is expected to improve operational efficiency, reduce sewage spills, and lower environmental impact.

Innovative Sewer Monitoring System

Watercare is implementing a groundbreaking system with 5,000 sewer level monitors across its Auckland wastewater network, leveraging edge intelligence to identify issues such as blockages and pipe failures proactively. This approach marks a significant shift from traditional cloud-based monitoring systems to a localized model where data processing occurs at the source, ensuring faster and more reliable responses to potential problems.

Dave Moore, Smart Systems Manager at Watercare, highlighted the benefits of this local processing method. “By shifting processing out to the edge, we’re cutting down on cloud consumption and enabling the network to respond faster, closer to the source of the issue in near real-time,” he stated. The focus on local data processing aims to minimize communication costs, extend the lifespan of monitoring technology, and facilitate early detection of network issues, helping to prevent sewage spills and their associated environmental and financial repercussions.

Broader Implications for Utilities

The sensors, provided by technology partner Kallipr, play a pivotal role in Watercare’s Smart Network Programme, which has a total budget of NZD $12 million. This program emphasizes the integration of digital technologies and AI into existing water management infrastructure. The monitors are being strategically placed across the city, particularly in flood-prone areas like Wairau. Each sensor autonomously tracks sewer conditions and adjusts its data collection frequency based on detected anomalies, utilizing radar and TinyML-powered algorithms for optimal efficiency.

Gerhard Loots, CEO of Kallipr, noted the forward-thinking nature of this initiative. “This deployment shows how utilities can evolve from data-heavy, cloud-reliant systems to a model that’s faster, leaner, and built for real-world complexity.”

Technical Overview

At the heart of the deployment is Kallipr’s Spectra radar sensor, durable enough to handle the challenging conditions typical of sewers, including corrosive gases and potential submersion. The sensors collect data every 15 minutes but can increase their activity in response to signals indicating possible blockages or overflow. They use low-power LTE networks, including NB-IoT and Cat-M1 standards, for data transmission, and their onboard TinyML algorithms ensure efficient energy use and adaptability.

This system’s design addresses connectivity challenges inherent in underground environments through dual SIM capabilities, ensuring stable communication regardless of external conditions. Device management is facilitated by the Kallipr Kloud Fleet platform on Microsoft Azure, allowing for centralized monitoring and control.

Impact on Efficiency and Sustainability

The shift to edge-based processing significantly reduces bandwidth requirements, energy consumption, and overall pressure on cloud infrastructure, which can lead to lower operational costs and enhanced ecological outcomes. Watercare emphasizes that preventing sewage spills not only reduces contamination risks and field visits but also curtails unnecessary emissions.

The deployment in Auckland is indicative of a global trend toward decentralized utility management. Watercare’s innovative strategies promote increased efficiency and responsiveness by placing decision-making closer to operational events, fostering resilience and adaptability in critical infrastructure networks.

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