AWWA Water Infrastructure Conference Deployment of networks of innovative water quality sensors for distribution network monitoring Joep van den Broeke (Ph.D.) 28 October 2014
Challenges for Water Utilities Pressure on (water) resources increases need for efficiency and use of alternative water sources Leakage Use of brackish water, water reuse, artificial recharge Globally, water quality issues persist Developed countries stricter regulations Developing countries need to bring water quality to sufficient standard Asset management Assets in developed countries are reaching end of life and need rehabilitation or replacement 2
Smart Water Networks Managing the challenges to ensure future water supply asks for: Remote control and optimization of all aspects of the water distribution network using data-driven insights Automatic and distributed monitoring of water quality and quick interventions o Treat to necessity instead of treatment with large safety margin o Optimal selection of sources o Save operational costs (energy, chemicals, laboratory costs) Pre-emptive prioritization and management of maintenance issues 3
Distribution networks are a weak link Water quality in distribution networks remains largely unknown and unmonitored Water Quality is controlled during production Distribution network is a black box Water distribution systems are (physically) vulnerable Accidental contaminations (backflow, ingress, pipe bursts) Intentional contaminations Impossible to protect by physical security measures Ageing assets Current approach incapable of effectively monitoring water quality and its dynamics 4 Need for online, real-time monitoring throughout the distribution network
Requirements for Water Quality Monitor Traditional sensor technologies Real-time & Continuous Scalable system for coverage complete distribution network Cover only limited part of Detection of full spectrum of contaminants contamination spectrum CAPEX and OPEX too high for deployment at more than limited number of strategic locations Optiqua EventLab Cost effective One sensor covers full spectrum of Robustness (maintenance, calibration) Automated data collection and processing 5 chemical contaminants Deployed throughout the distribution network
Highly sensitive patented optical chip technology is the basis for Optiqua s monitoring products Optiqua s optical sensor detects minute changes in the refractive index (RI) in water Any contaminant dissolved in water, changes the RI of the water. Pure Water RI = 1.33 Single sensor for real-time detection of full spectrum of chemical contaminants 6 0.005% NaCl RI = 1.3301 5% NaCl RI = 1.34
Validated concept of measurement Class Common water constituents Organics Organics pesticides Chemical contamination Cross-connection Heavy metal Faeces/ urine/fertilizer Pharmaceuticals 7 Compounds Detection limit* (mg/l) Sodium Chloride Sodium Nitrate Potassium Chloride Calcium Chloride Sodium Sulfite Sodium Carbonate 5.0 5.2 4.3 3.4 4.5 1.6 Ethanol Chloroform Chloral hydrate Aldicarb Azinphos-methyl Fenamiphos 1.7 0.3 0.8 2.6 0.4 0.8 Sodium Cyanide 4.2 Class A recycled water 2.0 (ppm TDS) Cadmium Nitrate 0.3 Urea 0.6 Acetylsalicylic acid 1.3
Optiqua EventLab: complete solution for real time continuous water quality monitoring throughout the network 1 EventLab 2 Optical No calibration Minimal maintenance Full spectrum detection No consumables ppm sensitivity Controller transmits sensor readings to SCADA and through wireless protocol (e.g. GPRS) 3 Remote data transmission ftp server Internet Sensor network information processed at central data server 8 Network overview accessible via web based user interface EventLab data Internet/VPN Internet Software algorithms determine natural variations and flag water quality incidents DB server Web Access to Data
How refractive index compares to other water quality parameters Responds to all chemical substances Traditional Arrays (including chemicals invisible to all other sensors) Sensitivity for all substances in same order of magnitude Response linear with concentration Sensitivity independent of chemical reactivity of substance Response independent of water matrix (temp., ion activity, ) Long term stability (no aging) Fast response time (immediate) 9 False sense of security
How refractive index compares to other water quality parameters Responds to all chemical substances EventLab (including chemicals invisible to all other sensors) Sensitivity for all substances in same order of magnitude Response linear with concentration Sensitivity independent of chemical reactivity of substance Response independent of water matrix (temp., ion activity, ) Long term stability (no aging) Fast response time (immediate) 10 Organic Refractive Index Refractive Index Inorganic Full spectrum of dissolved components
EventLab data processing and event detection Data pre-processing and compensation Missing data check Outlier handling Drift compensation Temperature compensation applied Event Detection Based on the gradient in data set Adjustable parameter implemented for detection of different dynamics (duration) of changes in water composition One single traffic light output
Dynamic Adjustment Sensitivity 12
Case Studies Public Utility Board (PUB) Singapore Vitens Water Company the Netherlands 13
Case Study: PUB EventLab network deployed throughout Central Business District PUB is the Singapore national water and wastewater company providing services to approx. 5.5 million customers Vision: implement real-time monitoring in their distribution networks EventLab is a flag ship project within water safety and security program Currently 25 EventLab systems deployed in CBD area 14
EventLab on site installation with solar panels Solar panel Solar charge controller & battery pack EventLab Electronics EventLab Flow cell Regulators/ Filters In-pipe Blind Spiking Set-up 15
PUB Monitoring Program Activities 1. Baseline analysis 2. Setting of detectional thresholds based on background variability 3. Site analysis Conclusions Consistent baseline data throughout network A number of locations show fluctuations in water quality Operational water quality variations affect sensitivity Site selection = crucial Multiparameter sensors (ph, ORP, EC, turb) in parallel at 11 locations > EventLab pick up same events + more subtle variations in background quality -> confirms added value of refractive index over traditional parameters 16
Case study: Vitens (the Netherlands) Vitens is the largest water utility in the Netherlands providing drinking water to 5.4 million customers Investing heavily into intelligent water supply. First implementation in Province of Friesland (7300 kilometers of pipes, 300,000 connections) Currently 44 EventLab systems deployed Testing phase concluded, preparing for full scale implementation The Optiqua EventLab works and is reliable. The water company is now determining how to implement the sensors. Pumping stations / Reservoirs In H2O vol 7/8, 2014 the Dutch magazine for water professionals Production plant 17 End user points
Vitens Innovation Playground 18
Sensor Placement 19
Optimising Sensor Placement Modelling Sensor Placement 20 Practicalities of sensor placement Cost Benefit Analysis
Examples of Real Events Detected by EventLab 1. Water treatment plant upset Foto: Robert Jan Boonstra www.nieuwsuitfriesland.nl 21
EventLab Tracks Water Quality Event through Distribution Network Water treatment plant upset WTP Water Tower ~20km Treatment plant maintenance Software issues lead to delayed production restart Water quality issues (increase in hardness) 22 Notification of critical customers
Event Validated by induced hardness change
Other quality monitors did not detect incident EventLab ph Turbidity Conductivity 24 Clear response from Eventlab to maintenance & softening incident No response from ph sensor to incident No response from turbidity sensor to incident No response from conductivity sensor to incident
EventLab picks up other events 19:01 17 m3/h (? kpa) Camminghaburen 13 m3/h 27 m3/h 31 m3/h (32 kpa) (39 kpa) 19:08 19:03 Carwash 19:02 Van Hall 19:04 Aldlanstate 10 m3/h 25 (34 kpa) Res. Greuns 18:58 Makro
Vitens Conclusions Added value of Optiqua Eventlab has been demonstrated based on: Laboratory Experiments Real Events Controlled Experiments in the V.I.P. Challenges near future: Optimize Sensor Placement IT Infrastructure Organisational Challenges Response Strategy www.smartwater4europe.com 26
Next Stage 27
Fast growing international customer base Optiqua s products have been developed in partnership with leading utilities Industry Forums Rapidly-growing international customer base for EventLab
Summary Water quality in distribution networks largely unknown and unmonitored Online monitoring & Smart Water Networks help managing challenges Refractive index One technology for monitoring the whole spectrum of dissolved components Meets requirements for system suitable for deployment throughout distribution networks where traditional monitoring technologies fall short Optiqua EventLab Validated and proven in operational networks (PUB, Vitens) Basis for WQ monitoring strategy Practical aspects of sensor network operation Sensor placement is critical for success Understanding effect operations on WQ variability is essential 29Operational and organisational integration
Thank you for your attention For more information Optiqua Technologies 82 WaterHub Hengelosestraat 705 Toh Guan Road East #C2-11/1 7521 PA Enschede Singapore 608576 The Netherlands info@optiqua.com 30 www.optiqua.com