Water Network Zoning and Flow Monitoring

Dividing a water distribution network into DMA monitoring zones enables utilities to move from reacting to failures towards systematic, data-driven network management. Continuous flow and pressure monitoring helps detect changes in the network at an early stage, identify areas with increased water losses and significantly reduce the time required to locate leaks.

SIA IPARS provides a complete solution – from network assessment and measurement point planning to equipment supply, installation, data configuration and ongoing technical support.

 

DMA Zoning

Large water distribution networks are divided into smaller, manageable monitoring zones. AQ flow meters or insertable AQ Flow sensors are installed at zone inlets and other selected network points and can be supplemented with pressure and temperature sensors where required.

AQ Flow sensors can be installed in pressurised pipelines without interrupting the water supply and provide bidirectional flow measurement.

The collected data is automatically transmitted to the AQ WEB platform, where individual measurement points as well as complete DMA zones can be monitored and analysed.

 

Day and Night Flow Analysis

One of the key indicators of network condition is minimum night flow.

Regular comparison of daytime and night-time consumption with historical data makes it possible to detect changes that may indicate a new leak or another network problem.

If an unexplained increase in flow is detected within a particular zone, leak detection activities can be focused on that specific part of the network instead of surveying the entire water distribution system.

This makes subsequent acoustic surveys, deployment of acoustic loggers and leak correlation significantly faster and more efficient.

 

 

Flow, Pressure and Other Parameter Monitoring

Depending on the application, the system can provide monitoring of flow, pressure, temperature, water level, turbidity and pH, as well as monitoring and control of pumps and other equipment.

The solutions are suitable for DMA zones as well as water abstraction points, reservoirs, pumping stations and individual network measurement points.

Systems can be installed at locations both with and without a permanent power supply.

 

 

Automatic Data Analysis and Alerts

AQ WEB allows threshold values to be configured and data from multiple measurement points to be analysed simultaneously. The system helps identify unexpected changes in flow or pressure and can automatically generate alerts when abnormal conditions are detected.

Where required, measurement intervals can be increased to obtain more detailed data during leak localisation and to perform step testing of the network.

Depending on the configuration, data transmission is available via mobile networks, NB-IoT, Wi-Fi or LoRaWAN.

 

 

Integration with Existing Systems

The monitoring system can operate as a stand-alone solution or be integrated with the customer's existing SCADA or other data management systems using available communication protocols and interfaces.

This allows utilities to retain their existing infrastructure while adding the measurement points required for more detailed network monitoring.

 

 

Pressure Monitoring

Excessive or unstable pressure increases stress on pipelines and can contribute to failures and water losses. Insufficient pressure, on the other hand, can indicate operational problems within the network.

Continuous pressure monitoring combined with flow data provides a better understanding of network behaviour and supports informed decisions regarding pressure optimisation and network rehabilitation.