Test & measurement W


ater is the most common chemical compound on Earth, covering more than two-thirds of its surface. This


is also why Earth is referred to as the blue planet. At the same time, most of this water cannot simply be used as desired, which is why the creation of a solid and reliable water supply also always requires efficient processing of wastewater, groundwater and surface water. Despite its abundance, water is a finite


resource and we need to be able to work with what we have of it, regardless of how many people there are on the planet. Approximately 2.1 billion people around the world still do not have access to safe drinking water, and more than 800 million do not even have a basic water supply system. In addition, polluted and contaminated water continues to cause repeated outbreaks of epidemics, and the global ecosystem is increasingly coming under attack from water pollution. This means that it is of crucial importance to all of us to not only safeguard water supplies but also ensure the sustainable utilisation of this most valuable resource, regardless of the application in question. Ensuring a reliable supply of drinking water and implementing effective environmental protection measures are not the only challenges associated with water management, as the illustration below shows. Indeed, if we do not come up with solutions to everyday problems, we will hardly be able to address the major issues. Yet we must address all challenges large and small if we are to continue to benefit from water in every conceivable way. Efficient and effective water supply and monitoring solutions are needed everywhere around the world – and these solutions must be based on accurate and reliable measurement technology. Water losses generally occur when burst pipes go undetected or when cracks form in pipes, although leaky taps are also a frequent cause. This constant dripping in numerous households is hard to identify, and the losses tend to become apparent only after


Reducing drinking water losses


comparisons are made between water supply figures and the water consumption data registered by meters. Local governments often have no other choice but to pay the cost differences or pass them on to consumers. Even in a small water distribution network, a loss


reduction of just a few per cent can lead to savings of tens of thousands of Euros. Water losses in major cities can quickly reach six or seven figures. It therefore pays to invest in intelligent measurement technology, without which it is virtually impossible to detect water losses at an early stage. One company that offers such measurement technology is i2O, which links together sensor heads from Keller to create smart network solutions. Here, pressure transmitters provide accurate measurements for relevant points in the pipeline network. The network management system sends the processed data in predefined intervals to various nodes, which then forward the data to a control centre. The control centre analyses the data, identifies anomalies and then looks for the causes. Control parameters can be adjusted remotely if necessary. Teams of technicians only have to be sent out if defective components need to be repaired. Keller has been supplying sensor heads for installation in i2O data loggers since 2008. In 2012, the two companies began cooperating extensively on the development of a new range of i2O pressure loggers. The product’s success is due to not only the technological advances that have been made but also the close collaboration


50 March 2019 Instrumentation Monthly


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