Online sensor system for resource-efficient water management

Purpose and goal

SENSATION-Online sensor systems for efficient water resource usage is a project that has focused on finding a comprehensive solution for the vital resource of water. The project has built a strong consortium and developed innovative sensor solutions coupled to a communication platform with advanced data management and services for online monitoring of water quality. Furthermore, the project to establish a test bed where sensor solutions and new services could be tested in the real environment of drinking water operators and water-intensive industries.

Results and expected effects

New sensor technology and innovative services have been developed. Unfortunately the economy limited the small Swedish sensor manufacturers´ commitment to the project. To develop new hardware, in this case the sensor technology is costly, takes time and the route to market is long. However, the requirements petitioners have been enthusiastic and hungry for new solutions with the potential to solve their problems. Both the services that the developed sensor technologies have been tested in the ´real world´, insights have been made which will be useful in further development.

Approach and implementation

Early in the project detection of microorganisms and oil were identified as priority areas for both drinking and industrial water. Developers with technology to match the needs were attached to the project. Then technologies and innovative services have been developed in a distributed test bed consisting of developers´ labs, drinking water plants and plants for the production of steel, paper and motors. In parallel, innovative services have been developed based on available open data, existing and the newly developed sensors. The approach has been technically successful.