Optiqua deploys 80 EventLab water quality sensors for Vitens smart supply network, the Netherlands
Dutch-Singapore supplier of sensor technology Optiqua announced an order from Vitens, the largest drinking water supply company in the Netherlands, to deliver a network of 80 EventLab sensors.
The EventLab network will be part of Vitens' development of the world's first large scale real time water quality and water quantity monitoring system for their 9000 km long scheme of pipelines in the province of Friesland.
This year Vitens intends to install a total of 200 sensors to provide a 24 hour per day real time insight in what is happening in its network. This way Vitens can anticipate on disruptions in the water supply, rather than wait for customers to complain.
EventLab sensor signals changes in light relection in the continuous water flow.
Real-time water quality data
“It is our ambition to pro-actively inform our customers concerning issues in the network", explains Eric van der Kooij, project manager responsible for the development of the Vitens intelligent distribution network in Friesland.
"Until recently it was not possible to monitor water quality in real-time. The network of EventLab sensors developed by Optiqua provides us with real-time water quality information, 24 hour per day, and thus gives us a tool to solve issues as they occur and to, if necessary, inform our customers in a timely manner", adds Van der Kooij.
Network of optical sensors
At the heart of the EventLab network is an optical lab-on-chip sensor with a generic sensitivity for water quality changes.
Besides the network of sensors, the EventLab system consists of a data transmission infrastructure and centralised data processing and visualisation software where data algorithms continuously analyse information from the sensor network for abnormal water quality changes.
According to Jos-Willem Verhoef, managing director of Optiqua, there has been an intense collaboration with Vitens on the practical implementation of our EventLab system in their water distribution system.
"Seeing Vitens take the step towards large scale operational deployment", says Verhoef, "making them the first in the world to realise large-scale real-time quality monitoring of the drinking water within the network, is fantastic” according to.
KWR Watercycle research institute developed a 1:1,000 scale model of the Frisian water supply network to simulate underground occurances and test the data output of all sensors.
Tested at demonstration site
Since two years Vitens uses 2,300 km of non-chlorinated water supply network as a demonstration site for the research and development of innovative technology, including the optimal use of real-time sensors with which to monitor water quality and detect leakages.
Several advanced water quality sensors have been tested, such as Optiqua's EventLab, but also sensors for water hammer and pipe burst detection.
To locate events faster, a geographical operations dashboard is used to displaying customer interactions (phone calls, tweets) and changes in water quality and demand.
This news item is based on a press release published by Optiqua (downlaod as pdf).
Read also on this website
● Optiqua Technologies awarded EU grant to develop AquaSHIELD online water monitoring, 11 February 2015
● Optiqua and PUB Singapore to develop next generation rapid sample analysis for MiniLab, 5 May 2015
● Vitens wins two WEX international water innovation prizes in Madrid, 22 February 2013
● Vitens signs agreement with PUB Singapore for pilot with online sensor network, 14 July 2011
More information
Optiqua
Enschede, the Netherlands
+31 53 483 63 77
and
Singapore
+65 68 96 91 96
www.optiqua.com
Vitens Solutions
Utrecht, the Netherlands
+31 88 884 55 01
www.vitens.nl
Presentation of the Vitens innovation playground, a 2,300 km non-chlorinated drinking water supply network, that is also available to third parties.