Implementing a Smart Sewer System to Optimize Capacity to Reduce Surface Flooding and Sewer Overflows

Utilities and municipalities are facing competing priorities to protect human health, water quality, and private and public infrastructure within their communities. Smart sewer approaches can maximize the capacity of existing infrastructure and reduce capital expenditures using sensors, communications, and real-time controls. While smart sewer projects have been gaining more acceptance and have documented lower costs and improved management of overflows and flooding, there remains a lack of industry-wide guidance to help utilities identify opportunities and implement smart sewer approaches in their systems, especially with more and more applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques.

 

This project will provide a comprehensive evaluation of experiences, best practices, and costs of smart sewer approaches. The team will develop a utility-facing practical guide to help utilities identify opportunities and implement smart sewers. By focusing on smart sewer systems, this project can be applied to utilities of any size. Both separate and combined systems can benefit from the outcome of this research. Utilities and municipalities will have information, strategies, and tactics to scope their capital and operations’ programs related to smart sewer systems, tailor their control strategies for sewer overflows, and meet regulatory requirements. These related efforts are expected to reduce treatment costs and protect human health and the environment.