Yarra Valley Water Tackles Leaks with Cutting-Edge IoT ‘Noise Loggers’
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Yarra Valley Water Addresses Leaks with IoT ‘Noise Loggers’
Quick Overview
- Yarra Valley Water (YVW) utilizes IoT sensors to identify water leaks.
- Acoustic monitoring devices document leak sounds in hydrants, valves, or pipelines.
- Data is wirelessly transmitted and evaluated through artificial intelligence.
- Digital transformation includes the adoption of KPMG’s asset intelligence platform, Arwin.
- Plans are in place to deploy digital water meters and network sensors throughout a 4000 square kilometre area.
- Integration aims to facilitate early fault detection and optimize asset management.
Yarra Valley Water Employs IoT for Leak Detection
As Melbourne’s leading retail water provider, Yarra Valley Water (YVW) has initiated an innovative initiative to enhance its leak detection prowess by incorporating a variety of Internet of Things (IoT) sensors. These sensors, provided by Aqua Analytics, are intended to track acoustic signals of leaks in hydrants, valves, and pipelines, allowing for a preemptive approach in recognizing and managing potential leaks.
The Functionality of IoT ‘Noise Loggers’
The acoustic monitoring devices capture the sounds associated with water leaks, which are subsequently sent wirelessly to an online platform. Here, YVW employs artificial intelligence to process the sound data by matching recorded sounds with an extensive database of known leak recordings. This sophisticated analytical function allows YVW to evaluate the likelihood of leaks, ensuring timely and accurate responses.
Incorporating Cutting-Edge Technologies
YVW’s recent tech advancements form part of a comprehensive digital transformation strategy. In 2021, YVW integrated KPMG’s asset intelligence platform, Arwin, into its water system. This platform offers a unified perspective on asset performance, aiding in making informed, data-driven choices.
Building on its digital transformation journey, YVW revealed plans last year to roll out digital water meters and network sensors throughout its vast 4000 square kilometre distribution network. The merger of these technologies seeks to deliver early fault alerts and enhance overall asset management.
Improved Leak Detection and Asset Oversight
Raghu Bharadwaj, YVW’s acting general manager for service futures, highlighted the significance of these technologies, stating, “We are better positioned to proactively detect and quickly resolve leaks, ensuring improved outcomes for our customers, community, and environment.”
The collaboration of digital meters, flow/pressure sensors, and Aqua Analytics’ offerings is aimed at maximizing efficiency. By utilizing macro-level data analytics provided by systems like Arwin, YVW can identify specific areas where Aqua Analytics’ acoustic monitoring services are most beneficial, thus optimizing both effort and expenditure.
Conclusion
Yarra Valley Water’s implementation of IoT ‘Noise Loggers’ for leak detection signifies a considerable leap in utility management. By embracing advanced technologies such as acoustic monitoring devices, digital water meters, and AI-enhanced data analysis, YVW strives to ensure prompt and precise leak detection, resulting in superior service and asset management.