The infiltration and inflow (I/I) of non-sewer water into the urban sewer system is a critical issue for the long-term management of urban water resources and water infrastructure assets, which can have serious impacts on cities and sewer systems in terms of environmental, social, and economic impacts. In this regard, measuring the I/I rate can help to improve the rehabilitation strategies and identify the locations of the inflows to eliminate the sources of I/I.

The purpose of this project is to improve the handling of wastewater by advanced infiltration detection technologies coupled with leak detection (from drinking water pipes) technologies in an integrated system, to reduce wastewater treatment plant energy consumption and improve the management of the wastewater stream.

To achieve this goal, two ultrasonic flowmeters were successfully installed in the studied area in LL Bodø. These meters work by simultaneously measuring the flow rate and height of the water to determine the volume of water. The recorded data is transmitted to a dashboard for storage and further processes. In the next step, a smart system for detection and leakage control in water supplies by connecting data from sewer flowmeters and water meters in the water supply-wastewater chain will be developed.

Nowadays, water companies are strongly motivated to identify and quantify I/I and evaluate the consequences for the operation of sewer and wastewater systems in a sustainable manner. Therefore, the findings/outcome of this project will be of great value; especially, for a country like Norway which spends EUR 250 million on average on the total annual cost of sewer network renewal.