D6.2. Report on emerging monitoring technologies for urban drainage systems

This document is the Deliverable 6.2 “Report on emerging monitoring technologies for urban drainage systems” of the Co-UDlabs project, funded under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 10100862.

Smart monitoring and IT are crucial for designing, operating, and upgrading UDS to protect and improve ecosystem quality. However, Europe lacks reliable information on UDS performance and pollutant emissions. Most currently installed sensors in UDS are related to hydraulic measurements, e.g., to detect overflows, measure levels in tanks and pipes, flows, etc., and do not give the necessary information on pollutants, ecological impacts of emissions, and asset condition.

This deliverableprovides a detailed report on the testing of eight emerging sensor technologies for monitoring pollutants, water quality, and the condition of UDS assets. We evaluated the sensors in both controlled laboratory conditions and real-world UDS settings. The testing aimed to assess the technical performance of these sensors in measuring parameters such as coliforms, flow, pollutants like ammonium and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and even sediment levels using LiDAR technology. In addition to evaluating the technical performance of the sensors, we also assessed their operational performance, including factors such as the need for maintenance and the complexity of the calibration procedure.

In this report, we outline the testing methodology, which includes a structured approach to sensor selection and evaluation. It provides detailed results on sensor performance, highlighting both promising outcomes and limitations. Several sensors, such as the LPICM and ISA, showed potential for real-world applications, demonstrating their ability to reliably monitor UDS parameters. However, not all sensors performed as expected, with some, like the PAH probe, failing to deliver reliable data on pollutants. These results underscore the importance of rigorous testing and validation, particularly in real-world conditions.
The deliverable also emphasizes the need for ongoing research and development in the field of UDS monitoring, as not all sensors are yet at the technological readiness level required for widespread implementation. We intend to use the findings from this work to guide future research projects and assist practitioners in making informed decisions when selecting sensors for UDS applications.

Furthermore, the datasets generated from this research are openly available1, contributing to the broader goal of fostering transparency and collaboration in the urban water management community. The findings also align with the strategic goals of the Co-UDlabs project, including the support of evidence-based management and the development of a more resilient and sustainable Water Smart Society.