Advancing Water Network Sustainability through Smart Utility Approaches: Case Studies and Lessons Learned (WRF 4917)

This study delves into the transformative potential of Smart Water Network (SWN) technologies and their pivotal role in mitigating water main breaks and leaks. A smart utility approach emerges as a tool in managing pressure and flow dynamics within distribution systems by integrating real-time data from sensors with advanced information and communication technologies. The project, sponsored by the Water Research Foundation (WRF), recently culminated in SWN pilots across a spectrum of utility sizes. These case studies, conducted in both large and small utilities, not only validated the efficacy of SWN technologies, but also provided a wealth of invaluable lessons and insights. This paper will highlight detailed case studies from four utilities involved in the WRF project, namely, the City of Lakewood, California; the Water and Wastewater Authority of Wilson County, Tennessee; Sydney Water in Sydney, Australia; and the Water Corporation of Western Australia in Perth, Australia.