Drinking water traceability: innovation making water even safer

Safety, Traceability, Response

In the food and beverage sector, traceability involves mapping out a product's journey through the various production, processing and distribution stages. Applied to drinking water, this principle is essential for providing quality monitoring at all points throughout the network.

In order to address this issue, Veolia Water has developed an innovative real-time water traceability service, leveraging our operational knowledge of network combined with recent developments in information technology and new network mathematical models.

Using a new generation of multi-parameter probes called KAPTA™3000 and flow modelling, the system can identify and analyse the pressure, conductivity, chlorine level and other characteristics of the different water volumes as they exit the production plant, as well as real-time track changes in the network.

The software can then centralise all data relative to the water route from the plant to the customer's tap and cross reference different network data to immediately respond to issues. This network data includes:

• roadwork
• maintenance activities
• analysis results
• customer complaints
• warnings transmitted by the probes
• modelling of the path taken by water.

The probes positioned throughout the network transmit the parameter measurements to the central processing system using GSN and the Modbus Protocol.

Using signal processing techniques, the central system can then recognise fluctuations in these parameters and identify the various types of water.

How does the KAPTA™ 3000 work?

The multi-parameter water quality KAPTA™3000 probe is installed directly on water mains to measure various key parameters:

• Chlorine (0-2.5 ppm)
• Pressure (0 - 15 bar)
• Temperature (0 - 40C)
• Conductivity (50 - 1300 μS/cm)

The probes can be installed on any pipe larger than DN50, whether steel or plastic, with a minimal insertion depth. The KAPTA™ 3000 probe comes with a power/communication box and does not require on-site calibration. It is selfsufficient and operational instantaneously.

The probes positioned throughout the network transmit the parameter measured to the central processing system using GSM communication.

The data transmitted by the KAPTA™3000 probe can be visualised using a web-based interface developed by Veolia, called FUSION.

FUSION is a user friendly interface that enables you to:

• remotely access the data
• export data in suitable format
• localise your probes on GIS
• trigger alarm and receive SMS and emails when water is out of spec
• give and manage access to the software for third parties

Data can also be uploaded on your SCADA.

Water traceability - creating value

For the operator:

• less risk of non-compliance
• rapid and precise response to consumer and health authority requests
• reduced impact on any health issues
• possibility for planning and responding to new regulations.

For the consumer:

• guaranteed better quality water and more transparent information
• answers to questions about water quality
• improved safety systems, especially where water quality is crucial (hospitals, day-care centres, restaurants)
• improved safety and response time.

For elected representatives:

• improved safety and response time
• quality and transparency commitments
• fewer complaints
• improved brand image thanks to a more modern and reliable water distribution service.

To find out more about Veolia Water's Smart Water Services please email smartservices@veoliawater.com.au.

Case studies

• Shanghai World Expo, China (73 million visitors between May-October 2010): Veolia Water installed more than 100 KAPTA 3000 sensors along 40km of pipes, with all data received in a control centre. This helped operators monitor water quality, measure consumption and monitor leakage and key parameters along the network.
• Rambouillet, France (serving 25,000 residents): Veolia Water installed a total of 32 KAPTA probes - 16 to control water quality in the network and 16 to monitor sensitive consumer areas. During a routine maintenance operation, the sensors identified a decline in chlorine concentration at a reservoir. This risk was quickly identified and managed by the operator, preventing potential harm to the community.