Description:

Implementing a city-wide sensor network to measure real-time water consumption, power requirement and water quality in the Las Vegas area via innovative technology. Collected information will be centralized into a data platform to allow water utilities to access, analyze and develop a system that able to leverage system distribution pressures, temperatures, water quality information (e.g., pH, chlorine residual, turbidity, TTHM formation), and online customer consumption data, to form operational strategies beyond what a conventional hydraulic model can.

Challenges:

• Accurately deploying water flow and water quality sensors and built their capability for wireless communication with a central data base.
• Effectively integrating computer aided data storage and analysis, along with capability for GIS interface
• Implementing the system, generation of a real-time platform, training the user(s)
• Simulating optimum power and water quality management

Major Requirements:

• Access to real‐time data of the use of power within water utilities
• Deployment of innovative sensors within distribution grids for real time data on water quality
• Development of integrated computation system to simulate optimum power and water quality
• Development of real time water quality alert system within distribution
• Run pilot for six months

Performance Targets/ Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

• Reducing average reservoir water age and daily average water storage
• Decrease overall TTHM formation
• Eliminate facility/demand charge violation due to superfluous pump
• Reduce average pumping station cost/hydraulic horse power
• Reduce in unaccounted for water
•
Measurement Methods:

• Average reservoir water age and storage
• TTHM concentration
• Facility/demand charge violation
• Average pumping station cost/hydraulic horse power
• Water attributed to leaks

Standards/Interoperability:

• Requires interoperable GPS, remote detection, wireless intercommunication interfaces
• Data analysis and modeling for the system

Replicability, Scalability, and Sustainability:

• Data generation, collection and analysis are not unique to Las Vegas and can be replicated and scaled up in multiple cities/communities.
• The system needs the initial support of local water utilities; a sustainable revenue stream will be created from savings in power consumption resulting from this proposal.

Project Impacts:

• Aid to manage water quality failures within the distribution system
• Improve average response to water leaks/drinking water quality failures
• Save energy costs for utilities and water customers
• Improve environment and water conservation practices

Demonstration/Deployment Phases:

Phase I Pilot/Demonstration June 2016:

Real-time working application on pilot scale, two areas within Las Vegas Valley with population 5,000-10,000 inhabitants will be chosen for pilot scale trials.

Phase II Deployment June 2017:
Real-time working application tied into Las Vegas City.

Team Information: Team Lead: Kumud Acharya, Ph.D., <[email protected]>, Chief Technology Officer, WaterStart