Smart water network technology with the power to predict failures before they happen is being rolled out in four locations across South Australia, building on a successful trial in the Adelaide CBD.

The CBD trial, which went live in 2017, helped prevent 29 main breaks that otherwise would have impacted commuters and SA Water customers. Following an analysis of the water network, the trial will now be extended to Athelstone, North Adelaide, Penneshaw and Port Lincoln.

SA Water’s Chief Executive Roch Cheroux says he now hopes a trial expansion to more areas across the state can achieve similar results.

"We won’t be able to stop every leak or break, however positive results in the Adelaide CBD have proven the use of emerging and innovative technology can certainly help reduce the frequency and impact of these incidents,” Cheroux says.

"The type of technology being installed at each location differs depending on the issue we are trying to address. Athelstone, for example, has a relatively high rate of water main failures – the pipes move a lot due to some of the most reactive clay soils in Adelaide and there is high supply pressure as a result of the area’s topography.

"To help combat this, we’re installing a pressure modulating control station, as well as sensors to monitor the pressure and sound activity within the network. Data from the sensors will enable us to use the control station to remotely measure and maintain a stable water pressure in the network at varying periods of demand through the day.

"We’ll also be trialling the use of several sensors along a large trunk main on Gorge Road in Athelstone, with the specific aim of reducing the impact of breaks and leaks on commuters in a high traffic area.”

In total, 35 pressure sensors (including 15 transient loggers) 19 flow meters, 120 acoustic leak detection sensors and two water quality sensors will be progressively fitted across the four locations in coming months.

"In addition, about 300 smart meters already installed at residences and business in Penneshaw, will soon be operational and providing water consumption data to our local customers through a secure online portal,” Cheroux says.

SA Water is also trialling a smart wastewater network in Gawler and Stonyfell, and is one the first Australian water utilities to use the technology in a whole-of-suburb approach.

"In Stonyfell, the local network is being equipped with flow and level sensors to monitor the movement of sewage, with the aim of detecting pipe blockages and preventing overflows," Cheroux says.

"In Gawler, we’re installing odour detection sensors and weather stations, to better understand the behaviour of odour in this part of the network and how we can better manage the issue over time.

"In total for the wastewater network, there will be 88 level sensors, 88 odour detection sensors and 11 weather stations.”

SA Water is investing approximately $9 million in the roll-out of its smart water and wastewater networks.

Equipment across all six locations is planned to be transmitting near real-time information back to SA Water’s Operations Control Centre before the end of the year, with the full benefits expected to be realised by mid-2019.