A smart sewer asset information model to enable an ‘Internet of Things’ for operational wastewater management

TLDR

Real‑time flooding prediction is essential for UK sewerage network operation, and IoT‑enabled smart infrastructure offers a chance to capture and report sewer condition data in real time. The study aims to design and develop a prototype Smart Sewer Asset Information Model (SSAIM) for an existing sewerage network. SSAIM uses the IFC4 open BIM format and distributed smart sensors to monitor and report sewer asset performance in real time. The authors present a sensor‑data analysis approach that enables real‑time flooding prediction.

Abstract

Real-time prediction of flooding is vital for the successful future operational management of the UK sewerage network. Recent advances in smart infrastructure and the emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT), presents an opportunity within the wastewater sector to harness and report in real-time sewer condition data for operation management. This study presents the design and development of a prototype Smart Sewer Asset Information Model (SSAIM) for an existing sewerage network. The SSAIM, developed using Industry Foundation Class version 4 (IFC4) an open neutral data format for BIM, incorporates distributed smart sensors to enable real-time monitoring and reporting of sewer asset performance. Results describe an approach for sensor data analysis to facilitate the real-time prediction of flooding.