~70% of people in German municipalities, must rely on groundwater. Therefore, well digitalisation is essential to assure sustainability.
Partner: German Water Management Company
Client: Water Authority
Technology used: NB-IoT
Water is a precious resource, and its efficient management is crucial for sustainable development. In this blog, we will explore a real-life use case where measuring water level in underground bores has significantly enhanced water resource management. By employing advanced monitoring technologies, this case study demonstrates the importance of accurate data collection and analysis in optimizing water usage and maintaining the health of groundwater ecosystems. The Water Authority oversees a vast region that heavily relies on groundwater as a primary water source. With the increasing demand for water and concerns about sustainability, the authority requested an underground bore monitoring system to track water levels across multiple bore sites. A leading water management company faced a pressing challenge in effectively managing its groundwater resources. With water scarcity on the rise and unpredictable weather patterns, they needed a reliable and reasonably feasible solution to monitor groundwater at different levels for performance monitoring and predictive maintenance. Traditional monitoring methods proved to be inadequate, and overpriced, leaving them with limited data, and poor signal strength and making it difficult to optimize irrigation practices and conserve both water and battery life efficiently. Deploying the sensor network with their existing infrastructure required careful planning and coordination.
Sensor Selection: Ensuring the correct measurement range and cable length is essential when considering multiple bores.
Sensor Placement and Installation: Proper placement and installation of sensors can be challenging, especially in complex bore configurations. Incorrect sensor positioning or inadequate installation can result in distorted readings or sensor damage, impacting data reliability.
Data Connectivity and Communication: Underground bores are often located in remote or inaccessible areas, making it challenging to establish reliable data connectivity. Connectivity issues can hamper real-time data transmission, leading to delays in monitoring and response times.
Additionally, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the sensor data was crucial for making precise water management decisions.
To address those challenges, they turned to Ellenex, a renowned IoT provider of advanced Groundwater Level Monitoring Solutions. Ellenex introduced them to their cutting-edge variant of the PLM2-N: NB IoT - Cat-M1 Operated Low Power Level Transmitter With Narrow Sensor Head for Liquid Media, with a narrow 2'' body, long enclosure to house the modified antenna and built-in temperature sensor, which was installed in strategic locations with different measurement ranges and cable lengths to accurately measure groundwater levels at regular intervals, whilst conserving battery life (use of high capacity battery) and conditionally transmitting the near real-time data to the Ellenex Software Platform via LTE CAT-M1 and having this information translated over to the water management company's platform via RESTful API using their custom SIM cards, based on which the network settings of the devices was pre-configured.
"Ellenex's new generation of level sensors for narrow groundwater wells, provides ease of installation, better connectivity, and significantly lower cost compared to the old technologies in the market", mentioned by the end user.
At Ellenex, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of technology to provide innovative solutions for the ever-evolving industrial landscape. Our high-performance PLM2-N for outdoor applications exemplifies this commitment. By eliminating uncertainties and inefficiencies, our solution empowers industries like this water Authority to optimize their operations and make data-driven decisions.
Ellenex's differentiator came into play during this phase. Our team of experts provided thorough guidance and technical support throughout the ruggedized installation and successful integration of the end-to-end remote monitoring solution.
We understood their unique custom requirements and tailor-made the solution to address their specific challenges, fostering a strong and lasting partnership.
With role-based access control mechanisms in place, different levels of users were granted view and read-only rights. By analyzing historical trends and patterns, the platform could predict water level fluctuations, helping them optimize irrigation schedules and prevent over-extraction of groundwater resources.
The results were astounding:
Enhanced Water Management: Near real-time groundwater level data enabled them to implement precise and demand-driven irrigation, reducing water wastage and improving crop yields.
Sustainable Practices: By monitoring groundwater levels closely, they could ensure sustainable utilization of water resources, supporting their commitment to environmental conservation.
Cost Savings: Optimal water management resulted in reduced operational costs, positively impacting their bottom line.
Optimized Human Labor: Previously, a considerable portion of the workforce was engaged in routine data collection. The integration of Ellenex pressure sensors liberated staff members from this monotonous task, empowering them to allocate their skills toward activities like maintenance and process refinement.
In conclusion, Ellenex's Groundwater Level Monitoring Solution proved to be a game-changer for water resource management. By leveraging innovative technology, they successfully overcame their groundwater monitoring challenges, ensuring efficient water usage, and contributing to a more sustainable water industry. This Water Authority's use case demonstrates the immense value of measuring water levels in underground bores for effective water resource management. By implementing advanced monitoring technologies and utilizing data analysis, they optimize water allocation, plan groundwater recharge initiatives, and safeguard the health of groundwater ecosystems. This case study serves as an inspiring example of how accurate and timely data collection, coupled with informed decision-making, can lead to sustainable water management practices, ensuring the availability of this vital resource for future generations. PLM2-N Datasheet: https://www.ellenex.com/products/plm2-n Solution datasheet: https://www.ellenex.com/solutions/remote-ground-water-level-monitoring