SeeLive's Air Gap Sensor Prevents Sewer Floods

The Indian startup SeeLive Technologies has developed a sensor that could prevent sewer floods before they spill onto city streets. The device, described as small enough to fit in a palm, constantly monitors drains and water pipelines using a unique air gap design. This sensor’s key feature: it never touches sewage.

SeeLive's Air-Gap Sensor Design

SeeLive's air-gap sensor is a sophisticated tool engineered to detect sewer-level anomalies that could lead to dangerous floods. The sensor is typically mounted at the top of a manhole, away from corrosive sewage. To determine the water level in a pipe, these sensors emit a sound pulse and measure the time it takes for the echo to return. The time interval directly corresponds to the water level, providing an accurate, non-intrusive measurement. The air gap design prevents clogging, which is the primary cause for water level measurement anomalies. Besides monitoring the water level, the sensor also calculates the rate of rise, detecting when levels are increasing faster than normal due to obstruction. To address the problem that normal sewage water rise, SeeLive uses rate of rise anomaly detection. This involves comparing the pace of water level increase with typical flow patterns. When the system detects an abnormal rate of rise, it sends this information to a central dashboard to notify city officials. And if the system detects an even more severe issue — like a dangerous blockage that can't be cleared by the authorities — then it will also trigger a physical red warning light on the street-level manhole.

Sewer monitoring in a flood-prone world

Climate change has increased the frequency of intense storms in recent years, making cities more vulnerable to floods. These extreme weather events put cities at higher risk. For example, the third week of August 2022, the federal agency for disaster management in India warned of sewer floods from drains and pipelines. However, SeeLive’s technology offers a proactive solution. By monitoring sewer systems in real-time, SeeLive can help cities prevent sewer floods, keeping streets clean and safe. Cities can deploy targeted maintenance crews to clear out specific pipes before a flood occurs. This approach stops the flood from ever spilling onto the streets, minimizing damage and health risks.

How SeeLive detects anomalous flows in sewer systems

SeweLive sensors convey a sound pulse down the drainage pipe. By measuring the time it takes for the echo to return, the system calculates the water level. The sensor never comes into contact with the sewage, thanks to its innovative air gap design. Measuring the water level is only a starting point. The sensor goes a step further by calculating the rate of rise, comparing it to normal flow patterns. If the rate is abnormal, it triggers an alarm. This anomaly detection helps predict blockages that could lead to a flood before it's too late. The sensor's setup and monitoring capabilities make it an ideal tool for preventing sewer floods.

Urban sewers: key for zero waste cities

Urban sewers play a crucial role in maintaining the sanitation and health of cities. However, blockages or overflows can lead to significant issues, including flooding, environmental pollution, and health risks. However, these sensors can help cities achieve zero waste by reducing overflows. If blockages go undetected, the resulting overflow can lead to safety and environmental issues. By detecting these problems early on, the risk of harmful sewer spills can go down.

The rate of rise anomaly

The sensor does more than just measure water levels. It computes the rate at which the water level is rising and compares it to typical patterns. This analysis is crucial because a sudden increase in water levels can indicate a blockage downstream. When the system identifies an anomaly, it instantly sends this trend data to a central dashboard and triggers a physical red warning light on the manhole cover, alerting maintenance crews to the specific location of the blockage.

Preventing sewer overflows means trusting new technology

It’s not hard to get cracking on a new system— especially one for preventing floods. However, the most important thing is to ensure the system is full proof. It’s easy to clear clogged-pipes but there are no sensors, yet, to detect anomalies in the rate of rise. The fact that SeeLive technologies can monitor water pipelines 24×7 enables the city authorities to get a deeper understanding of water flows and blockages. They will be able to minimize pollution, flooding, and manual inspections.