Sydney Water has invested $27m to install sensors to prevent blockages across its wastewater network

Sydney Water has invested $27 million to install thousands of sensors across its Greater Sydney and Illawarra wastewater network in a bid to prevent overflows into the environment.

Sydney Water worker installing an IoT sensor.

Sydney Water has invested $27 million by installing almost 19,000 sensors across its Greater Sydney and Illawarra wastewater network in a bid to prevent overflows into the environment.

As part of its ‘Internet of Things’ wastewater blockage detection program, launched in 2019 and targeting the highest environmentally risk locations, 660 blockages have already been prevented and saved Sydney Water almost $20m.

Sydney Water Head of Operational Technology, Craig Earl said it’s a “proactive approach [to] maintaining and monitoring” the system.

The sensors provide early warning alerts of potential blockages across 4,600km of pipes with suburbs across Sydney, including the Sutherland Shire heavily targeted.

With Sydney Water operating more than 26,000km of wastewater network, it is always looking for innovative ways to ensure the protection of public health and the environment.

“This is a really important program, because without this detection, we don’t know what’s going on in our system,” Mr Earl said.

Sydney Water Head of Operational Technology, Craig Earl. Photo: Sydney Water

An IoT sensor. Photo: Sydney Water

“Monitoring in real time means we can detect issues quickly and have field staff onsite normally within 1-2 hours to fix any problems before they become an issue.

“Sydney Water has placed installed sensors across our network, particularly around waterways to protect the sensitive environments”.

Since the programs inception, it has generated more than 19,000 alerts and raised 1500 work orders.

Blockages in the network are commonly caused by tree roots and other vegetation, along with items flushed down the toilet or sink, including wet wipes being one of the leading culprits along with fats and oils.

The program is on track for completion by June with roughly 6000 sensors remaining to be installed.

Top 10 suburbs with total sensors installed:

North Parramatta – 526

Turramurra – 519

Loftus – 473

Engadine – 450

Gymea – 362

Bangor – 349

Miranda – 349

Menai – 315

West Lindfield – 314

Cremorne – 283