How satellite monitoring improves water network management?

Deforming roads, water networks under stress, urban infrastructures increasingly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Extreme weather events and constantly shifting clay soils are a daily challenge for modern cities.

How can we ensure more resilient and secure networks? 
Utilities face increasingly complex challenges in managing water and sewage networks. The adoption of satellite data enables continuous infrastructure monitoring, early identification of anomalies and instability, and optimization of maintenance planning - improving operational efficiency and sustainability. 

The challenge: infrastructure under stress 
Water networks are increasingly exposed to risks from soil movements, climate change, and variations in water resource availability. Without the right tools, utilities rely on reactive maintenance, intervening only after failures occur - resulting in high costs and operational inefficiencies. 
An advanced monitoring system enables a predictive approach, identifying issues before they escalate and optimizing resource use.

The value of earth observation
The use of  Earth Observation technologies for infrastructure management is rapidly growing. In 2022, the sector generated over €250 million in revenue, with €50 million in Europe. More than half of this revenue comes from monitoring existing buildings and infrastructures for maintenance purposes. 

Satellite observation enables:  
 

• Reduced inspection costs and time through continuous monitoring;  
• Improved network reliability by preventing unexpected failures;  
• Support for sustainable water resource management by quickly identifying anomalies and inefficiencies.
   

The solution: Rheticus Network Alert 
Rheticus Network Alert, a patented service by Planetek Italia, provides strategic information through satellite monitoring, allowing users to:  
 

• Detect ground movements that may compromise pipelines;  
• Prioritize predictive maintenance interventions on sewage networks;  
• Analyze soil moisture and vegetation to identify potential issues.  

With over 500,000 kilometers of networks monitored worldwide, the service offers global and detailed coverage for effective infrastructure monitoring.  

Beyond practice, training for the future: learning to leverage earth observation 
To promote and enhance the use of Earth Observation, Planetek offers two free training programs designed to support utilities and engineering professionals:  
 

•  EO-Learning – An online platform with remote sensing courses led by industry experts. For utilities, it provides a dedicated learning path with webinars, case studies, extra resources, and podcasts, offering practical tools to apply satellite data in infrastructure management. Sign up here
   
• EO Academy  – A free training program for engineers and technicians, offering hands-on workshops on using satellite data to monitor and improve infrastructure stability. Unlike EO-Learning, EO Academy includes in-person sessions hosted at companies and public institutions, offering a direct and interactive learning experience. This initiative positions us as a reference point for those seeking to harness EO for more effective network control, enhancing operational efficiency and decision-making capabilities.  

Ecomondo and the Lorenzo Cagnoni award 
At the 2024 edition of Ecomondo, Rheticus Network Alert was honored with the prestigious Lorenzo Cagnoni Award for Innovation, a recognition for the most innovative solutions in Environmental Monitoring and Earth Observation.  
This award celebrates our commitment to developing cutting-edge technologies for more efficient and sustainable infrastructure management.  

Indeed, the adoption of Earth Observation tools in the design and management of water and sewer infrastructures marks a real revolution for the integrated water cycle sector. Solutions like Rheticus Network Alert show how satellite monitoring can become an essential support for the safety and sustainability of networks. With innovative tools and specialized training, water and wastewater network managers can face future challenges with greater awareness and precision.  


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