Already in July 2018, Flanders’ Minister-President Geert Bourgeois has activated one of the first sensors of the “Internet of Water”. Five companies and research institutions – VITO, De Watergroep, Aquafin, imec & Vlakwa – participate in the 9-million-euro project. They have the ambition to turn Flanders into an international front runner in smart water management through the application of innovative digital technologies.
The numerous and widely spread sensors continuously measure water quantities and the quality of water in the soil, of ground and surface water as well as of purified wastewater. A self-learning software shall enable realistic predictions of important parameters. In doing so, it is possible, longer in advance, to predict when problems with water quality or availability may occur. This enables a faster coordination of the stakeholders (farms, inland shipping, water managers, etc.) to take measures to stabilize water supply and protect from flooding.
Further information: www.vito.be