Watercare’s smart sensors prevent wastewater overflow in Ōtara

A smart sensor recently installed in Ōtara’s wastewater network has already prevented its first overflow, marking an early success for Watercare’s $12 million Smart Network Programme.

The sensor – which detects flow levels in the wastewater network – was installed as part of Watercare’s rollout of 5000 sensors over the next year.

Watercare smart networks manager David Moore says Aucklanders are already seeing the benefits of this innovative investment.

“Just a few days after a sensor was installed on Lovegrove Crescent in Ōtara, it detected a blockage forming 40 metres away.

"Our crew responded the same day the anomaly was spotted, lifted the manhole lid and began flushing the blockage immediately.

“Without this sensor we would have been responding to an overflow instead of preventing one. It’s great to have this early win.”

Pictured above: The build-up of fats caused by the blockage is visible inside the manhole.

Moore says the smart technology enables Watercare to collect real-time data, detect issues such as blockages, and take proactive action before they escalate into overflows.

“This smart technology is empowering us to be more proactive addressing issues in our network before they escalate into overflows.

“It’s allowing us to learn more about how our systems behave, be alerted to tidal ingresses and developing blockages, and monitor the performance of our pump stations and wastewater network.”

So far, 600 sensors have been installed across Auckland, including in Glendowie, Ōtara, Onehunga, Warkworth and Massey.

“Over the coming months, we’ll continue the rollout in Waiuku, Henderson, Massey, Glen Eden, Te Atatū, Swanson, and Mairangi Bay,” Moore says.

“It’s great to see that even early in the rollout, the sensors are proving to be highly reliable and robust. They’re a smart investment – helping us gain valuable insights, prevent overflows, and better understand what makes Auckland’s wastewater network tick.”