Eawag - Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology

Spatially-distributed monitoring of the urban water cycle

The Urban Water Observatory (UWO) is a long-term initiative of ETH and Eawag that was implemented in 2016. Its goal is to establish a sensor network in Fehraltorf, allowing spatially-distributed monitoring of urban water cycle processes. It is a coordinated field research lab, a test bed, a sensor lab and a ‘hands-on classroom’ rolled into one. Our primary objectives are:

Conduct transdisciplinary environmental research within and at the interfaces of urban water systems
Answer pressing questions regarding future developments of water infrastructure
Increase transparency and public awareness for and around the urban water cycle

Details about research questions can be found -> here

A timeline of all activities so far can be found -> here

What impact do we have?

The UWO initiative has a wide-spread impact both externally and internally.

>> 90 publications and several PhD theses (until 2022)
Novel low-cost sensor network technology
Flexible SWW Datapool (& datValX)
SensorLab@Eawag
Several internal, national and international collaboration (e.g., Co-UDLabs)
Education
Unique open access data set

How and where are we active?

We monitor rainfall, flows, levels and other system states at high spatial density (higher than 1 sensor per hectare) within the sewer network, in rivers and groundwater using modern sensors and innovative wireless data transfer technologies (->LoRaWAN). With this work we aim to better understand the interrelation between rainfall (driver) and the corresponding response processes, including surface runoff, pipe flow, overflow activity, as well as impacts on the adjacent compartments, such as sewage treatment plant, groundwater, and rivers. We will furthermore extend our study's scope by monitoring water quality parameters (ph, conductivity, turbidity).

Overview on UWO monitoring locations (December 2018)

This unique approach generates spatially-differentiated information on flows of water and matter in an urban environment. Data and metadata are made publicly available for research, socially for residents living in Fehraltorf.

Through these measurements we gain a better insight into the spatio-temporal system dynamics, enabling us to optimise stormwater and wastewater handling towards a more efficient management and, most and foremost, a better water quality in aquatic ecosystems. Within the scope of this initiative we will test novel analysis techniques (-> DIMES II) and innovative monitoring strategies, such as real-time monitoring and control of system dynamics in urban catchments (LoRaMesh).

Future environmental engineers from ETH obtain insight into the set-up and operation of the Urban Water Observatory. As part of the forward-thinking education at ETH, students learn how to use modern monitoring and analysis techniques with a unique data set.

Who do we collaborate with?

Setting up such a sensor network would not be possible without the support from the municipality of Fehraltorf and its residents. We receive further support from surrounding communities, as well as local enterprises in various ways. For this, we would like to express our sincere thanks to all supporters!

02.04.2024

In 2024, UWO is hosting two transnational access projects, both of which have secured funding through the H2020 Co-UDLabs initiative.

The first project, STARR-ING, led by a consortium of 6 partners with RPTU Kaiserslautern leading the way, will utilize UWO's data to investigate the essential spatio-temporal resolution of rainfall data for urban hydrological applications.

Furthermore, the second project, spearheaded by the University of Exeter and involving 4 partners, will explore the benefits of sewer heat recovery. Both projects have started in recent weeks.