Real-time sewer observations turn drainage planning from model-led estimates into evidence-based investment decisions.
The big idea
CASE STUDY PRESENTATION
Aarhus uses sewer IoT data to target climate adaptation
Aarhus Water uses IoT sewer sensors and weather data to prioritize drainage upgrades and get more climate adaptation value.
Case Study
AdaptationWaterImplementation & operationsPhysical/technical solutionsResource efficiencyEconomic development
- 10-20% more adaptation value
- Lower risk of wrong investments
- Real-time system capacity insight
So what?
1
The Challenge
Aarhus must continually renovate, upgrade, and climate-proof a large rainwater and wastewater system. Priorities have traditionally relied mainly on asset information and mathematical models. The challenge is to add real operational evidence so money is spent where it delivers the most climate protection and service value.
2
The Plan
Aarhus combines IoT sensors, weather data, data integration, and hydraulic analysis to create a stronger investment basis. The plan is to monitor how the sewer system actually behaves, then use those insights to prioritize and dimension climate adaptation and renovation projects.
Step 1
Define the hydraulic and hydrological questions that matter most for climate adaptation, renovation, and system operation.
Step 2
Install IoT sensors across the rainwater and wastewater network to collect simple, stable, continuous flow observations.
Step 3
Connect sensor data to a platform and combine it with weather data using big data and analytics methods.
Step 4
Use observations to identify capacity, problem areas, inflow, and the real performance of the sewer system.
Step 5
Prioritize and design investments where the data shows the greatest effect and lowest risk of misinvestment.
3
The Results
10-20%
Higher effect of climate adaptation, renovation, and sewer renewal investments.
14-28 mio. kr.
Estimated added annual value from better investment decisions.
250
Current IoT measuring points in the rainwater and wastewater system.
7,500 kr./yr
Approximate annual total cost of ownership per measuring point.
Aarhus Water expects real-time observations to increase the effect of investments by 10-20%. Against an annual investment level of DKK 140 million, that equals DKK 14-28 million in added value per year. The same data can reduce overflows, reveal unused capacity, support smaller infrastructure dimensions, and lower the risk of wrong investments.
4
Key Lessons
Real-time observations can make drainage investments more precise than relying only on network data and models. The case shows that value comes from combining sensors, weather data, analytics, and local hydraulic expertise.
- Models led prioritization
- Limited real-time insight
- Risk of over-dimensioning
Before
- Continuous sewer data
- Targeted upgrades
- Smaller, smarter assets
After
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