In close collaboration with their distributor in Málaga, AVK Válvulas has supplied control valves and pressure sensors to the municipal water utilities of Alhaurín de la Torre. These solutions support network optimisation, help prevent network failures, and contribute to reducing water loss.
Digitalisation and automation of the municipal water network
In response to ongoing drought, the water utilities of Alhaurín de la Torre are preparing a project investing over €500,000 in the digitalisation and automation of valves within the municipal water network. This initiative will enable real-time monitoring of network conditions and effective control of pressure levels throughout the network.
Most leaks are caused by pipe bursts arising from excessive pressure or pressure fluctuations, which continuously expand and contract the pipelines, leading to fatigue fractures and water loss. Pressure management is therefore considered one of the most beneficial and cost-effective leakage management activities.
Digital solutions for the supply network
AVK Smart Water solutions for pressure monitoring include the option to reduce pressure levels, for instance, during nighttime when water demand is considerably lower than during the day. This helps lower the risk of system failures and contributes to reducing water loss.
Pressure reducing valves
The project implementation involved the installation of AVK dual stage pressure reducing control valves, configured with one setting for daytime and another for nighttime, managed by a time-based controller. Additionally, IoT-based pressure sensors were installed downstream of the valves, allowing continuous monitoring of the pressure.
IoT sensors for pressure measurement
VIDI Pressure sensors are battery-operated sensors utilising the wireless NB-IoT (Narrowband Internet of Things) technology, which ensures high transmission performance, extended battery life and secure data communication.Data monitoring and analysis
The AVK Smart Water software platform, VIDI Cloud, includes an option for alarm dispatching, allowing operators to receive alerts via email or the Telegram app if pressure passes custom-set thresholds. This empowers the water utility to respond instantly or plan preventive actions, thereby minimising water loss in the event of leaks and optimising the overall maintenance of the distribution network.In the future, the water utilities of Alhaurín de la Torre will have their own asset management platform and will easily be able to integrate data collected by the pressure sensors. Thanks to the API (Application Programming Interface) embedded in the sensor SIM card, data from AVK sensors can be easily integrated into any third-party system for monitoring and further analysis.
AVK products delivered to the project
- 16 pcs AVK dual stage pressure reducing control valves, DN80–DN200
- 26 pcs VIDI Pressure sensors using NB-IoT wireless technology
- VIDI Cloud software package, including alarm dispatching
AVK Smart Water solutions
AVK Smart Water develops digital solutions for valves and hydrants that enable registration of changes in the hydraulic setup in the distribution network and send the data directly to any preferred IT system.
Learn more about AVK Smart Water solutions
