The complexity of urban drainage systems and blockages may impose difficulties and dangers in performing an on-site inspection and detection of hazardous gases such as sulfur dioxide and methane in real-time, and even increase the risk of flooding associated with adverse weather conditions. The underground has been an extremely challenging environment for establishing a reliable wireless sensing network. Making use of the manhole cover as a part of the antenna of the communication module for transmitting sensor data, our team developed a first-to-its-kind wireless network for the smart drainage system to provide real-time information on drainage performance, the concentration of gases and water level.
Through the wireless signal transmission and big data analysis, the smart drainage system enables frontline staff to take proper and timely action on gas emission, illegal wastewater discharge, and blockage. The system offers a creative and intelligent solution to city’s drainage management and promotes smart city development in Hong Kong with minimal installation costs and software requirements.