Technology expands water pressure control and reinforces supply in Matão

Ensuring that water regularly reaches the taps of Matonians requires constant monitoring. To increase the safety and efficiency of the supply system, Águas de Matão has technological equipment installed in strategic points in the city. A practical example of this action are the 33 dataloggers, automatic devices that record and send data 24 hours a day about supply to the Operational Control Center (CCO), providing a complete overview of the pressure of treated water in the distribution network. The definition of the location of each of these sensors followed detailed technical planning, considering the topography of the city and the characteristics of the network, some points being higher or further away from the reservoirs. This continuous monitoring allows the concessionaire to monitor network pressure levels and ensure compliance with the technical parameters established for supply, contributing to the regularity of supply. The Operations and Services Manager at Águas de Matão, Rafael Jorge, details the impact of this technology on the work routine: "With the data sent to the CCO in real time, we are able to identify the water pressure at the points where they are installed and monitor the situation in the surrounding areas. This instantaneous reading also allows us to identify any fluctuation in supply immediately, prompting our team to go into the field and act quickly and accurately when necessary", he points out. Based on topographic studies of the network, the sensors were strategically positioned at high points and far from the reservoirs to guarantee water pressure control – Credit: Disclosure.

A practical example of the system's efficiency was an action in the Silvânia neighborhood at the beginning of this year. "The equipment indicated that the water pressure was reducing in the region, even before the population was impacted. With the alert in the Operations Center, the teams went to the field and identified a break in the network that had been caused by third parties. We were able to reestablish the normal flow with agility and efficiency, with the support of this technology", explains Guilherme Cyrino, Operations and Services coordinator at the concessionaire. The use of dataloggers is part of the Loss Program developed by the concessionaire. With the implementation of this equipment and other integrated actions, such as the installation of macro meters in wells and reservoirs and geophoning to identify underground leaks, Águas de Matão has continuously reduced these rates since taking over management of the municipality's sanitation system in 2014. Since the beginning of operation, there has been a reduction from 45% to around 28% in the rate of treated water losses. Current performance is below the national average, which is around 40%, and also meets the contractual target of a maximum of 30% losses by 2030. At the Operational Control Center (CCO), data received in real time is analyzed to identify water pressure and monitor supply conditions in regions neighboring the devices – Credit: Disclosure.

"Data intelligence transforms sanitation management because it brings us predictability and operational efficiency. When we invest in technology to monitor the network and combat losses, we are protecting the water resource. Our services are in the daily operation of the supply and sewage networks, in the daily lives of the entire population. Therefore, our commitment is to continue investing and modernizing these structures", says Daniel Mantovani, CEO of Águas de Matão.