New sensor technologies enable safer drinking water systems

A European research team has developed sensor technology to detect rapid changes in water quality following a deliberate contamination event, according to a release from the University in Southampton. The technology, dubbed “SecurEau” can be used to detect water quality changes, rapidly identifying the source, and includes protocols for cleaning and maintaining infrastructure.

The SecurEau project is funded by the European Commission with 12 research partners from six countries. The goal of the project is to make drinking water supply systems safer by developing technologies to identify threats. Sensors are installed directly into water pipes in multiple areas in order to monitor for both novel and existing threats. Differences in concentrations among sensors placed throughout a pipe network enable the calculation of threat point of origin.