Slovakia’s Bratislava Water Company (Bratislavská vodárenská spoločnosť – BVS) is responsible for ensuring reliable drinking water supply in and around the capital. Like many utilities, BVS needed better visibility into the operational status of its water distribution network—particularly in key zones such as District Metered Areas (DMAs) and at critical control points.

Traditionally, information about valve positions—whether open, closed, or in between—is gathered through manual inspection. This approach is time-consuming, labour-intensive, and prone to delays. Moreover, to manage the network efficiently and ensure stable pressure and flow, real-time data on hydraulic conditions such as pressure and flow at DMA inlets, pressure reducing valves, and other strategic points is increasingly necessary.

To address these needs, BVS sought a solution that could deliver accurate and timely operational data across the network while minimising the need for physical inspections.

In partnership with AVK Smart Water, BVS launched a three-month pilot project to digitise part of its water distribution system using battery-powered IoT sensors and the VIDI Cloud data visualisation platform.

The pilot involved the installation of VIDI Positioners on selected valves where knowledge of valve status was particularly important, such as boundary valves for DMAs and other key junctions in the network. In addition, pressure and flow sensors were installed in designated chambers to test new monitoring solutions.

All collected data was wirelessly transmitted and visualised via the VIDI Cloud software. AVK provided support for the software setup and access to the platform at no cost during the pilot, enabling BVS to start using and analysing its network data without barriers.

The pilot marked an important step in BVS’s digital transformation journey. The IoT-based monitoring system gave utility staff access to real-time data on valve positions, pressure, and flow, which can improve day-to-day operations and long-term planning.

Following a positive evaluation, BVS is continuing to deploy VIDI Positioners at other critical points in the network and is planning to expand the number of monitored valves to further enhance situational awareness across its supply zones. Additionally, the utility is assessing the wider rollout of pressure and flow sensors to build a more comprehensive understanding of network performance.

By shifting from manual inspections to automated data collection, BVS is laying the groundwork for a more efficient, data-driven, and resilient water distribution system.