Utility company Halsnæs Forsyning, located in northern Zealand, Denmark, aimed to improve its operational efficiency and service quality by gaining better insight into conditions across its water supply network. Until recently, monitoring was largely dependent on manual inspections, making it difficult to respond quickly to customer enquiries, identify pressure irregularities, or track the use of fire hydrants and water levels in section wells.

In the case of pressure-related issues, staff often had to investigate without a clear indication of the source, leading to time-consuming site visits that sometimes failed to detect any network-related problems. The utility sought a digital monitoring solution that could improve real-time visibility, reduce unnecessary inspections, and integrate seamlessly into its existing IT systems.

Halsnæs Forsyning partnered with AVK Smart Water to deploy NB-IoT-based sensors that monitor water pressure, hydrant activity, and well water levels across the distribution network. The solution was designed to meet three core requirements:

1. Wireless battery-powered sensors capable of operating in a wide geographic area without a connection to the power grid.

2. Signal strength strong enough to transmit data through cast iron and composite well covers.

3. Full integration with Halsnæs Forsyning’s existing IT systems for centralised monitoring and data use.

The pilot phase involved the installation of five pressure sensors in section wells, including wells with cast iron and composite lids. Following reliable performance, an additional 16 sensors were installed, providing coverage across 21 key section wells. The data is transmitted automatically to the utility’s central system, where it can be compared with preset pressure thresholds to quickly assess deviations.

Beyond pressure monitoring, sensors were also installed in two wells to measure water level changes by recording the distance to the surface. Additionally, fire hydrant caps were fitted with sensors to detect unauthorised use or physical tampering.

The implementation of NB-IoT sensors has given Halsnæs Forsyning:

• Real-time insight into pressure conditions across the network, reducing the need for manual pressure checks and enabling quicker response to customer enquiries.

• Fewer unnecessary site visits, saving time, fuel, and operational resources.

• Remote monitoring of water levels, eliminating routine manual inspections and enabling faster reaction in the event of sudden inflows, such as during cloudbursts.

• Improved hydrant monitoring, allowing for early detection of unauthorised use, better planning of maintenance, and support in separating legitimate fire service use from potential vandalism or water theft.

By digitising core aspects of its water supply system, Halsnæs Forsyning has strengthened its ability to manage the network proactively, allocate resources more efficiently, and improve service quality for its customers.