Evides Waterbedrijf provides safe and clean drinking water to 2.5 million consumers and businesses in the southwest of South Holland, the province of Zeeland, and the southwest of North Brabant. Evides aims to operate in a sustainable, circular, and climate-neutral way, and continuously explores how digital tools can support these ambitions.

As part of its “Pipeline Network of the Future” research programme, Evides is investigating technologies that improve insight into its water infrastructure. A key focus area is transforming physical assets into smart components to support data-driven, cost-effective decision-making. One such asset is the shut-off valve. Evides currently relies on manual reporting for valve positions, which introduces time lags and potential errors. If a valve is left in the wrong position, this can lead to water quality issues—such as stagnant water—or hinder effective response in the case of a disruption.

To address this, Evides tested AVK’s VIDI Positioner on four gate valves in Oud-Beijerland. The VIDI Positioner is a sensor that detects the exact position of a valve—whether fully open, fully closed, or partially open—and automatically transmits this information. This transforms a standard valve into a smart valve.

Installed on the valve’s extension spindle, the sensor detects changes in valve position and sends real-time updates via the NB-IoT communication network. Data is sent immediately after a change is registered, followed by updates after 5 and 10 minutes, and again at 1, 6, 12, and 24 hours. After this, a daily status signal is sent to the VIDI Cloud platform or another internal application.

The initial position of each valve is recorded using the AVK Assist smartphone app. Once operational, the sensor continuously monitors and reports the valve’s position without requiring manual input.

The pilot has demonstrated the potential of smart valve monitoring in improving operational efficiency and data reliability. VIDI Positioners are especially valuable on frequently used or critical valves, where real-time insights can prevent problems caused by incorrect settings or undetected deviations from preferred positions.

By automating the monitoring process, Evides can reduce the risk of stagnant water and improve the accuracy of its hydraulic models. Furthermore, the system ensures that valve data in digital records matches physical reality—an essential element for effective incident response and long-term network planning.

The findings from this pilot will inform Evides’ broader approach to digitising its infrastructure as part of its long-term strategy for a more resilient and sustainable drinking water supply.