ABOUT
CITYGUARD
In the future, we will face stronger and more concentrated extreme weather. The requirements for water and wastewater management are mounting, through several different regulations and sustainability measures.
With reliable data and smart measurements, however, the risk of extensive damage to the environment, infrastructure and buildings can be significantly reduced. This has been our inspiration when developing CityGuard – a system that collects and visualizes data for managing wastewater and drinking water supply.
Xepto's systems run steadily as Swiss watches – even in extreme conditions – with battery-powered and wireless technology. The result is an entire infrastructure with the capacity to lead its own underground life, while guarding the values above.
CityGuard provides the insights to act quickly, correctly, and proactively. This can prove to be invaluable – in a large value chain of environment, economy and people.
CITYGUARD
PRODUCT FAMILY
There are increasingly stringent requirements for managing the challenges within water- and sewage systems. Consequentially, our microtechnology helps more and more Norwegian municipalities to obtain large amounts of data. When properly analyzed, problems can be diagnosed and plans for action can be made in time. Our system can be installed in locations without electricity and makes it possible to monitor operations anywhere.
- Get a wireless and battery-powered infrastructure underground, which transmits capacity data for years without supervision
- Calculate the amount of overflow water to recipients
- Make optimal use of existing infrastructure
- Reduce the proportion of extraneous water entering pumping stations to save operating costs and service time
- Ensure that the water is up to quality standards
- Ensure safe water delivery
- Receive alerts in the event of leaks and deviations
- Secure manholes by, for example, detecting the opening of manhole covers
- Have wear sensors for manhole covers installed
THE TERMINAL
THAT TIES IT ALL
TOGETHER
CityGuard Connect is the heart of the CityGuard underground infrastructure. The terminal is designed to thrive in some of the world's most extreme spaces. Consequently, it is both water- and dustproof, as well as built in a shockproof material – while the batteries are rechargeable and designed to last for many years.
Sensors send data to the terminal via BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) and receive power from the terminal via cable. As for the terminal, it communicates with Xepto's servers via NB-IoT or LTE-M over the cellular network.
PHYSICAL
CONNECTIONS
SENSORS
Our radar measures both height and speed of water in open gutters and water mirrors – delivering precise measurement of the amount of water. The radar also measures distance to other elements, such as manhole covers.
CityGuard Radar is extremely energy efficient, delivering high-resolution data for many years, without charging or replacing batteries. The product also meets the IP67 standard, which means that it’s dust and waterproof.
Being able to install a sensor in water – under pressure – has been a challenge for many years, as well as a strong request from many customers. Together with Ulefos we have solved this by developing a sensor wand that can be mounted on the service valve outlet on sluice valve: with the use of a jack, the sensors are passed through the service valve and into the water flow. The wand is powered through a cable from the terminal.
After installation, CityGuard Wand can measure speed, pressure, turbidity, and temperature, which ensures both delivery and quality of the drinking water.
EXTREME
TECHNOLOGY
FOR EXTREME
SPACES
According to norskvann.no, foreign water due to leakage or overflow to recipients is a major challenge in many municipalities and can have both economic and environmental consequences. Sub-goal 4.2 of the National Sustainability Strategy therefore states that the proportion of foreign water shall be reduced by 30 % by 2030.
It can be complicated to determine where foreign water comes from, but incorrect connections, stormwater, construction water and stretches that are not clogged are widespread causes.
Xepto CityGuard can help monitor the amount of water from different locations in the network through contactless sensors, which collect water flow in open gutters to identify deviations. By comparing the water flow with trends, historical data and precipitation data, it will be possible to warn of such deviations, and it will also be possible to find the source. Thus, the problems can be diagnosed and measures taken.
The sensors are easy to install and can also be supplied with mobile sensor stands for campaign measurements for shorter periods.
Most countries have strict regulations on registration of overflow time, duration and number of incidents within a given period. Xepto already aids more than 70 customers with their measurements and reporting. Future requirements may also include actual volume of water that makes out any overflow.
Cityguard uses a contactless radar sensor that measures both height and water velocity when the water enters an overflow pipe. This pipe has a known cross section, allowing us to calculate the amount of water overflowing. This solution also makes it possible to set up an automatic reporting service to local authorities.
Threshold overflows are a common form of overflow in many municipalities. If the water exceeds a given height in the main pipe, the water will flow into a parallel pipe and further out into the recipient. In order to measure this exceeding amount of water, the water is channeled into a V-threshold. With a fixed cross-section, we provide a basis for calculating the amount of water.
Along with the CityGuard Radar that measures water flow in the drainage pipe, this V-threshold will detect when the amount of water in the drainage pipe is saturated and the water flows into the overflow pipe.
Using radar, CityGuard measures changes in water level. Locations for such measurements may be smaller ponds and water basins, to be able to predict water flow in streams and smaller rivers.
By mounting a radar at each end of a culvert, it is possible to detect blockages and limitations in the water flow – for example twigs and tassels – by measuring the difference in water height.
CityGuard Wand can measure:
- Flow
- Pressure
- Turbidity
- Temperature
By measuring speed and pressure at two different measuring sites – preferably in sluice vaults – we can find the difference between the two markers. This data can be utilized to detect leaks or other deviations.
Turbidity and temperature are parameters used to measure water quality.
Installation of the sensor does not require operational interruptions, but can be executed while in production, with water under pressure. The wand is routed into the water flow through a service valve.
PRECIPITATION GAUGERS
Data from local precipitation gaugers are an important source for seeing the effect of the water flow in the pipe network.
Xepto's precipitation gauge comes in several versions. Common to all editions is that they can be connected to Xepto Connect for data exchange.
In areas where there is no power connection, the solution is a battery-powered precipitation gauge. The terminal will send temperature data down to -30 degrees, but due to battery capacity, this gauge will not have access to collect data on snow melting.
If desired, the precipitation gauge can be equipped with a solar panel.
This will, in addition to measure rain, collect data on sleet and snow.
Placement is optional, it can be mounted on a gable, on a flat roof or on a field. Xepto CityGuard collects data and facilitates local IVF data. These data will accumulate over time and help to calculate capacity for given precipitation amounts in the future to ensure efficient management and operation, for example through more precise warning solutions for emergency preparedness in the event of flooding and high levels of stormwater.
COVERAGE
Being able to communicate wirelessly from extreme rooms is often challenging, and precise measurements require a high level of expertise in antennas and coverage.
Very often traditional antennas can not be used, and in other cases it may be important that the antenna does not stick out in public spaces and fall victim to sabotage or destruction. In addition, the antennas must also withstand the stresses of hot summer days and cold winter days.
Xepto has, in collaboration with Ulefos, developed an antenna solution for manholes where a hole is made in the frame to room the antenna. The antenna cable is inserted via a channel into the frame and then further down into the manhole.
The antenna fits in the following manhole frame: https://ulefos.com/product/ufns-a-ramme/
Unlike the frame antenna, a puckantenna is designed so that it is milled into the asphalt next to the manhole frame. The core is flanged out, and a hole is drilled obliquely down into the manhole trunk of the antenna wire. The antenna puck is then glued with the Tec-7, or similar, giving the equipment mounted down in the manhole coverage.
The antenna itself is out of sight and can be mounted in the roadway.
The pole antenna is designed as a cup that is adapted to ordinary sign posts. At the bottom of the pole at ground level, a hole is drilled for the antenna cable, the cable is pulled through the post and the antenna itself is glued to the top of the sign post.
INSTALLATION
The CityGuard terminal and associated sensors are easy to assemble and there is no need for special tools. It is taken into account that it should be possible to carry out the installation with protective gloves, and all the parts used are therefore of such a size that HSE for assembly is maintained.
The sensors do not have their own power source, but are powered by the head unit Xepto Connect. This facilitates the overview of the battery status and condition per manhole, as well as the replacement and charging of the batteries.