Description of the SmartWaterSave project

The SmartWaterSave project is co - funded by the European Union and by National Funds of the participating countries, while the municipality of Prespes is the Lead Beneficiary of the SmartWaterSave project.

The project’s total duration is 24 months.

A few words about the SmartWaterSave project:

The water distribution networks in the transboundary Prespa Park face severe water loss problems mainly due to structural deterioration of the pipe networks. It is estimated that approximately the 50% of the total pumped water is lost. The large volume of the pumped groundwater results in the increase of energy consumption in order to treat groundwater and distribute it.

The aim of the SmartWaterSave project:

The aim of the SmartWaterSave project is to indroduce an innovative technical methedology based on the idea of a supervisory Control and Data system SCADA using real-time flow and prssure monotoring sensors, and therefore to promote a cost-effective approach for arhieving a significant reduction in water leakage. The effective water pressure management is expected to reduce the risk of burst pipes and extend pipes servcice life.

The main objectives of the SmartWaterSave project:

[1] Mapping the water distribution networks using Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

[2] Hydraulic modelling of the networks

[3] Installation of water pressure and flow sensors at five and four settlements in Greece and fYROM respectively

[4] Identification of “hotspots” in terms of pipe failures regionalization

[5] Calculation of the current water losses, energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions per each settlement

[6] Development of three pressure management strategies based on varying the inlet pressure at each network

[7] Investigating the relationship between inlet pressure and leakages using advanced statistical models

[8] Blueprints and hydraulic studies for reconstructing the most water consuming parts of the networks

[9] Calculation of water savings based on the most effective management strategy

[10] Calculation of energy consumption savings

[11] Calculation of greenhouse gas emissions savings based on calculating the Water Footprint indicator

[12] Reconstruction works of the most water consuming parts of the networks

[13] Organizing workshops and seminars to disseminate results to local stakeholders and residents.