Water sector: which wireless technologies to favor in IoT projects?
The rise of connected objects is closely linked to the development of communication networks. A closer look at NB-IoT, LTE-M, and 4G, the three major technologies currently dominating IoT applications in the water sector.
- NB-IoT
Many use cases employ NB-IoT for remote data reading related to water. Its major advantage? Low energy consumption. This technology features eDRX and PSM sleep modes enabling battery life to extend up to 10 years. Thanks to its strong penetration capability inside buildings, it is possible to transmit small volumes of information over long distances. In France, Bouygues Telecom’s NB-IoT boasts excellent national coverage, covering over 99% of the population.
- LTE-M and 4G
These high-speed networks enable the transmission of large volumes of data. In the IoT realm, they are favored for applications requiring real-time actions, such as mobile devices and video surveillance, for instance.
Water network management in Smart Cities
Water quality analysis
Water quality analysis (pH, turbidity, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, etc.) is made possible through the installation of IoT sensors. During the 2024 Olympic Games, chemical sensors were deployed along the Seine to analyze water quality several times a day, replacing traditional sampling methods that were carried out periodically. The water is analyzed by an autonomous analysis station capable of measuring real-time bacterial concentration levels and determining whether swimming is allowed or not.
Automatic irrigation adjustment
Smart irrigation has revolutionized the watering of fields and landscapes. With IoT sensors monitoring soil moisture levels, managers can remotely control irrigation systems and access valuable information to optimize watering and conserve water.
For golf courses, water management is crucial. The challenge is twofold: conserving water for financial and ecological reasons and avoiding overwatering, which promotes fungal diseases and weed proliferation. Smart sensors are integrated into mowing devices to map real-time soil moisture levels. Through software, managers can visualize moisture variations across the entire golf course.
IoT innovations like these allow the regulation of watering to ensure that all areas of the course receive the right amount of water. This approach can be applied to various places where watering is necessary, such as parks and public gardens.
Hydrological disaster detection
Water level monitoring poses a significant challenge for many cities. By leveraging IoT sensor technology, they can:
- Actively monitor waterways
- Detect sudden floods
- Anticipate rising flood levels
- Identify high-risk areas
Like many municipalities, the city of Paris has installed water level and flow sensors on the Seine to prevent overflows and issue alerts for potential flooding. These sensors are particularly useful for collecting reliable and continuous data in hard-to-reach locations.
In the marshes of Olonne, water levels were once indicated by graduated scales installed on poles, some of which were very isolated. The solution? The installation of autonomous IoT sensors that require no power supply. Data is now accessible remotely via a platform, and an SMS alert automatically notifies lock keepers when the critical water level threshold is exceeded.
Consumers, businesses, and municipalities: smart water management systems are beneficial to all stakeholders today. At a time when efficient water management, quality, and recovery are more important than ever, IoT is expanding possibilities and significantly contributing to this challenge.
Looking to develop a smart water monitoring system using IoT?
Objenious, a Bouygues Telecom brand dedicated to the Internet of Things, leverages its multi-technology spectrum including, 4G, 5G, LTE-M, and NB-IoT, to meet all needs. With an autonomous management platform, IoT M2M SIM cards, multi-operator solutions, and customized plans, we have a tailored solution for any project! For more information, contact our experts.