We monitor the sewerage networks from high up on the European Space Agency's satellites to prevent any damage and take preventive action. Modena and Bologna lead the pilot project. Find out more.
From up on a satellite, we can see if an aqueduct has leaks, and we can predict if our sewer networks need maintenance. Indeed, the most advanced technologies enable us to be even more efficient in managing the water cycle, transitioning from "fighting fires"' to taking "predictive" action, to prevent collector failure as much as possible.
The new pilot project uses data provided by satellites of the European Space Agency. By overlaying the satellite scan on the map of our sewerage networks, we can precisely assess the state of the land and infrastructure. If we find subsidence, we carry out an accurate video inspection to act pre-emptively.
Modena, where we operate a total of 2,230 km of sewerage network, and Bologna, where we manage about 4,000, are leading the pilot project. The areas, where the plain is interspersed with hills and mountains, have similar characteristics. In total, the project covers more than 6,200 km of network, on a total area of almost 3,500 km2.
We are implementing and refining this monitoring system. We plan to extend it to other infrastructures in the future.
With the experimental use of satellite technologies, the Hera Group participates in EuroGEOSS, the European project that puts the most innovative IT systems for the observation of terrestrial phenomena at the service of the environment. The CNR, the Italian National Research Council also participates in the initiative.
"
We have been enthusiasts of innovation, the development of new technologies and their experimentation", says Franco Fogacci, Water Director of the Hera Group. "These systems, based on satellite tracking, the result of high-level international collaboration, are creating added value for the integrated water service that Hera operates in 239 Italian municipalities, for a catchment area of over 3.6 million inhabitants.
.jpg/5c532605-0938-031b-74ff-89388f7410d3 "aliplast (1).jpg")
.jpg/468d051b-ba80-83a6-359d-7ef55eefd940 "general electric (1).jpg")
.jpeg/1d0e0770-1094-b22b-fce4-099f27c72978 "innovazione spicca il volo (1).jpeg")