Water de waardevolle grondstof
Smart wastewater & surface water monitoring for data-driven infrastructure management
The 2M Distributed Environmental Sensing Platform provides a scalable, OEM-ready foundation for continuous monitoring of wastewater, sewerage, and surface water systems. The platform is designed to deliver reliable, real-time insight into both quantitative and qualitative water parameters, enabling municipalities, utilities, and system integrators to move from reactive inspection to predictive, data-driven water management.
Built for long-term deployment in harsh environments, the platform combines robust sensor hardware, flexible connectivity, and optional cloud-based analytics into a complete sensor-to-insight solution.
From measurement to decision support
Effective wastewater and surface water management is no longer about collecting data alone—it is about turning measurements into actionable insight.
By continuously monitoring parameters such as:
- Water level and sludge height
- Flow velocity and volume throughput
- Temperature (water and ambient)
- Conductivity and basic water quality indicators
the platform enables early detection of:
- Blockages and sediment buildup
- Overflow risks and abnormal flow patterns
- System degradation and abnormal discharges
This supports predictive maintenance, improved capacity planning, and regulatory compliance across entire networks.
Engineered for harsh, real-world conditions
The platform is engineered to operate reliably in environments where conventional sensors fail:
- Dry pipes transitioning to full flow
- Turbulent, contaminated, or partially submerged conditions
- Underground, confined, or remote locations
Its rugged, waterproof design supports long-term unattended operation in sewer pipes, manholes, culverts, rainwater drains, and surface water systems—both urban and rural.
Modular architecture for distributed sensing
At the core of the platform is a modular, ring-based sensor architecture, allowing flexible configuration per location and application.
Key architectural principles:
- Multiple sensor types integrated into a single compact unit
- Each sensor module has its own microcontroller
- Scalable from single measurement points to city-wide networks
- Designed for OEM integration into new or existing infrastructure
Sensors can be installed non-intrusively in concrete or PVC pipes, or integrated directly into new assets during construction.
Multi-sensor integration: one platform, many parameters
The platform supports a combination of complementary sensing principles, including:
Quantitative monitoring
- Water / sludge height (from ~4 cm upwards, mm-level accuracy)
- Flow velocity (down to ~0.1 m/s for low-flow detection)
- Temperature (water and sensor body)
Qualitative indicators
- Conductivity for contamination, salinity, and composition trends
- Platform ready for future qualitative extensions
Different sensor combinations can be selected per deployment, enabling application-specific configurations without redesign.
Connectivity & data handling
The system supports flexible communication options to match local infrastructure constraints:
- RS485 / Modbus
- Wireless BLE
- LoRa and other low-power wide-area options
- Optional local data logging for offline deployments
An open API enables seamless integration with:
- SCADA systems
- Municipal data platforms
- Smart city dashboards
- Third-party analytics environments
Optional analytics & AI layer
For large-scale deployments, the platform can be extended with:
- Secure cloud storage
- Network-wide dashboards
- AI-driven anomaly detection and trend analysis
This transforms raw sensor data into:
- Early warnings for flooding or blockages
- Long-term system performance insights
- Input for maintenance planning and asset management
Cost-effective deployment at scale
The platform is designed for low total cost of ownership:
- Non-intrusive installation
- Battery or solar powered operation
- Minimal maintenance requirements
- Long service life in aggressive environments
When deployed at multiple locations across a network, the system enables centralised, high-resolution insight at a fraction of the cost of traditional monitoring approaches.
Application domains
The Distributed Environmental Sensing Platform is suited for:
- Sewer pipes and wastewater networks
- Manholes and drainage systems
- Culverts and underpasses
- Rainwater runoff and surface water
- Flood prevention and climate adaptation infrastructure
Proven deployments & OEM collaboration
The platform has been validated in real-world municipal deployments and is commercially deployed in collaboration with partners such as iSago, including installations in Dutch cities like Breda and Roosendaal.
2M Engineering supports partners with:
- Platform customization and OEM variants
- Sensor selection and system configuration
- Prototyping, testing, and validation
- Integration into existing IT and SCADA environments
OEM platform, not a single product
The Distributed Environmental Sensing Platform is not a fixed product, but a reusable technology base for:
- Custom municipal monitoring solutions
- OEM sensor systems
- Smart city water infrastructure
- Research and pilot deployments
Interested in distributed environmental sensing?
Whether you are a municipality, water authority, system integrator, or OEM partner, 2M Engineering can help you design and deploy scalable, future-proof water monitoring solutions tailored to your environment and objectives.
→ Explore smart wastewater & surface water monitoring platforms
This project has been co-financed by the European Union.
Modular sensor building blocks for (waste)water monitoring
Our modular measurement ring is built from a set of high-quality sensor building blocks designed for reliable monitoring of flow, level, temperature, conductivity and related parameters in wastewater and surface water environments.
Each sensor module operates as an independent unit with its own microcontroller, signal conditioning and local processing. This architecture allows flexible sensor combinations, robust real-time data acquisition, and reliable operation in harsh environments—without dependency on additional hardware or software components.
Sewer Wastewater Pipe Sensors for Seamless Integration
Our wastewater sensor technology is designed for effortless deployment within existing concrete or PVC sewer pipes, without the need for structural modifications. Sensors can be slid into place or fully integrated as OEM components in new infrastructure.
The system supports multi-point flow measurement at various heights, along with water level, temperature, conductivity, and other key parameters—providing a comprehensive view of sewer network conditions.
Each sensor ring connects to a compact interface module, offering compatibility with a wide range of digital communication standards. For easy integration into third-party systems, full API documentation is available.
Manhole, water Drainage and Surface monitoring Solutions
2M Engineering offers robust, sensor solutions for the monitoring of water levels, flow rates, temperature, and conductivity in manholes, rainwater drainage systems, and surface water environments. Designed for easy deployment, these standalone units deliver real-time, high-accuracy data to support flood prevention, system diagnostics, and water quality management.
With flexible installation options and support for digital communication, they provide municipalities and water authorities with a scalable, low-maintenance solution for critical water infrastructure monitoring—even in remote or hard-to-access locations.
Wastewater Conductivity Sensor
The Water Conductivity Sensor is engineered for precise monitoring of water conductivity in surface water or wastewater systems. It measures electrical conductivity and temperature, providing critical data for assessing water composition, salinity, and potential contamination levels.
This rugged, IP69-rated sensor is designed for reliable operation in harsh wastewater environments, measuring both water temperature and conductivity across a wide range (300–22,000 µS/cm). It functions effectively in both still and flowing water conditions and supports multiple interface options, including RS485, UART, I2C, and optionally 4–20 mA, for seamless integration into various monitoring systems.
Wastewater Height Sensor
The Smart Water Level Sensor is a robust and accurate water level sensor designed for real-time monitoring of wastewater and surface water systems. Whether installed in sewer pipes, manholes, culverts, or open water bodies, this compact sensor delivers reliable height measurements in demanding environmental conditions. Ideal for municipalities, water boards, and system integrators looking to enhance infrastructure visibility, improve flood resilience, and enable smart water management.
This robust, waterproof sensor delivers accurate water level measurements (4–250 cm, 1–2 mm accuracy) with a response time under 1 second, even in challenging wastewater environments. It supports RS485, UART, I2C, and optionally 4–20 mA for easy integration with telemetry and IoT systems. Designed for deployment in sewers, manholes, drainage systems, and surface water, it enables real-time monitoring for proactive maintenance and flood prevention. With low maintenance needs and long-term stability, it’s ideal for reliable, unattended operation.
Advanced Sensor for Culvert Monitoring
This high-performance sensor combines precise sediment level measurement with sensitive flow speed detection, capable of accurately registering velocities as low as 0.1 m/s—ideal for monitoring culverts under low-flow conditions. In addition to flow the system enables early detection of sediment buildup, such as sand or debris accumulation, helping prevent blockages and maintain hydraulic efficiency. Integrated temperature and pressure sensing further support comprehensive system diagnostics. Designed for reliable operation in harsh environments, this sensor provides the actionable data needed for effective culvert and drainage network management.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific parameters can the Advanced Wastewater Sensor Solution measure?
The system measures physical parameters such as water level, pressure, flow, and temperature, as well as chemical parameters like conductivity. Other chemical parameters are under development.
How does the sensor platform handle the harsh conditions typical of wastewater environments?
The sensors are designed to withstand challenging conditions, including varying pipe fill levels and aggressive chemical compositions, ensuring reliable performance.
What communication protocols are supported for data transmission?
The control unit supports various wired and wireless connectivity standards, including LoRa, RS485, and BLE, facilitating seamless data communication to the cloud.
Is the system capable of operating independently without external power sources?
Yes, the system can be powered by batteries or solar energy, enabling standalone operation in locations without external power availability.
Can the sensor platform be integrated with existing wastewater management systems?
The platform is designed for easy integration with existing infrastructure, allowing for centralized data analysis and enhanced network insights.
What are the maintenance requirements for the sensor units?
The sensors are engineered for durability and minimal maintenance, with features like local data storage and robust construction to ensure long-term reliability.
Does the system offer real-time data monitoring and analytics?
Yes, the platform can optionally provide accurate, real-time data, enabling municipalities and water authorities to proactively manage their networks.
Is the sensor platform adaptable for surface water monitoring applications?
The sensing platform can also be used for surface water measurement applications, offering versatility across different monitoring needs.
What customization options are available to meet specific project requirements?
2M Engineering specializes in developing tailored sensor solutions, working closely with clients to determine specifications and customization needs before building, testing, and validating new solutions.
How does the system contribute to predictive maintenance and network optimization?
By providing accurate, real-time data and predictive analytics, the system enables proactive adjustments in capacity utilization and optimizes maintenance and servicing strategies.