An EU-funded project has created an early warning system that allows city authorities and water utilities to take preventative action before sewer and storm water networks overflow and flood the streets - potentially saving lives and protecting homes and infrastructure.

The EU-funded PREPARED project has developed a warning system that uses weather radar systems to better predict when intense rainfall is expected to arrive in a specific area and sensors to improve the operation of wastewater, sewer and storm water systems.

The project has integrated weather radar information with data from rain gauges and other sensors, allowing water companies to better manage sewer and storm water systems when rainfall is particularly heavy and could result in overflows.

The project has also created software to help local authorities plan ahead for water shortages, drought and the rapid deterioration of water quality due to flooding.

The European Commission said that timely flood alerts and real-time monitoring can save lives and prevent damage to property, infrastructure and the environment. Given that climate change is likely to lead to more severe weather, the cost of not being prepared could be catastrophic.

Project manager Adriana Hulsmann from KWR Water in the Netherlands explained:

“This project has facilitated better and more efficient decision making in the water sector.  Utilities always have to balance risk and cost. The use of radar information, together with the use of sensors in the sewer networks, means that they are better equipped to maximise the functionality of their infrastructure, and even postpone major investments.”

The project recommends that local authorities need to invest in in early warning systems and develop short- and long-term response strategies for urban areas. Investing now in climate change adaptation will save billions over time, says Hulsmann.

PREPARED, which ended in January 2014, focused on linking local authorities and utility companies with scientists and technology manufacturers from across Europe.

“A key element of the project was the creation of a network of water utilities from various countries, in order to learn from each other’s problems and solutions, and we certainly hope that they will continue to work together beyond the lifetime of this project,” added Hulsmann. “The global angle of the project only had benefits, as it allowed the water sector to look beyond their own problems and open up to new solutions.”

The project was not initiated for the sake of science, but rather to address end-user problems, added Hulsmann. “This means that the results will not end up in a drawer, but will be directly implemented by the water utilities."

The experiences gained by the utilities involved have since been shared with other water providers in Europe, who it is hoped will roll out their own flood alert systems.

Total cost of the PREPARED project , which ran from February 2010  to January 2014 was

€ 10,658,571 which included an EU contribution of € 6,993,815

Participants in the project came from Turkey, Italy, Denmark, Norway, Germany, France, UK, Spain, Poland, Portugal, Austria, Ukraine, USA and Australia, with the Netherlands acting as Coordinator.

Click here for more information on the project