Smart sewer technologies are moving from niche pilots to mainstream infrastructure strategies as utilities face growing pressures from climate variability, aging systems, and regulatory requirements. Rather than relying solely on large capital expansions, utilities are increasingly turning to digital tools to better understand, manage, and optimize the capacity they already have.
A recent article published by the American Society of Civil Engineers highlights new industrywide research aimed at helping utilities evaluate and implement smart sewer approaches. The 24-month study, funded by The Water Research Foundation (WRF) and led by Carollo Engineers in collaboration with HydroDigital, will produce practical guidance for utilities navigating digital transformation in their collection systems.
Smart Sewer Systems and the Future of Wastewater Infrastructure
Smart sewer systems integrate sensors, communications, and real-time controls to continuously monitor and actively manage sewer networks. Instead of treating capacity as fixed, these systems allow utilities to dynamically respond to changing conditions such as localized storm events or uneven loading across a system.
“When smart sewer technologies are applied, utilities can improve how they manage and control their infrastructure—optimizing what they already have,” said Eric Harold, vice president at Carollo and principal investigator of the study.
The research focuses on how smart sewer approaches can help utilities reduce surface flooding and sewer overflows by better leveraging existing assets. By understanding where capacity exists in real-time, utilities can redirect flows, activate controls, and respond more effectively to intense rainfall events that increasingly affect only portions of a service area at any given time.
From Sensors to Digital Twins and Real-Time Control
Advances in sensor technology, cloud computing, and machine learning have accelerated the adoption of smart sewer systems. According to Luis Montestruque, co-principal investigator of the study, a fully integrated smart sewer system typically evolves through three stages.
The first stage focuses on visibility, using sensors to understand what is happening across the network in real-time. The second stage combines that data with forecasting tools and digital twins to predict how the system will perform under near-term conditions. The third stage applies real-time optimization algorithms to identify the best operational strategies, whether that means automated control actions or operator-informed decisions.
“During cloudburst events, intense rainfall can suddenly affect one section of a city, overwhelming the sewer system in that area,” Montestruque explained. “The idea of a smart sewer is to recognize where capacity still exists in the network and use it to relieve the parts that are overburdened.”
Building a Practical Smart Sewer Guide for Utilities
By combining lessons from established implementations with forward-looking analysis, the WRF-funded project aims to produce a utility-facing guide that supports decision-making at every stage of adoption. The final deliverable will include case studies, best practices, cost considerations, and strategies to help utilities scope capital programs, tailor control strategies, and meet regulatory requirements.
To learn more about the research and how smart sewer technologies are helping utilities adapt to changing conditions, read the full article.