Field sensor installation

Why Sensors Matter

Without sensors, a sewer system operates blind. Operators don't know what's happening inside pipes until something fails — a basement floods, a manhole overflows, or a river turns toxic. IoT sensors change this by providing continuous, real-time visibility into every corner of the network.

Modern sewer sensors are designed for the most hostile monitoring environments on earth: submerged in wastewater, exposed to corrosive gases, and installed in confined underground spaces. Battery lives of 5-10+ years, wireless communication, and ruggedized construction make them deploy-and-forget infrastructure.

Key Specifications to Evaluate

ACCURACY
±1% vs ±5% matters at scale. Higher accuracy = better models, better decisions.
BATTERY LIFE
Target 5-10 years. Underground battery replacement is expensive and disruptive.
CONNECTIVITY
Cellular (4G/5G), LoRaWAN, NB-IoT, or satellite — depends on coverage and data needs.
IP RATING
IP68 minimum for submerged sensors. Full protection against dust and prolonged immersion.
SAMPLING RATE
1-5 min for RTC applications. 15 min sufficient for monitoring-only deployments.
MAINTENANCE
Annual cleaning/calibration typical. Non-contact sensors (radar, ultrasonic) need less.

Cost Guide (2026)

Sensor Type Installed Cost Annual Data/Connectivity Annual Maintenance
Level Sensor (manhole) $2,000 – $5,000 $200 – $600 $300 – $800
Area-Velocity Flow Meter $5,000 – $15,000 $400 – $1,000 $800 – $2,000
Electromagnetic Flow Meter $8,000 – $25,000 $400 – $800 $500 – $1,500
Water Quality (multi-param) $15,000 – $40,000 $600 – $1,200 $2,000 – $5,000
Gas Sensor (H2S) $3,000 – $8,000 $300 – $600 $500 – $1,000

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