BackSense – contamination source detection software

BackSense is new methodology to identify the possible sources location and time frame of a contamination that may cause the trigger of a set of water quality sensors that are part of an Early Contamination Warning System (ECWS). The basic idea of BackSense it to identify all the networks nodes that can “reach” a specific sensor at given time. BackSense may suggest the location of the contamination while providing information regarding safe areas of the network. The new methodology is fast enough to be used in real time, accurate and simple to implement.

The ideal operating scenario of a system like BackSense would be in the water utility’s control center. It should be connected to the SCADA system that holds both the sensors reading and the hydraulic state of the distribution network (operating state of different elements, tank levels and demand readings). As BackSense uses an hydraulic simulation, a calibrated model of the the network is required. It is important to note that a water quality model is not required by BackSense!

The methodology was verified using two real world water distribution systems described in the BWSN. The small network includes 129 nodes and 170 and the algorithm runs in a few seconds. The large network (12,527 nodes and 14,431 links) is solved in about three minutes.

At present, the graphical user interface is limited but the underlying algorithms are in place. This method had not been published and circulated to a limited number of people and companies. A (very) short screen cast is available at http://backsense.optiwater.com/v1/.