Cefla, at the forefront of plant engineering and technological innovation applied to water services, presented at Ecomondo, a revolutionary solution for detecting water leaks in distribution networks.
The new technology, based on the use of state-of-the-art vibrophones, enables the timely and efficient detection of pipeline microvibrations, turning them into audio signals that can be recognized and interpreted by specialized operators and artificial intelligence. This innovative approach makes it possible to quickly locate leaks, acting preventively compared to traditional methods and supporting the national goal of reducing a phenomenon that today leads to the dispersion of about 40 percent of transported water.
During Ecomondo, Daniele Sarro, Cefla's technical support for digital platforms, illustrated through a simulation how the system works in practice.
Using two vibrophones installed on the pipes of an aqueduct network in central and southern Italy, the platform analyzes the vibrations generated by the passage of water and any structural anomalies, transforming these signals into digital audio tracks. Using sophisticated acoustic analysis algorithms, the location and severity of leaks can be accurately identified, enabling intervention teams to take timely and targeted action.
This technology represents a significant advance in sustainability and operational efficiency. Early detection of water leaks not only helps safeguard a vital resource, but also reduces operation and maintenance costs for municipalities and network operators by minimizing emergency repairs and improving maintenance scheduling. For areas most prone to drought, the ability to intervene quickly is strategic to ensure service continuity and infrastructure resilience.
Cefla, thanks to its experience in the integration of digital monitoring systems and facility management, proposes itself as a technological partner of public and private water managers, offering customized and scalable solutions for different types of networks. Future prospects include further integrations with IoT platforms and predictive software for optimizing maintenance processes and creating increasingly smart and secure water networks. Participation in Ecomondo underscores Cefla's desire to strengthen multidisciplinary collaborations, promoting the dissemination of advanced technologies oriented toward sustainability, protection of natural resources and support of the ecological transition in the water infrastructure sector.