Mersin Aqueduct Water Leakage Monitoring Project: A Strategic Intervention for Water Security

Filippo Verre - December 6, 2023

In the city of Mersin, a major urban center on the southern coast of Turkey, water management is crucial to ensure sustainable development and the well-being of the population. In recent years, the increasing pressure on the city’s water network has highlighted significant problems related to water losses along the aqueduct, causing waste of drinking water and putting at risk the availability of resources for citizens.

In this context, AB AQUA, played a leading role by participating in a consultancy project aimed at solving these problems. The project aimed to monitor and reduce water losses in the Mersin distribution network, a key challenge to improve the efficiency of the aqueduct and ensure a stable water supply.

The strategic importance of the project

Water leakage is a major cause of inefficiency in water distribution systems in many cities, and Mersin is no exception. Before AB AQUA’s intervention, it is estimated that up to 40% of distributed water was lost due to damaged pipes, outdated joints and unmonitored leaks. This situation not only drastically reduced the availability of potable water, but also caused high costs for local authorities due to pumping and treating unused water volumes.

AB AQUA provided an in-depth hydro-strategic analysis, using advanced leak detection technologies, such as remote monitoring and analysis of water pressures in the network. The think tank collaborated with local and international experts to develop an integrated real-time surveillance system that allows leaks to be quickly identified and corrective measures to be taken.

Results and impacts

Thanks to the intervention of AB AQUA and other Italian companies with a high technological value, the project aims to drastically reduce losses, improving the efficiency of the Mersin distribution system. The new hybrid monitoring system, characterized by the operational combination of artificial intelligence and high-performance sensors, has made it possible to identify critical areas and vulnerable points of the network, allowing timely interventions for the repair of the pipes. This has led to a significant reduction in water losses and considerable savings for the municipality of Mersin.

The benefits of the project are not limited to the technical resolution of losses alone. The improvement of water management also has a positive impact on the quality of life of citizens, ensuring a more constant and safe water supply. Furthermore, the project has contributed to improving the sustainability of the city, reducing the pressure on water resources and promoting a more careful and responsible management of water infrastructures.

A vision for the future

The success of the Mersin project is a concrete example of how a strategic approach to water management can make a difference in complex urban contexts. Thanks to AB AQUA’s consultancy, the city of Mersin was able to address one of its most critical infrastructure problems, improving the efficiency of the water network and promoting a more sustainable management of resources.

This project highlights the importance of relying on think tanks like AB AQUA, capable of combining advanced technologies and strategic expertise to solve water security challenges. In a context of increasing water scarcity at a global level, initiatives like the one in Mersin represent a crucial step towards a more sustainable and resilient future for cities around the world.