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Description
The aim of the project is the optimal utilization of available water resources through leakage monitoring, ensuring the adequacy and quality of drinking water in the internal water supply network of the closed zone of Paramythia city which shows water deficit, to achieve a better mode of operation, ensuring water quality, protecting the environment and promoting resource efficiency. The project is structured in 6 sub-projects.
The Municipality of Souli located in northwestern Greece is the Project Promoter and will collaborate with the following partners:
- Laboratory of Climatology and Atmospheric Environment of the Department of Geology and Geoenvironment of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens- Laboratory of Networks and Advanced Services of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Western Macedoniaand a University from a donor country: Norwegian University of Life Sciences
Finally the project includes the development of bilateral relations between bodies of the donor countries and Greece for the exchange and transfer of knowledge and experiences and for the strengthening of networking and future cooperation between them (sub-project 6 of a budget of 20.000,00€ paid by Bilateral Fund).
Summary of project results
The objective of the project is to optimize the utilization of available water resources by reducing leakages, ensuring adequacy and quality of drinking water in the water supply infrastructure of the closed zone in the Paramythia city of the Municipality of Souli, which experiences water deficit. It aims to achieve rational operation, ensure water quality, protect the environment, and promote resource efficiency.
Specifically, through the implementation of the project the Municipality of Souli, aims to:
- Provide uninterrupted water supply that meets the required quality specifications through the closed zone of the distribution network.
- Ensure the necessary quantities of water to supply all households in the responsible area of the closed zone.
- Drastically reduce operational expenses through more efficient management of the network and equipment.
- Ensure the required quality control of the produced and consumed water, which is not currently carried out on a continuous basis.
- Serve the needs of consumers promptly and effectively.
- Minimize the amount of water leakage and wastage, as the targeted area experiences a significant percentage of leaks and lacks quality control.
- Reduce the unnecessary energy consumption associated with the current operation of the network, boreholes, booster stations, and tanks.
- Adopt a fair pricing policy based on real data.
- Achieve the above objectives in the most cost-effective manner without burdening consumers, as the project includes equipment costs that will not be passed on to network users (end consumers).
The project is implemented through 6 sub-projects, in which water leakage is closely monitored with the ultimate goal of reducing it. Through targeted actions and interventions within the sub-projects, the existing infrastructure of the Municipality of Souli is upgraded to ensure not only the efficient functioning of the network but also the optimal quality of water.
Sub-Project 1: Supply, installation, and commissioning of three (3) local monitoring and control stations for quantitative and qualitative parameters (flow, pressure, residual chlorine, turbidity, conductivity, temperature, pH) (Municipality of Souli).
Sub-Project 2: Development and Customization of Hydraulic Modeling and Simulation of the Digital Twin of the Closed Zone of the Water Supply Network in the Paramythia City of the Municipality of Souli (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA)).
Subproject 3: Development and parameterization of virtual sensors for managing/monitoring hidden leaks in the water supply network and additional quality parameters (Donor Project Partner - Norwegian University of Life Sciences)
Subproject 4: Design and Development of a Decision Support System (DSS) for Water Network Parameter Management (University of Western Macedonia).
Subproject 5: Communication Plan of the Action (Municipality of Souli).
Subproject 6: Networking, Experience Sharing, and Best Practices Exchange among Partners in Greece (Municipality of Souli, University of Western Macedonia & University of Athens) and Donor Countries (Norwegian University & Oslo Water Utility)
Outcomes of the project implementation include the upgrading of the existing infrastructure of the Municipality of Souli, the convergence of the water balance in the closed zone of the Paramythia area within the Municipality of Souli, the control and reduction of leaks, and the improvement of water adequacy and quality. Additionally, the promotion of bilateral relations between Norway and Greece is anticipated.
The direct beneficiaries of this action are the residents and tourists in the Paramythia area of the Municipality of Souli (specifically, 3,032 residents). Potentially, the entire population of the Municipality of Souli, comprising 10,185 residents (permanent population according to the 2011 census), could benefit from these actions.
Results:
Estimated amount of water saved (m3/year): 600.000
Number of innovative green technologies/processes/solutions applied: 1
Number of water bodies with imporved environmental status: 1
Number of beneficiaries of services provided or improved: 3.032
Estimated Cost Savings (€/year) 20.000
Summary of bilateral results
The project benefited significantly from having a donor project partner, as it provided access to advanced technical expertise, innovative methodologies, and best practices in water management. The donor partner (NMBU) contributed valuable knowledge and experience, particularly in the implementation of smart technologies for water monitoring, leak detection, and data integration, and more specifically the development of Virtual Sensors. This collaboration facilitated the transfer of cutting-edge technologies and helped improve the overall technical capacity of the project team, particularly in areas data monitoring, as the virtual sensors that were developed helped on continuous monitoring at points that couldn''t install physical sensors. At the bilateral level, the main results include the successful integration of digital twin technology with the virtual sensors, and capacity building for local staff in both technical and managerial areas. This cooperation also strengthened institutional ties and knowledge exchange between the donor and the recipient institutions, fostering a deeper, long-term relationship. Plans to continue the bilateral cooperation has already been on track, as there was a common proposal on INTERREG MED call for water management at touristic areas. These efforts will continue to enhance the mutual exchange of knowledge and ensure the continued success and scalability of future projects.