Virtual Sensors: The Future of Water Industry Monitoring?
- Hannah Casswell
- Jun 13
- 2 min read
The use of sensors in the water industry is nothing new, but the way we think about sensing is rapidly evolving.
Traditionally, physical sensors have been installed across networks, pumping stations and treatment works to deliver offline and real-time data on flows, quality and performance. These physical sensors remain essential, but they can carry high costs for hardware, installation, maintenance and calibration.
In recent years, however, a new approach has been gaining ground: virtual sensors.
By using existing data streams, mathematical models and machine learning, virtual sensors can estimate key process variables without installing new hardware. This opens up the possibility of:
Lower costs compared to deploying physical sensors everywhere
Predictive insights rather than just real-time measurements
Extending monitoring to locations where physical installation is difficult
Digital twins of existing physical sensors for calibration assurance, failure back up or fault detection
But virtual sensors also bring challenges. They rely heavily on good quality data acquisition and integration, robust deterministic and statistical models, and may sometimes struggle with unexpected changes or anomalies that physical sensors would detect directly. Domain knowledge is still essential.
So where does the balance sit between physical and virtual sensing? Can virtual sensors truly replace physical installations or do we need hybrid models? How confident can operators be in virtual models when regulations demand evidence of compliance? They’re used in other sectors but can they translate well to the water industry? What role will virtual sensing play as AMP8 and Section 82 drive investment in monitoring? And perhaps most importantly, are utilities already seeing value from virtual sensors in real-world operation?
These are exactly the questions we will be exploring at SWIG’s upcoming workshop:
24 June 2025
Sandy Park, Exeter
Speakers from water companies, technology providers and academia will share real-world case studies and discuss where sensing in the sector is heading next.
Your article “Virtual Sensors: The Future of Water Industry Monitoring” offers a detailed exploration of how digital and data-driven tools are redefining asset management in water systems. While preparing for an online exam on environmental engineering and process analytics, I explored i need someone to take my online course platforms to help organize my study and applications. That journey led me to discover exam-helper resources that enhanced my technical writing and analytical skills rather than simply offering shortcuts.
exploring Virtual Sensors to complement traditional hardware is a fascinating development, especially as physical sensors carry such high costs for installation and maintenance. This push for more cost effective, data driven monitoring mirrors the need for efficiency in all critical sectors, including healthcare. For students in public health or environmental health programs who are grappling with large, data heavy projects or tasks, remember that support is available; reliable healthcare assignment help online can provide the necessary analytical and writing guidance to manage challenging data effectively.
This is a fascinating look at how technology is reshaping the water industry. It reminds me of how careers are evolving too, data, innovation, and personal branding are becoming more important than ever. At CV Masters, we help professionals highlight their expertise through our professional LinkedIn profile service. Just like virtual sensors provide predictive insights, a strong LinkedIn profile offers recruiters and employers a clear, forward-looking picture of your skills and impact. It’s about being visible, credible, and ready for opportunities in a competitive landscape.
This is a fascinating discussion, especially for those of us with a background in infrastructure and environmental systems. As someone who recently drafted a civil engineering personal statement, I focused on the integration of smart technologies like virtual sensors in sustainable water management. The shift toward data-driven infrastructure is redefining how civil engineers approach real-time monitoring and long-term planning. Looking forward to insights from the upcoming workshop this tech has the potential to transform utility efficiency if applied strategically.
Ensure your writing meets UK English standards with professional British proofreading perfect for academic, business, and personal documents. From grammar and punctuation to spelling and style, we polish your content to reflect native British accuracy and clarity