Monitoring underground water levels in Norway

Smart monitoring of underground water in Stavanger, Skien and Porsgrunn

Project and customer description

Several Norwegian cities, including Stavanger, Skien, and Porsgrunn, have adopted Sensoneo smart monitoring technology to improve the management of underground water in manholes. These municipalities are required by national legislation to control flood levels and ensure public safety, which makes accurate and continuous monitoring essential.

Challenge

Traditional threshold-based monitoring methods were not sufficient for meeting the municipalities’ needs. Authorities required real-time, continuous data on underground water levels in order to prevent flooding and manage risks more effectively. A more advanced solution was necessary to ensure compliance with regulations and to provide early warnings of potential hazards.

Solution

Sensoneo ultrasonic sensors, originally designed for waste monitoring, were adapted to measure water levels in manholes. The sensors were installed and distributed by Sensoneo’s Norwegian reseller partner, with long-term evaluation of results planned.

Connectivity is provided via both NB-IoT and LoRaWAN networks, ensuring stable and reliable data transmission. The system delivers real-time insights into underground water conditions, enabling municipalities to monitor levels continuously and respond proactively.

Impact

The deployment of smart sensors has given Stavanger, Skien, and Porsgrunn a powerful tool to monitor underground water levels in real time. This solution allows municipalities to better manage flood risks, comply with national regulations, and protect both infrastructure and citizens. By relying on accurate, continuous monitoring instead of threshold-based systems, they gain earlier warnings of potential hazards and can plan preventive measures more effectively.

Key achievements:

• Comprehensive digitalization of water-level monitoring infrastructure
• Reliable real-time monitoring of underground water in manholes
• Improved compliance with national flood-control regulations
• Data-driven prevention of flooding risks
• Reduced operational costs compared to manual inspections
• Enhanced protection of infrastructure and public safety