How Bad Münstereifel minimizes risk with Smart Sensor Technology
In the wake of the 2021 flood disaster, the town of Bad Münstereifel opted for an intelligent alerting system to monitor its watercourses. The solution from Endress+Hauser and Okeanos stands out for its high measurement frequency, energy efficiency, and ease of use.
The challenge
Bad Münstereifel is located in the upper reaches of the Erft River, and several tributaries of the Ahr also originate within the town’s boundaries. Despite their short courses, some of these smaller waterways drain catchment areas covering several square kilometers. During heavy rainfall, their steep gradients can turn them into raging torrents within minutes. The at times insufficient availability of information during the 2021 flood made clear just how important reliable early flood detection is for the town.
The solution
As part of the project, 13 self-sufficient water level sensors were installed. At the core of the system is its dynamic measurement and transmission logic. The sensor measures continuously at one-minute intervals, while data transmission depends on the water level. Under normal, non-critical conditions, data is transmitted every 12 hours. As soon as a defined threshold is exceeded, the transmission interval adjusts automatically: data is then sent hourly or even every five minutes. This creates an intelligent balance between up-to-date data availability and energy efficiency — a crucial advantage for self-sufficient monitoring stations.
In addition to water level, the sensor also records its angle of inclination. This value helps detect tampering or unintended changes in the sensor’s position — for example, if external influences cause the sensor to hang at an angle and thus produce distorted readings.
The sensors were installed without complication and with on-site support from an Endress+Hauser service technician. Thanks to their design, the sensors could be mounted quickly and flexibly — ideal for hard-to-access locations along the waterways.
Early flood warning
The recorded data is processed in the Okeanos.VIVID alerting system developed by Okeanos Smart Data Solutions GmbH. The system combines hydrological expertise, online data, and innovative AI algorithms to provide catchment-specific protection. In Bad Münstereifel, river gauge levels, radar precipitation data, and the sensor’s water level readings are currently being analyzed and processed. Individual notifications — for example, in the event of critical water levels or technical irregularities — can be configured both on a PC and on mobile devices.
Because of the particular risk posed by small watercourses with short flow times, the town also plans to use flood forecasting in the future. To this end, additional soil moisture data will be collected and processed operationally. As a result, an AI model may be able to assess whether flooding or inundation is imminent even before the first raindrop falls.
What particularly impressed the town of Bad Münstereifel was the combination of low energy consumption, minimal maintenance requirements, high-quality sensor technology, and the user-friendly operation and performance of the Okeanos.VIVID flood forecasting platform.
The result
- AI-based early warning through the analysis of sensor data
- More energy-efficient operation thanks to intelligent transmission logic
- Self-sufficient sensor technology with simple and fast installation
Additional measured values such as the angle of inclination for detecting tampering
Text taken from the original – Endress+Hauser
