In recent years, rapid developments have been made in
wireless/wired sensor networks (WSN) for various applications
such as environmental monitoring, infrastructure security
and water distribution systems monitoring. Application
of WSN for water distribution is being extensively studied,
employing different sensors capable of continuously collecting
and transmitting hydraulic and water quality measurements
at fine temporal resolution.
This facilitates an accurate, constantly updated representation
of conditions in the distribution system. It allows for an
improved real-time decision support system for analyzing,
modeling, and controlling water supply systems. The application
of WSN in water supply systems for securing water
quality principally focuses on: (1) selecting water quality
parameters that are good indicators of contamination, (2)
deciding on the number and locations of sensors in a water
distribution system, and (3) performing temporal data analyses
for identification of possible quality faults.
An important subset of WSNs is represented by mobile
wireless sensor networks (MWSNs), where the sensing unit is
not deployed in fixed, permanent positions, but is able to
move within the selected environment. This research proposes
to explore how the inclusion of mobile sensors for inline
monitoring of various water quality parameters can enhance
water distribution systems security.