Sanitary and stormwater sewers are buried assets that play important roles in the prevention of diseases and the reduction of health risks for our societies. Due to their hidden nature, these assets are not frequently assessed and maintained to optimal conditions. The lack of maintenance can cause sewer blockages and overflows that result in the release of pathogens into the environment. For cities, monitoring sewer conditions on a large-scale can be costly, time-consuming, and labor-intensive if using current low-throughput technologies, such as dye testing or closed-circuit television. Alternatively, smart sensor systems can provide low-cost, high-throughput, and automatic data-driven features for real-time monitoring applications. In this study, we developed ultrahigh-frequency radio-frequency identification (UHF RFID)-based sensors that are flushable and suitable for sanitary and stormwater pipes quick surveys. 3D printed RFID sensors were designed to float at the water-air interface and minimize the water interference to RF signal communications. The optimal detection range was also determined to support the design and installation of the reader in various utility holes. Field trials demonstrated that the UHF RFID system is a low-cost, high-throughput, and robust solution for monitoring blockage, illicit-connection, and water flow in sewer networks.

污水和下水道是掩埋的资产，在预防疾病和减少我们社会的健康风险方面发挥着重要作用。由于这些资产的隐藏性质，因此不经常对其进行评估并将其保持在最佳状态。缺乏维护会导致下水道堵塞和溢流，导致病原体释放到环境中。对于城市而言，如果使用当前的低吞吐量技术（例如染料测试或闭路电视），则大规模监控下水道条件可能会耗资，费时且费力。另外，智能传感器系统可以为实时监视应用程序提供低成本，高吞吐量和自动数据驱动的功能。在这项研究中，我们开发了基于超高频射频识别（UHF RFID）的传感器，该传感器可冲洗，适用于卫生和雨水管道快速测量。3D打印RFID传感器设计为漂浮在水-空气界面处，并最大程度地减少了水对RF信号通信的干扰。还确定了最佳检测范围，以支持阅读器在各种公用设施孔中的设计和安装。现场试验表明，UHF RFID系统是一种低成本，高吞吐量且功能强大的解决方案，用于监控下水道网络中的堵塞，非法连接和水流。还确定了最佳检测范围，以支持阅读器在各种公用设施孔中的设计和安装。现场试验表明，UHF RFID系统是一种低成本，高吞吐量且功能强大的解决方案，用于监控下水道网络中的堵塞，非法连接和水流。还确定了最佳检测范围，以支持阅读器在各种公用设施孔中的设计和安装。现场试验表明，UHF RFID系统是一种低成本，高吞吐量且功能强大的解决方案，用于监控下水道网络中的堵塞，非法连接和水流。