How can the online monitoring system for drainage networks be improved?

　　 Online Monitoring of Drainage Networks The system installs monitoring devices within drainage pipes and associated structures (such as manholes) to continuously track parameters like water level and flow rate, triggering automatic alarms when thresholds are exceeded. On-site data is transmitted remotely via an IoT wireless network to the monitoring software. This online monitoring system enables drainage authorities to dynamically assess operational trends, promptly detect issues such as pipe blockages and sewage overflows, and swiftly implement measures for pipe clearing, drainage management, and flood prevention. At the same time, it provides robust data support for system operation scheduling, maintenance management, and infrastructure upgrade planning, thereby enhancing the overall level of information‑based management of the drainage network. Furthermore, the online monitoring system can be extended to encompass additional applications, including water quality monitoring, manhole cover displacement detection, hazardous gas concentration measurement, video surveillance, and pressure monitoring.

　　The water cycle on Earth comprises two main forms: the natural cycle and the anthropogenic cycle. The natural cycle primarily involves: evaporation of seawater → precipitation → runoff → discharge into the sea; while the anthropogenic cycle entails: evaporation of seawater → precipitation → water abstraction → water treatment → distribution → water use → wastewater discharge → wastewater treatment → discharge into the sea.

　　In China, after decades of development, substantial infrastructure has been built and considerable practical experience has been accumulated across the two major cycles of water intake, water treatment, water transmission, water use, and wastewater treatment, enabling the country to effectively respond to emergencies.

　　Capacity in drainage needs to be strengthened, as drainage issues typically fall into two common categories. First, inadequate drainage: in recent years, many regions have experienced flooding unseen for decades. In most urban areas, poor drainage has led to water entering homes, vehicles being submerged, and threats to pedestrian safety. Moreover, black‑odorous water bodies—caused by insufficient urban drainage and incomplete infrastructure—are now a widespread problem. Second, during periods of transition between dry and wet seasons, all rainwater is discharged; if rainfall remains absent for several consecutive months, severe drought can disrupt the normal functioning of cities.

　　To address the aforementioned issues, the state has formulated a series of policies, which primarily include: sponge city development, treatment of black and malodorous water bodies, dredging and upgrading of drainage networks, implementation of stormwater–sewage separation measures, elimination of direct industrial discharges and illegal effluent releases, correction of misconnections and misalignments in the sewer system, and, in line with urban development needs, the re‑optimization of online monitoring systems for drainage networks. By implementing these measures, it is possible to ensure the smooth operation of both urban areas and new rural communities, mitigate major flood and drought disasters, or reduce their occurrence, thereby minimizing associated losses.

　　In the process of identifying drainage issues, formulating engineering requirements for drainage projects, and evaluating the effectiveness of drainage facility optimization, Online Monitoring of Drainage Networks Monitoring system-related parameters is an indispensable and critical component.