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Smart Sensor Network for Flood Monitoring and Water Quality

Solution Overview

Through collaboration with the French government, Tbilisi implemented an early warning system following a devastating flood in 2015.[1] In 2022, preparations were underway to install 37 smart sensors throughout the city to strengthen resilience to the effects of climate change, including flood risks, and prevent the degradation of surface water quality.[2][3][4] This approach transforms climate vulnerability into proactive disaster risk management through advanced monitoring infrastructure.

Technical Components

The system provides advanced forecasting with 30-60 minute predictions and includes real-time rainfall and water level tracking.[1] Technical infrastructure comprises 30 satellite antennas distributed across the city and 3 smart CCTV cameras for real-time river monitoring.[1] The sensors were installed within the context of a technical assistance project implemented by the City Hall in cooperation with the Tbilservice Group SUEZ Group.[2] The monitoring network targets the Mtkvari River at Tbilisi, which has a catchment area of 27,500 km2, an average annual discharge of 205 m3/s, a maximum discharge of 1,280 m3/s, and a minimum discharge of 35.0 m3/s.[5] The National Environmental Agency conducts regular monitoring of the Mtkvari River basin's water quality at 67 points annually.[8]

Implementation Details

The €735,000 project showcases how cities can build resilience against climate challenges through smart technology and international partnerships.[1] Following the 2015 flash flooding, the Tbilisi City Hall introduced regulations to prevent the issuance of building permits in risk areas and adopted a flood early warning system, installing a monitoring system in three landslide zones in 2016, which were consolidated with an additional monitoring system installed on Matchavariani Street and nearby slopes.[2] The implementation addressed regional hydrological patterns, as the rivers of Eastern Georgia are characterized by spring floods caused by snowmelt and spring rains, with low water levels in summer and winter.[5]

Benefits and Impacts

The heavy rainfall of June 2015 in Tbilisi caused flash flooding from the overflowing of the riverbanks that claimed 21 lives and resulted in around USD 50 million in infrastructure damage.[2] This system provides operational benefits through 30-60 minute advance warning capabilities, enabling emergency response teams to act before flood conditions materialize.[1] Real-time monitoring across multiple parameters supports both immediate disaster response and long-term water quality management objectives.[1]

Climate Adaptation Relevance

This approach directly addresses extreme precipitation events and riverine flooding hazards that pose significant risks to urban populations and infrastructure. The system's capacity to monitor rainfall intensity, water levels, and provide short-term forecasting enables proactive evacuation and emergency response measures during flash flood conditions.

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