Flooding is a serious and increasing problem. The cost of damage caused by flooding is directly related to the warning-time given before a flood occurs. Therefore, improving the coverage, accuracy and reliability of flood prediction systems is of great importance. As a result, there is a need to deploy more sophisticated sensor networks to detect and react to flooding.

Water flow detection is based on physical principles of a thermal anemometer using sophisticated electronics to heat a small section of pipe while two sensors monitor the amount of energy necessary to maintain a preset water temperature. Flow is sensed when the water carries away heat within the pipe. The system electronics causes more power to compensate for the loss of heat caused by the water flowing. The unheated sensor uses a patent pending algorighym to monitor the relative water temperature to ensure proper operation regardless of the absolute water temperature. Water flow that exceeds the timeout limit triggers an alarm condition which can signal the property owner in numerous ways including an audible siren or wireless connection to a pre-existing alarm system.

The easiest way to reduce the risk of burst pipes causing severe damage to a building is to first install a security system with flood monitoring capabilities. With flood detection monitoring, your property alarm will alert a monitoring centre if it detects rising water in the building or area, which could be caused by broken pipes, flooding, etc. Installing a flood monitoring system could save money and the chance of severe property damage.

Flood monitoring also includes testing of drinking water possibly contaminated by overflowing septic tanks and cesspools after a flood. In flood monitoring, this can pose a real problem. Tank monitoring systems capable of detecting leaks as small as 0.1 gallons-per-hour can help with such issues.

Flood monitoring and Early Warning system are available for any size of water course from a large estuary to the smallest of streams or brooks. The system works very efficiently at Trash Screen locations which are so often the cause of localised flooding when they become blocked through collected debris.

If water level or flow data reaches pre-set low or high alarms, it becomes possible to minimise the effects of flooding or leakages. The provision of real time data also assists resource management ensuring that underperforming or faulty sites can be targeted and rectified immediately. Some flood monitoring systems can be connected to an auto-dialler telephone device; it can alert anyone by telephone that a problem exists. Other leek detection equipment when connected to an electric water valve, it can shut-off the water automatically until the system is manually reset. Wireless operation is also available for signalling where wires prove difficult to install.

General trends across different measurement technologies reflect market drivers. Refined digital electronics are making level sensors and other measurement devices more user-friendly, more reliable, easier to set up, and less expensive. Flood alarms are specifically aimed at protecting your property from flood damage or to let you know when something is leaking.