Sewer Inspections with Drones in Berlin
Underground Surveillance: Drones Take Charge of Berlin's Sewer Networks
Berlin's municipal water service (BWB) is taking to the skies with drones, navigating the city's sewage channels in search of leaks, cracks, and invasive roots. By scrutinizing inaccessible areas, the state-owned company is boosting the efficiency of maintenance and repair efforts.
The BWB stands to gain from these drones: no more pre-inspection pipe cleanings and eventual autonomy in the search for potential disasters. With advancements in technology, the drones are set to shrink even further.
In 2021, the BWB allocated approximately 251 million euros for repairing the colossal 19,000-kilometer pipe and canal network. The total infrastructure investment reached 1.5 billion euros, accounting for 41% of the company's turnover according to Economy Senator Franziska Giffey (47, SPD). That's over a million euros daily, she calculates.
Price Freeze for Berliners Until 2027
So, where does the money come from? Residents in Berlin will avoid price increases until 2027, as the Senate has enforced a price freeze and waived its own profits (nearly 58 million euros in 2024/25). Despite this, 127 million euros from the BWB's profit will continue to flow into the state budget, serving as a reliable source.
Giffey promises modest price increases in the near future: "We're not talking about exorbitant amounts. Picture a penny increase, significantly less than a euro, making it less than a daily cup of coffee. That's the projection."
Revitalization of Old Waterworks
Currently, 1.69 euros is charged for 1,000 liters of water, and 2.25 euros for wastewater. The average Berliner uses approximately 110 liters per day or 3,000 liters per month for around 5 euros. Giffey states, "We provide a healthy standard of drinking water at a rate that's below the national average."
In an effort to diversify the water supply, disused waterworks will once again come to life. Renowned examples include Johannisthal and Jungfernheide. To quicken the process in the north, wells will be tapped, and the raw water will be transported to Tegel for treatment.
Water scarcity is not a concern in the capital, as Giffey asserts, "Forcing restrictions on water usage doesn't yield substantial results. It's the consumers who use more water who should pay more."
- The advancements in technology are not limited to sewer inspections, as they are also transforming finance and investing, offering a new era of automation for real-estate and housing-market transactions.
- With recent policy-and-legislation changes, political representatives are now discussing the implications of technology-driven investments in gadgets and general-news industries.
- The boost in the efficiency of maintenance efforts in Berlin's water service is significant, considering that the sector represents a substantial portion of the city's general-news headlines.
- As residents in Berlin benefit from the price freeze, the city's economy stands to strengthen, potentially attracting more investors interested in real-estate and housing-market opportunities.
- Moving forward, it is crucial to follow the progress of both the technological advancements revolutionizing the various sectors and the policy-and-legislation implications, particularly in finance, investing, and the housing market.
