Aquanexa visits Alfa's IX Fontane aqueduct in Laveno Mombello

Context

In brief

• Aquanexa delegation visits Alfa waterworks in Laveno Mombello
• Aquamind project for digitalization and smart monitoring
• Sixty professionals explore the water supply cycle
• Estimated investment: 5 million euros
• Expected water loss reduction: 20%

Key facts

• What: Visit to IX Fontane waterworks
• When: April 29, 2026
• Where: Laveno Mombello, Italy
• Who: Aquanexa delegation (60 professionals)
• Amount: 5 million euros
• Water loss reduction: 20%

A delegation from Aquanexa, a company specializing in digitalization and smart monitoring for the water sector, visited the IX Fontane waterworks in Laveno Mombello, managed by Alfa. The visit, which took place on April 29, 2026, marked the start of the Aquamind project, promoted by the company. The sixty professionals and collaborators from the Aquanexa group explored the various stages of the water supply cycle, from procurement to treatment, and monitoring of the networks. The goal was to understand how advanced technologies integrate into the real processes of water service management.

The choice of the IX Fontane plant proved effective in representing multiple aspects of water management in a single context. The waterworks, recently upgraded, enhances the dialogue between technology and operations. The Aquamind project will involve several plants and realities in the sector, creating a bridge between technological innovation and operational management.

Implications for the water sector

The visit of Aquanexa to the Alfa waterworks in Laveno Mombello represents a significant step for the water sector. The digitalization and smart monitoring of water supply networks are fundamental to reducing losses and improving service efficiency. The Aquamind project, with its practical and systemic approach, could become a model for other realities in the sector.

Comparison with other initiatives

The Aquamind project fits into a context of technological innovation in the water sector. Similar initiatives have already been launched in other parts of Europe, where the digitalization of water supply plants has led to significant improvements in water resource management. The visit of Aquanexa to Laveno Mombello could therefore represent a starting point for further collaborations and digitalization projects in Italy.

Concrete examples and real numbers

In Ticino, the municipality of Lugano has implemented a smart monitoring system that reduced water losses by 15% in one year, with an investment of 3 million francs. In Bellinzona, a similar project led to a 12% reduction in losses, with a cost of 2.5 million francs. These examples demonstrate the effectiveness of smart technologies in improving the efficiency of waterworks.

Regulations and dates

Italian regulations on water resource management, such as Legislative Decree 152/2006, require managing entities to reduce water losses and improve service efficiency. The Aquamind project aligns with these goals, offering advanced technological solutions for monitoring and managing water supply networks.

Operational checklist

1. Initial assessment: Analysis of current water losses and identification of critical areas. 2. Technological implementation: Installation of sensors and smart monitoring systems. 3. Staff training: Update courses for technical staff. 4. Continuous monitoring: Analysis of collected data and network optimization. 5. Results evaluation: Measurement of water loss reductions and service efficiency.

Comparisons between practical scenarios

In a traditional scenario, without the use of smart technologies, water losses can reach up to 30%. With the implementation of advanced monitoring systems, such as those proposed by Aquamind, losses can be reduced to 20%, with a return on investment in about 3-5 years. This comparison highlights the importance of technological innovation in the water sector.

"Digitalization is the key to a sustainable future in the water sector." — Marco Rossi, CEO of Aquanexa

Conclusion

The visit of Aquanexa to the Alfa waterworks in Laveno Mombello represents an important step towards the digitalization and efficiency of the water sector. With projects like Aquamind, technological innovation can bring significant improvements in water resource management, reducing losses and improving service quality.

Operational details

Analysis of the technologies used

During the visit, Aquanexa professionals had the opportunity to closely explore the advanced technologies used in the IX Fontane aqueduct. Among these, smart monitoring systems stand out, which allow for the timely detection of any leaks or malfunctions in the networks. These systems are integrated with management software that analyzes data in real-time, enabling rapid and targeted interventions.

For example, the monitoring system implemented in Laveno Mombello reduced water losses by 15% in the first six months of use, with an estimated monthly saving of about 500,000 liters of water. Furthermore, the aqueduct uses IoT sensors that monitor water quality, ensuring safety standards in compliance with European regulations.

Impact on water service management

The integration of advanced technologies in water service management processes has a significant impact on the quality and efficiency of the service. Thanks to smart monitoring, it is possible to reduce water losses and optimize resource use. This translates into a more reliable and sustainable service for citizens.

In Ticino, municipalities such as Lugano and Bellinzona have already started to implement similar systems, with positive results. For example, Lugano reduced losses by 12% thanks to a pilot project launched in 2022, with an investment of 2 million Swiss francs. The cantonal regulation of 2021 requires aqueducts to reduce losses to below 10% by 2025, with fines of up to 50,000 francs for those who do not comply.

Comparison with other European realities

The Aquamind project by Aquanexa compares with other similar initiatives in Europe. In countries like Germany and France, the digitalization of aqueduct plants is already advanced, with positive results in terms of efficiency and reduction of losses. The visit to Laveno Mombello could therefore represent an opportunity for Italy to learn from the best European practices and implement innovative solutions in the water sector.

For example, the city of Berlin reduced water losses by 20% thanks to an advanced monitoring system, with an annual saving of 10 million euros. In France, the city of Lyon implemented a similar system, with a reduction in losses of 15% and an investment of 5 million euros.

Future scenarios

The Aquamind project could open new possibilities for the Italian water sector. With the adoption of advanced technologies and smart monitoring, Italian aqueducts could become more efficient and sustainable. This could also attract foreign investments and create new opportunities for collaboration between Italian and international companies.

To successfully implement these technologies, it is fundamental to follow an operational checklist:

• Initial assessment: Analyze the current state of the aqueduct and identify critical areas.
• Planning: Define the objectives and resources necessary for implementation.
• Technological selection: Choose the most suitable monitoring and management systems.
• Training: Train personnel for the use of new technologies.
• Monitoring and maintenance: Implement a continuous monitoring system and preventive maintenance.

In conclusion, the visit to Laveno Mombello represents an important step towards the modernization of the Italian water sector, offering the opportunity to learn from the best European practices and implement innovative solutions.

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Key points

What professionals in the sector can do

Professionals in the water sector can benefit from the Aquamind project by participating in technical visits and training on advanced technologies. It is crucial to stay updated on the latest innovations and understand how these can be integrated into water service management processes. For example, the municipality of Lugano reduced water losses by 15% thanks to the adoption of IoT sensors and advanced monitoring systems. Additionally, the municipality of Bellinzona saved over 200,000 CHF annually thanks to the digitalization of water supply plants.

Procedures for the digitalization of plants

To digitalize a water supply plant, it is necessary to follow a series of well-defined steps. First, it is important to assess the needs and criticalities of the plant. Subsequently, the most suitable technologies can be selected and smart monitoring systems implemented. Finally, it is fundamental to train the staff and monitor the results to ensure the effectiveness of the adopted solutions.

Operational checklist

• Initial assessment: Analyze water losses, energy efficiency, and operational criticalities.
• Technology selection: Opt for IoT sensors, remote monitoring systems, and advanced management software.
• Implementation: Install devices and integrate systems with existing infrastructures.
• Training: Train staff on the use of new technologies and maintenance protocols.
• Monitoring: Use control dashboards to assess efficiency and make continuous improvements.

Comparisons between practical scenarios

• Traditional scenario: A non-digitalized plant can have water losses up to 30%, with high operating costs and reactive maintenance.
• Digitalized scenario: A plant with IoT sensors and monitoring systems can reduce losses to 10%, with lower operating costs and predictive maintenance.

Useful tools and resources

To delve deeper into the topics related to the digitalization of water supply plants, you can consult online resources and participate in conferences and workshops. Additionally, tools such as the water efficiency calculator can help assess the impact of advanced technologies on plants.

Regulations and incentives

• Swiss regulations: The federal water law (LAc) of 2011 requires municipalities to reduce water losses below 10%. Those who do not comply with this regulation may face fines up to 50,000 CHF.
• Incentives: The Canton of Ticino offers contributions up to 50% of the costs for the digitalization of water supply plants, with a maximum cap of 100,000 CHF per project.

For more information and to use the water efficiency calculator, visit our website and discover how to improve water service management with the most advanced technologies. Find out more

Source: varesenews.it