Smart Rainwater Tanks as a Rainguage Network and Dam for Flood Control

We propose the use of smart rainwater tanks (SRTs) equipped with water-level sensors, outflow monitors, and water pump controls. In our design, SRTs are connected via a network that enables monitoring data to be collected and pump-control commands to be issued to individual tanks. These connected tanks form part of a rainwater grid system (RGS). It will also be possible to monitor rainfall amount using the RGS since it functions as a high-resolution rain gauge. This is important because Heavy rainfall can cause serious attenuation of the reflectivity of rain cells monitored by X-band multi-parameter (MP) weather radar networks. A prototype SRT system has been installed in a gravel-filled 110 tons underground tank in the Oginoura Garden Suburb, which is a maisonette-type housing complex, where its functions are now being tested. Initial results indicate that measuring rainfall using the gravel-filled underground tank is not suitable due to spikes in the water level after a heavy rainfall event has occurred. So, we decide to install a void type of 5.6 tons rainwater tank to the personal house for Moriyama. It will be installed a sensors at the first quarter of 2016. For pre-discharge of rainwater before heavy rainfall, diagnosis for heavy rainfall by using SOM is installed. This diagnosis is installed on "Internet Cloud" and possible to send a order to SRTs with pumps. The accuracy of diagnosis for heavy rainfall is investigated, but it is only for Aug. 2014, it should be more investigation.