5G for WATer supply management and Emergency Response Recovery for Ilirska Bistrica smart municipality (5G WAT ERR IB)

Focusing on water management as well as safety and emergency response, this project will enable improving efficiency, reducing water wastage, and enhancing sustainability.

To achieve this, the project will deploy a 5G standalone (SA) private and hybrid network (in combination with a long-range wide area network) in the municipality of Ilirska Bistrica, Slovenia.

What will it provide?

The project will enable real-time monitoring and control of the water supply system to improve efficiency, reduce water wastage, and enhance sustainability, with the main goal of modernising public services in Ilirska Bistrica. By leveraging 5G and internet of things (IoT) technologies, the project will strengthen emergency response capabilities by providing reliable communication and coordination during critical situations, such as wildfires, floods, and search-and-rescue missions, particularly in remote and hard-to-reach areas.

How will it work?

The project's 5G SA private and hybrid network (in combination with long-range wide area network) will enable the implementation of two use cases:

1. Smart water supply system - The network will improve water supply efficiency and sustainability in the municipality of Ilirska Bistrica by leveraging 5G and IoT-enabled sensors deployed across the water network. Ultra-reliable, low-latency 5G connectivity ensures instant data transmission to control centres, while IoT-enabled sensors provide real-time monitoring of water pressure, flow and quality. This enables proactive leak detection, contamination prevention and optimised resource distribution.
2. Emergency response - The network will integrate mobile 5G base stations and drones to provide real-time aerial surveillance, rapid communication and reliable coverage in critical areas, significantly enhancing emergency management. Deployable within three hours, mobile 5G base stations provide seamless communication between emergency teams by offering temporary coverage in remote areas. In addition, 5G-connected drones deliver real-time aerial surveillance of wildfires, floods and search-and-rescue missions, significantly improving situational awareness, decision-making and response efficiency.

How will it be built?

The project will deploy a 5G SA private and hybrid network (in combination with long-range wide area network). These will comprise 14 radio sites across Ilirska Bistrica, 22 base stations, supported by mobile 5G trailers, and portable units for emergency situations. The hybrid architecture will integrate long range wide area network at 868 MHz with the 5G core, ensuring low-power monitoring and connectivity for water management.

How can I find out more about the project?

The European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA)

Contact HaDEA

Read more information

Visit the project page in the EU Funding and Tenders Portal (europa.eu)

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