SMART SEWER
Prevent sewer overflows with level sensors connected by Taggle’s LPWAN and powerful software solutions.
Preventing Sewer Overflows
Sewer level sensing to prevent overflows
Sewer Level Monitoring
Level sensors obtain near real time data to make fact-based operational decisions, allowing for proactive rather than reactive clearing and cleaning.
With smart technology, operational teams can address blockages before they become costly overflow events that impact on public health, cause environmental damage and can quickly ruin a Councils reputation.
Improved sewer network understanding in different climatic events provides valuable insights as to when problems may occur. This allows for better workforce planning in both dry and wet weather events to maintain the sewer network.
The data collected provides improved insight on the relationship between duration and intensity of rain and the flows (and overflows). Such insight can help direct investments such as Inflow & Infiltration (I&I) inspections and sewer relining to areas with the highest potential for return on investments.
Other factors that influence and impact the sewer network can also be monitored on the Taggle network including rainfall, weather and water levels in the environment. Correlation between this data within Aqualus Vision can provide answers and lead to improved network management.
The impact of rainfall and rising ground water on sewer levels can clearly be seen
Monitoring Gas and Odour
SA Water installing H2S sensors
Monitoring odours within the community
Smart Sewer Networks
Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) generated in wastewater networks attacks concrete, leading to accelerated deterioration of concrete mains and structures.
To minimise corrosion, ventilating the wastewater network through the use of induct and educt vents constructed on wastewater mains and pump stations. This minimises moisture content in the air in the network and reduces the amount of H2S converting into sulphuric acid, in turn extending the life of the concrete wastewater assets.
However, ventilating the sewer network means H2S is released into the environment, which introduces the potential to create odours that can affect the community. These environmental levels are relatively low, however the human nose is particularly sensitive to H2S gas.
H2S detection sensors and weather stations, assist in building a better understanding of odour behaviour and dispersion, and improve proactive management of the issue over time.
The weather stations monitor climatic conditions like wind direction and speed as well as ambient air temperature, which can impact the way odours move and are experienced outside the network
Benefits of Smart Sewer Networks
Reduce flooding and overflow events with early warning alerts if the water level is outside of an expected normal range
Alerts to developing blockages and problem areas requiring maintenance
Measure the impact of rain and groundwater on overflows and the effects of different climatic events
Investigate problem areas to find the route cause of the problem using data and analytics
Detect unsafe gas build up within the sewer network
Monitor the level of gasses in the network to identify and flush build ups that increase erosion
Utilise weather stations to identify the best times to flush the sewer network to reduce the odour build up within the community
Monitor for high levels of odour within the areas surrounding ventilation points
Articles and Case Studies
Mackay Regional Council – Case Study of the first trial of the technology
“There is improved insight gained through the data on the relationship between duration and intensity of rain and the flows (and overflows). Such insight can help direct investments such as I&I inspections and sewer relining to areas with the highest potential for return on investments.”
Building a Smart Wastewater Network
“By receiving, analysing and understanding the data from these sensors, SA Water aims to detect the occurrence of surcharging and predict chokes as or before they form. This enables the utility to proactively dispatch cleaning crews to investigate and clear any chokes before they result in wastewater overflows affecting customers or the environment.”
SA Water’s sewer smart tech success
SA Water’s Acting General Manager of Asset Operations and Delivery, Peter Seltsikas, said that since the Stonyfell pilot went live in October 2018, ten potential sewage overflows have been detected and prevented.
“That’s ten overflows that could have impacted the community, by either going into the street, environment or someone’s house or business,” Mr Sektsikas said.
SA Water gets smart with Gawlers gases
“The underground sensors particularly – which can be remotely monitored – will become our eyes and ears.
“The weather stations will monitor climatic conditions like wind direction and air temperature, which can impact the way odours move and are experienced outside our network.” SA Water’s Senior Manager of Asset Management Peter Seltsikas
Get in touch with our team to discuss latest projects and findings and how the technology may be able to assist your Council or Utility.
Call us 02 8999 1919
