2 Smart Wastewater Network
The smart wastewater network has been around as a concept since the early 1970s
when one was installed in Minnesota in the USA, and there have been a number
of notable examples of smart wastewater networks in other countries [2]. In the
Minnesota case study, the main aim of the project was to separate out the combined
system. As this was very early days in both instrumentation and automation, the
system was limited but worked well. There are numerous examples from Europe too,
including the installation of a smart wastewater network in Barcelona for the 1992
Olympics due to flooding and pollution issues. The initial solution was a €150
million interceptor sewer under the centre of the city. The smart wastewater network
solution, including three new storm water detention tanks, reduced the capital cost of
the work needed to approximately 1/3 of the initial solution.
The aims of the wastewater network in its purest terms are to collect wastewater
and to transfer it to the WTW. Where there is a combined system with combined
storm overflows, there is a risk to the environment. As the overall environmental aim
is to reduce the pollutant load, then controlling the wastewater network whilst
maximising the throughput and minimising the losses (whilst also protecting the
customer) is the aim of the smart network element of the wastewater system [2].
Several other smart wastewater network solutions have been built in cities around
the world including five in Paris, some of which have been operating for over
25 years, and one in Tokyo in Japan. The first smart wastewater network to be
built in the UK in the Eastney Catchment of Southern Water was largely based upon
modelling of the network with Innovyze’s ICMLive modelling programme with
various inputs from the network [3].
To summarise, what is the initial aim of the smart wastewater network, and what
can we learn from the examples that have been installed around the world? The main
aims are:
• To protect the customer from flooding from the sewer
• To detect blockages within the network from sewer misuse
• To prevent, where possible, the use of combined storm overflows especially in
dry weather and funnel as much wastewater to the WwTW as possible
• To facilitate the efficient operation of the entire wastewater system (including
both the wastewater collection system and the WwTW)
2.1 Philosophy of Operation
So, in order to achieve a smart wastewater network, what is the philosophy of
operation? In the wastewater network, the philosophy of operation will actually
change depending upon the underlying climatic condition. In dry weather the main
aim, in the gravity sewer, is to manage the flows so that septicity is minimised by
managing the throughput of the sewer and ensuring that the detention time in the
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The smart wastewater network has been around as a concept since the early 1970s
when one was installed in Minnesota in the USA, and there have been a number
of notable examples of smart wastewater networks in other countries [2]. In the
Minnesota case study, the main aim of the project was to separate out the combined
system. As this was very early days in both instrumentation and automation, the
system was limited but worked well. There are numerous examples from Europe too,
including the installation of a smart wastewater network in Barcelona for the 1992
Olympics due to flooding and pollution issues. The initial solution was a €150
million interceptor sewer under the centre of the city. The smart wastewater network
solution, including three new storm water detention tanks, reduced the capital cost of
the work needed to approximately 1/3 of the initial solution.
The aims of the wastewater network in its purest terms are to collect wastewater
and to transfer it to the WTW. Where there is a combined system with combined
storm overflows, there is a risk to the environment. As the overall environmental aim
is to reduce the pollutant load, then controlling the wastewater network whilst
maximising the throughput and minimising the losses (whilst also protecting the
customer) is the aim of the smart network element of the wastewater system [2].
Several other smart wastewater network solutions have been built in cities around
the world including five in Paris, some of which have been operating for over
25 years, and one in Tokyo in Japan. The first smart wastewater network to be
built in the UK in the Eastney Catchment of Southern Water was largely based upon
modelling of the network with Innovyze’s ICMLive modelling programme with
various inputs from the network [3].
To summarise, what is the initial aim of the smart wastewater network, and what
can we learn from the examples that have been installed around the world? The main
aims are:
• To protect the customer from flooding from the sewer
• To detect blockages within the network from sewer misuse
• To prevent, where possible, the use of combined storm overflows especially in
dry weather and funnel as much wastewater to the WwTW as possible
• To facilitate the efficient operation of the entire wastewater system (including
both the wastewater collection system and the WwTW)
2.1 Philosophy of Operation
So, in order to achieve a smart wastewater network, what is the philosophy of
operation? In the wastewater network, the philosophy of operation will actually
change depending upon the underlying climatic condition. In dry weather the main
aim, in the gravity sewer, is to manage the flows so that septicity is minimised by
managing the throughput of the sewer and ensuring that the detention time in the
Monitoring and Controlling a Smarter Wastewater Treatment System: A UK. . .
115