systems have been proposed and implemented to perform new real-time event
detection (e.g. [4]).
Add to this the potential of customer alarms at vulnerable customer spots on the
network, then we can begin to consider the appearance of intelligence within the
wastewater network through improved monitoring and analysis.
If we accept there is no control on the gravity system, it is by actively managing
the pumped system that we can control the wastewater network by smoothing flows
in periods of dry weather using the capacity of the wastewater collection network.
In wet weather, especially if there is active monitoring of the meteorological
conditions, then the sewer can be pumped down in advance to create capacity within
the wastewater network. This is relatively simple within the pumped system, but
complications occur when used within the gravity network. Active system control of
the gravity can be used by installing gate systems to control the flow and use the
gravity network as a flow detention system [5].
2.2 Monitoring the Inputs into the System
When you break the smart wastewater network down to its constituent parts, and
look at the inputs into the system and how to measure them, there are some distinct
challenges as well as technology that already exists.
Looking at the three inputs into the sewer as shown in Fig. 1, we have:
• Input from the domestic customer
• Input from the industrial customer
• Input from the environment
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
09:00
Sewer Capacity (%)
Fig. 2 Hypothetical control of the sewer levels storm without control (first 24 h) and with control
(second 24 h)
Monitoring and Controlling a Smarter Wastewater Treatment System: A UK. . .
117
detection (e.g. [4]).
Add to this the potential of customer alarms at vulnerable customer spots on the
network, then we can begin to consider the appearance of intelligence within the
wastewater network through improved monitoring and analysis.
If we accept there is no control on the gravity system, it is by actively managing
the pumped system that we can control the wastewater network by smoothing flows
in periods of dry weather using the capacity of the wastewater collection network.
In wet weather, especially if there is active monitoring of the meteorological
conditions, then the sewer can be pumped down in advance to create capacity within
the wastewater network. This is relatively simple within the pumped system, but
complications occur when used within the gravity network. Active system control of
the gravity can be used by installing gate systems to control the flow and use the
gravity network as a flow detention system [5].
2.2 Monitoring the Inputs into the System
When you break the smart wastewater network down to its constituent parts, and
look at the inputs into the system and how to measure them, there are some distinct
challenges as well as technology that already exists.
Looking at the three inputs into the sewer as shown in Fig. 1, we have:
• Input from the domestic customer
• Input from the industrial customer
• Input from the environment
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
09:00
Sewer Capacity (%)
Fig. 2 Hypothetical control of the sewer levels storm without control (first 24 h) and with control
(second 24 h)
Monitoring and Controlling a Smarter Wastewater Treatment System: A UK. . .
117