something to be treated as efficiently as possible but actually something with a
negative value as it is considered as a waste. In the past few years, due to a growing
awareness of environmental issues and a sustainable circular economy, this has very
much changed towards elements of wastewater being considered a resource. An
example of this is energy and biosolids from wastewater sludges, but there are many
more resources to be gained including water, phosphorous and many other nutrients
within the matrix being reused as resources. It is a balance however because, if
phosphorus is stripped from the biosolids, then it is not available in the biosolid
when it is applied to agricultural land. So, when thinking of wastewater and biosolids
as a resource, the industry has to consider what the market is, and what product is
being made available for that market. As the WwTW becomes a production factory,
the processes within that factory must be measured and controlled to ensure efficiency of production and the quality of the products.
There are also efficiencies to be gained in how production processes are controlled. The value of this is not to think about the WwTW and the wastewater
collection network as separate entities, as in the past, but to think of it as part of
one dynamic system. Controlling the flow of wastewater through the collection
network and funnelling it towards the WwTW not only has energy benefits by
smoothing at the flow profile but has the potential benefit of protecting both the
customer and the environment.
By measuring the state of the system and utilising operational models, there are
large benefits to be gained. The minimum benefit comes from simple operational
visualisation that allows for potential pollution detection, and the maximum benefits
are realised by using advanced control of the entire wastewater system. By utilising
automated control of the system and operational models within the wider wastewater
system, efficiencies in energy consumption and customer and environmental
protection can be achieved. These include balancing flows through the network,
monitoring areas that are at risk of flooding, preventing sewer overflows where
possible and allowing the maximum flow through the treatment system. Some
aspects of this smarter approach are currently implemented, but there is not yet
one system consistently using all these tools at this time.
References
1. UKWIR (2012) A review of the effectiveness of Mogden Formula charging when meeting
modern sewage treatment works consents. UKWIR, London
2. Kellagher R, Osbourne M (2013) Factors limiting the use of ASC on sewerage systems in the
UK project report. UKWIR, London
3. Kellagher R, Osbourne M (2013) The use of active system control when designing sewerage
systems: a guide. UKWIR, London
4. Mounce SR, Shepherd W, Sailor G, Saul A, Boxall JB (2014) Application of artificial neural
networks to assess CSO performance. In: 13th international conference on urban drainage,
Sarawak, Malaysia, 7–12 Sept 2014
Monitoring and Controlling a Smarter Wastewater Treatment System: A UK. . .
137
negative value as it is considered as a waste. In the past few years, due to a growing
awareness of environmental issues and a sustainable circular economy, this has very
much changed towards elements of wastewater being considered a resource. An
example of this is energy and biosolids from wastewater sludges, but there are many
more resources to be gained including water, phosphorous and many other nutrients
within the matrix being reused as resources. It is a balance however because, if
phosphorus is stripped from the biosolids, then it is not available in the biosolid
when it is applied to agricultural land. So, when thinking of wastewater and biosolids
as a resource, the industry has to consider what the market is, and what product is
being made available for that market. As the WwTW becomes a production factory,
the processes within that factory must be measured and controlled to ensure efficiency of production and the quality of the products.
There are also efficiencies to be gained in how production processes are controlled. The value of this is not to think about the WwTW and the wastewater
collection network as separate entities, as in the past, but to think of it as part of
one dynamic system. Controlling the flow of wastewater through the collection
network and funnelling it towards the WwTW not only has energy benefits by
smoothing at the flow profile but has the potential benefit of protecting both the
customer and the environment.
By measuring the state of the system and utilising operational models, there are
large benefits to be gained. The minimum benefit comes from simple operational
visualisation that allows for potential pollution detection, and the maximum benefits
are realised by using advanced control of the entire wastewater system. By utilising
automated control of the system and operational models within the wider wastewater
system, efficiencies in energy consumption and customer and environmental
protection can be achieved. These include balancing flows through the network,
monitoring areas that are at risk of flooding, preventing sewer overflows where
possible and allowing the maximum flow through the treatment system. Some
aspects of this smarter approach are currently implemented, but there is not yet
one system consistently using all these tools at this time.
References
1. UKWIR (2012) A review of the effectiveness of Mogden Formula charging when meeting
modern sewage treatment works consents. UKWIR, London
2. Kellagher R, Osbourne M (2013) Factors limiting the use of ASC on sewerage systems in the
UK project report. UKWIR, London
3. Kellagher R, Osbourne M (2013) The use of active system control when designing sewerage
systems: a guide. UKWIR, London
4. Mounce SR, Shepherd W, Sailor G, Saul A, Boxall JB (2014) Application of artificial neural
networks to assess CSO performance. In: 13th international conference on urban drainage,
Sarawak, Malaysia, 7–12 Sept 2014
Monitoring and Controlling a Smarter Wastewater Treatment System: A UK. . .
137