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Flow Monitoring Studies Using
Remote Real-Time Data Collection
By Derek Wurst, P.E.
During the wet weather season, municipalities may have sanitary sewer collection systems that are overwhelmed with high volumes of inflow and infiltration (I/I). Flow monitoring can assist a municipality in locating I/I sources and determining the capacities of a collection system. Previously, site visits were conducted to download data from each flow meter location. Now, flow monitoring services are enhanced by equipping meters with remote real-time data collection capabilities.
Remote Real-Time Data Collection
Remote real-time data collection allows quick responsiveness to client requests for flow information. Installation of monitoring equipment can be done with very short notification. The new remote monitoring equipment allows quick, up to date delivery of data collected from flow meters installed with real-time capabilities.
The real-time data collection is accomplished using wireless remote communication equipment installed with the flow meter. Wireless remote communication with the flow meter equipment has multiple benefits.
- Unlimited accessibility to remote communication
- Quick identification of problems
- Improved responsiveness and efficiency
- Better resource utilization minimizes site visits and reduces time and cost
- Increased safety through decreased traffic control and impacts
- Enhanced accuracy (early identification of fouled sensors)
- Improved data management and minimized data loss
Most sewer alignments are in the street right-of-way. Instead of physically connecting a computer to the meter, the manhole lid-mounted antenna allows communication with the monitor that is installed in a manhole relieving traffic control requirements during data retrieval (See Photo 1).
Photo 1. White antenna allows for wireless
communication with the flow meter.
The new technology features a rugged design that can handle H-20 vehicle loading which allows the antenna to be mounted directly to the manhole lid. Real-time data is collected via a wireless cellular modem attached to the flow meter equipment.
In addition, the remote communication equipment has alarm functions. The alarm functions allow the user to receive an alarm when a pre-set condition has been violated. An alarm can be sent to a cell phone as a text message, or to an email account. The alarms can be programmed for various conditions and at multiple set points. For example, the alarm can be set to notify the user when a high level condition has been exceeded or if there is a low battery level.
The alarm functions can provide invaluable information for monitoring applications such as CSO's (Combined Sewer Overflows) and SSO's (Sanitary Sewer Overflows), and can assist clients in complying with wastewater regulations including the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and Capacity, Management, Operation, Maintenance (CMOM). Furthermore, the alarm functions assist in tracking sanitary sewer flow events and ensuring that the flow meters are operational and that maintenance is performed regularly.
V&A’s Role in Flow Monitoring Services
V&A has the capabilities of conducting monitoring for both water distribution systems and wastewater collection systems. Engineers at V&A have experience with sanitary sewer hydraulic design which ensures that monitoring equipment will be installed properly with a focus on achieving quality data collection. V&A strives to deliver the most reliable and accurate flow monitoring data to its clients. Remote communication equipment assists V&A in providing accurate, reliable data, ensuring that each flow meter is operational and delivering up to date flow monitoring data to clients.
V&A Consulting Engineers
1999 Harrison Street, Suite 975, Oakland, CA 94612
Tel. (510) 903-6600, Fax (510) 903-6601
www.vaengr.com
Copyright 2005