Call Us On: +44(0)1279 600 440
Call Us On: +44(0)1279 600 440
Pumping station wet wells have capacity to reduce the frequency of CSO spills and sewer flooding, equally they can also increase the level of incidents if left to operate in isolation.
By controlling an upstream pumping station smartly, the storage capacity of a wet-well can be utilised to help clip peak flows, slow the flow, in a sewer during a storm to potentially prevent or reduce the frequency of sewer flooding, CSO overflow spills and the impact of the first foul flush on water quality.
Techniques can include using weather radar to pre-empty wet wells on the approach of a storm and using level sensors located at the “hot spots” within the network to generate an inhibit signal for the pumping station. For the latter technique to be successful it is essential to have a reliable, real-time means of communicating the level back to the pumping station from the hotspot or hotspots, which could be several km away down-stream.
Radio telemetry is the ideal media for delivering real-time data and can be totally autonomous in operation. Preferably the system should operate using Ofcom licenced radio spectrum where there is full protection under the powers of the Wireless and Telegraphy Act 2010 against interference. Licenced spectrum also has other significant advantages, these include exclusivity, the removal of duty cycle limits, the ability to use higher power levels and to operate on frequencies more appropriate for propagating across both rural and urban terrain with minimal attenuation, such as VHF.
The example in the picture above is a small kiosk with a footprint of < 0.5m square containing a RDNET1000 Solar Radio Telemetry transmitter operating on an Ofcom licenced VHF channel. It is linked via a small cable duct to a Vegapulse radar sensor and a float switch located in the sewer chamber under the roadway. The Vegapulse generates a level signal and the float is used to deliver a chamber flooded alarm should the Vegapulse become totally submerged.
This example is totally off-grid powered using a small external solar panel. Simply the larger the solar panel the more frequent the update can be. With mains power there is no limit. In all cases an ATEX/UKEx safety barrier is included to isolate the sensor/s from the kiosk supply.
With radio telemetry it is customary to include a heartbeat signal, this enables system faults to be detected almost instantly due to the interruption of the heartbeat.
Radio Telemetry Receiver for Pumping Station Inhibit to slow the flow and resuce sewer flooding and CSO spills
Additional significant benefits of licenced radio telemetry are longevity and ease of testing, without the need for confined space entry or stopping traffic. Additionally, the same radio telemetry signal can be used to inhibit several pumping stations within the catchment.
With almost 2-decades of experience in deploying such licenced radio telemetry systems, the staff at Radio Data Networks are always happy to offer their advice and solutions, in this important step to a cleaner, safer, pollution free world.