Smart Septicity Monitoring for Sewer Networks

Guest author: Chris McTear
Director of Technical Services at ATi UK

Wastewater process control is increasingly complex as regulations become more stringent. The monitoring of wastewater quality plays a crucial part in identifying existing or emerging problems within sewer networks and new technological advances are transforming the future of wastewater management, offering the ultimate smart sewer septicity solution for sewer networks. Managing and controlling septicity monitoring for sewer networks has long been one of the greatest challenges for wastewater utilities, with high levels proving to be costly due to toxicity, corrosion and odour nuisance. Septic sewage delivered into an activated sludge plant creates considerable process complications.

Wastewater quality monitoring data is incredibly useful in helping to monitor septicity levels, although historically this has not been easy to gather. Until now, water specialists traditionally used a range of techniques, including weekly samples, analysing sediments, controlling flow and developing aerobic environments. Controlling septicity also relied on maintaining the supply of oxygen to oxidise previously formed sulphide; minimising the emission of hydrogen sulphide gas into the atmosphere, deodorising vented air, and the use of protective coatings on pipes.

However, in today’s modern world, new technology has now been developed. By bringing together this technology, ATi offers a unique, unified solution for septicity monitoring and prevention in sewer networks, utilising both liquid and gas phase sensors. ATi’s SeptiNet is an innovative breakthrough in smart, continuous and accurate wastewater septicity monitoring for sewer networks. Forming part of a pioneering range of smart sewer network solutions, including the integrated ATi and s::can revolutionary SewerNet water quality monitoring solution, SeptiNet monitors both hydrogen sulphide (H2S) gas and Oxidation-Reduction Potential (ORP), offering the ultimate smart septicity monitoring solution.

Due to ATi’s unique manufacturing base of both water and gas analytical sensors, SeptiNet allows wastewater utilities to monitor both liquid and gas in one combined solution anywhere within the sewer network. Data generated from SeptiNet is linked directly to the customer’s preferred RTU and transferred to an intermediate cloud for analytics, integrated into the customers own Scada reporting protocol.

Septicity in Sewer Networks

Wastewater becomes septic when organic matter decomposes and forms a foul smell, due to the absence of free oxygen. This common problem occurs within sewers when low flows and long retention times combine, resulting in bacteria multiplying in the anaerobic conditions that creates septicity.

Consequent formation of H2S gas can cause a nuisance with its characteristic foul smell, leading to customer complaints. This lethal gas also causes a hazard during entry into chambers and its reaction with moisture results in the formation of sulphuric acid, which has a corrosive and costly effect on infrastructures.

SeptiNet: Smart Septicity Prevention for Sewer Networks

To predict, prevent and control septicity of an entire sewer network is complex, however ATi’s SeptiNet removes any guess work, enabling the complete management of septicity. By combining both liquid and gas smart sensor technology, and as part of a Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) monitoring solution, SeptiNet improves the control of assets and processes, enabling access to data for both online and offline analysis and modelling.

Designed specifically for applications in both wastewater treatment and sewer networks, SeptiNet generates continuous and accurate data for septicity prevention, allowing the management of odour and corrosion, whilst reducing the formation of hazardous atmospheres and negative environmental impacts.

SeptiNet helps to protect the wastewater treatment process, the extra sewer storage, reduces overflow and pollution to rivers and is suitable for installing anywhere within a sewer network, including:

• Inlets to wastewater treatment works.
• Inlets to CSOs
• Outlets / overflows of CSOs
• Pumping station
• Manholes within the network

SeptiNet uses smart sensor technology, combined with data intelligence, for large scale mass deployment across sewer networks. This innovative solution has been developed using telemetry to drive sustainable use of the world’s natural resources, offering customers an end-to-end approach to manage wastewater assets in hazardous environments, whilst also reducing pollution for a better, greener world.

About the author

Christian NcTear is Director of Technical Services at ATi UK and is responsible for leading the ATi UK Innovation Hub which drives forward R&D for ground-breaking industry solutions, including smart water quality monitoring systems such as MetriNet and SiteBox, Dual and Triple Validation Monitoring systems, along with the smart GasSens and PharmaSafe ranges of gas detectors and controllers.

About ATi UK

ATi UK is a leading provider and innovator of engineered, analytical sensor monitoring solutions and data analytics for water and gas applications. Our pioneering and industry leading range of smart network monitors, water quality monitors and gas detectors are trusted to deliver outstanding results and provide strategic solutions for the most demanding of applications.

About Coftec

Coftec is a leading provider of water and wastewater treatment solutions for the Irish market. We leverage extensive in-house design, build, and operate expertise and access to a portfolio of state-of-the-art water quality monitoring and purification technologies to deliver novel turn-key solutions, which solve our customer’s water and wastewater issues. Coftec is part of Coffey, a civil, environmental, and building contracting group of companies offering over 47-years of deep industry experience across every major construction section in Ireland and the UK.

Contact Details:

Please contact Coftec on +353 91 844 356 or info@coftec.ie for details on SeptiNet, to discuss issues with Septicity or any water or wastewater issue of concern to your business.