The Importance of Connected Technology in Wastewater Networks
Article Feature in Pumps & Systems Magazine – October 2024
As urban landscapes evolve and infrastructure ages, wastewater management faces growing complexities. Rising energy costs and sustainability demands necessitate cost-effective and reliable pumping solutions. Integrating advanced software and hardware into traditional submersible pumps enhances their functionality and intelligence. Modern systems use real-time condition monitoring to make informed decisions and provide actionable feedback, ensuring efficiency and adaptability.
Intelligent control systems go beyond basic observation, offering actionable data that improves operational efficiency, reliability and environmental impact while reducing costs. These systems seamlessly integrate with municipal networks, providing comprehensive monitoring, protection and control. By leveraging real-time data, municipalities can optimize performance, address issues proactively and maintain sustainable operations. This innovative approach enhances traditional pump functionality and supports smarter, more resilient wastewater management.
What Is Connected Technology & Why Is It Important?
Connected technology integrates sensors and assets with the cloud, offering actionable insights rather than just generic alarms. This real-time data enhances decision-making, improves efficiency and reduces operational costs. In wastewater management, where the availability of skilled labor is increasingly limited, remote monitoring and predictive maintenance become essential. Connected technology not only supports regulatory compliance, such as NFPA 70B, but also safeguards critical equipment.
Traditional asset monitoring often relies on expensive on-site staff and equipment. In contrast, true remote monitoring through smartphones and tablets—via the cloud rather than conventional supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA)—offers a more cost-effective and efficient solution. This approach provides centralized, predefined data structures (cookie cutter) and real-time data, protecting high-value assets, ensuring regulatory adherence and addressing the growing shortage of skilled workers.
Connected technology can be deployed across various settings, including remote and manned stations, lift stations and processing plants. It can be easily integrated into variable frequency drives (VFDs) or other starter types. Upgrading a basic lift station to a smart lift station enables access to detailed analytics, and converting a basic control panel into a cloud-connected panel significantly enhances its functionality and data accessibility. This transformation not only modernizes existing infrastructure
but also leverages the full potential of data-driven insights to optimize wastewater management.
Key Factors When Specifying Connected Monitoring Devices
Flexible and scalable: Choose monitoring devices that adapt to evolving technology and network types, from LAN to cloud-based systems. Opt for features like dynamic torque monitoring and real-time pump protection to ensure flexibility and optimize asset performance. To keep costs down and avoid replacing entire assets, consider control systems that can be seamlessly retrofitted into existing networks of pumps, blowers and mixers.
Local monitoring and data collection: Intelligent control systems provide real-time monitoring and issue detection, such as identifying obstructions and activating cleaning processes. They also monitor power to prevent motor damage and assist with odor control and wet well cleaning. Advanced systems can log data for up to 20 years and offer cloud connectivity for comprehensive insights and reduced on-site inspections.
Smart data features: Intelligent pump controls provide advanced data features including real-time analytics, predictive maintenance alerts and customizable reporting. Smart data capabilities allow for proactive management, efficient resource allocation and improved system performance by offering actionable insights and trend analysis.
Platform agnostic: Ensure the monitoring devices are compatible with various platforms and systems. A platform-agnostic approach allows for seamless integration with existing infrastructure and future upgrades, avoiding vendor lock-in and ensuring long-term flexibility.
Network connectivity options: Evaluate the range of connectivity options available, such as traditional RS485 through to
Wi-Fi, Ethernet and cellular networks. Multiple connectivity options enhance the system’s adaptability and ensure reliable data transmission regardless of network conditions.
What Type of Data Comes Out of This Technology?
Predefined data structure: Datasets are produced in a standardized format, streamlining data interpretation and eliminating the need for custom configuration. This includes raw data, alarms and condition signals, providing a consistent framework for analysis.
Smart data nodes: Data processing occurs locally, allowing the system to transmit only actionable insights rather than generic alerts. For example, instead of simply signaling an issue, smart data nodes provide specific information, enabling more targeted responses and quicker resolutions. This also reduces the amount of data transmitted.
Trended data: Raw data is integrated with smart insights and is preconfigured for cloud upload. This supports trend analysis by tracking performance, helping to identify patterns and predict issues, which is essential for proactive maintenance and operational optimization.
Comprehensive monitoring: Thorough monitoring capabilities ensure proper operation and detect issues. This type of monitoring also oversees the health of critical components like mixers, pumps and blowers, providing a holistic view of system performance.
The Role of Cloud Connectivity
Cloud connectivity plays a crucial role by providing real-time data access from any location. This facilitates immediate responses to issues and improves overall efficiency. The technology simplifies data logging, analysis and sharing, supporting data-driven decision making and coordination. Versatility in connectivity options like Modbus RTU and Modbus TCP or cellular ensures smooth communication between traditional devices and the cloud.
Real-Time Connectivity Improves Reliability & Reduces Costs
Smart data and flexible communication options help future-proof pumping networks by enabling advanced automated control and remote management. Platform-agnostic connectivity ensures reliable condition monitoring with both
raw and processed actionable data. The benefits include:
- Reduced frequency of pump lifting and cleaning
- Lower energy usage due to cleaner running pumps
- Extended asset life span due to decreased run times and strain
- Fewer emergency callouts to sites
- More proactive maintenance strategies
- Safer working environments for staff
- Lower risk of spills and environmental impact
By leveraging these advantages, connected, cloud-based solutions enhance the reliability and efficiency of wastewater management systems, ultimately leading to cost savings and improved operational performance.
Actionable insights are essential for improving efficiency and service levels in asset management. Effective sensing and monitoring technologies offer significant benefits, including enhanced performance and operational reliability.
