To overcome the problem of ineffectiveness of sewerage overflows throughout Belgium, 300 monitoring stations are being installed using sensors developed by Partech for measuring water flow and quality
At the beginning of this decade it was reported that increases in the number of Belgian watercourses holding 'acceptable' or 'not polluted' qualification had not been maintained in spite of ongoing treatment efforts.
In order to gain a clearer picture of this problem the Flemish Environment Society (VMM), the equivalent of UK Environment Agency, started a new monitoring project in 2003 using field measuring installations on overflows throughout its operating territory.
The technique developed by Swedmeter and Partech Instruments and supplied by CRA uses more than 300 solar powered monitoring stations which employ loggers that can store data locally and transmit the data by means of wireless communication to a central data base.
The Swedmeter logger and data communication package is located with the solar power system above ground level whilst Partech Instruments's WaterWatch sondes are underground.
In this case the sondes monitor conductivity and suspended solids.
Alternative sondes can add pH, redox, dissolved oxygen and level.
"The WaterWatch sonde is a compact fixed site unit that can contain up to five separate sensors," says Angus Fosten, Partech sales and marketing director.
Most importantly for remote locations, the instrument has been optimised to require a very low level of power.
Besides giving an indication of the duration of the overflow, each monitoring station also provides an estimation of the actual flow and the degree of pollution of the drained water.
Analysis of the collected data will enable VMM to establish a clear picture of these problems and develop appropriate solutions to overcome the problems that they face.
For Partech Instruments, the size and scope of the application is a major confirmation of the capability and reliability of its WaterWatch technology, it says.
With some 300 sites now being kitted out, Partech has a sizeable installed base offering considerable potential for demonstrating the performance of its products.
The idea has already been picked up in Spain where a number of similar packages are currently being trialed.
