vi Water/Wastewater Remote Monitoring for Pump Station Packages


The ability to continuously monitor the performance and operation of sewage and wastewater pump station packages using wireless communications has taken a major step forward following the introduction of Nortech Management’sWebSCADA Pump Station Remote Monitoring System & Service.


Designed to monitor the running of single and multiple pumps, together with the associated sensors and probes that ensure the correct operation of a pump station, the system consists of the easy and quick to install Nexus Smart Box (RTU) which employs wireless GPRS communications to transfer data from the pump station to Nortech’s iHost WebSCADA. When iHost receives urgent alarms from a pump station, it forwards these on as SMS text messages and emails to all nominated users, enabling prompt preventative and remedial action to be taken.


“The Nortech WebSCADA system is potentially the new standard for the forthcoming adoption of small pumping stations,” comments David Johnson, Director of Sales & Marketing. “Operating a real-time pump station performance specification would supersede the traditional equipment specifications as a means to ensure performance and reliability. The costs savings nationally could be many thousands of pounds.”


Nortech’s WebSCADA Pump Station Monitoring System & Service is far more than a simple remote alarm monitoring system; it is a highly featured management tool that provides a constant stream of data about all the functions of the pump station. Events including pump stopped/running, pump healthy/tripped, and high level alarm are examples of digital outputs that provide information about key equipment and alarm conditions. Flow rate, well depth, temperature and vibration are analogue outputs that provide information for detecting changes in operational conditions.


Armed with this information, operators and contractors responsible for the management of residential, local authority, commercial and industrial pump stations can optimise maintenance services to achieve greater plant efficiency and manage operating costs. Equally as important, the availability of real-time accurate and recorded information enables them to take effective action to prevent system failures and potential environmental contamination. The system even has its own 24/7health check so that users know that they are always receiving notifications and accurate records for equipment trend analysis.


The WebSCADA Pump Station Monitoring System & Service is built around the capabilities of Nortech’s Smart Box Remote Telemetry Unit (RTU) and long-established iHost WebSCADA. Supplied by the pump distributor/manufacturer or pump station manufacturers, connecting the Nexus Smart Box to the pump station control panel can be undertaken when the pump station is being installed or retrofitted to existing stations.


Reader Reply Card No. 149


First UKAS Accreditation for Open Channel Flow Calibration


Hymetrics Ltd has become the first organisation in the UK to be granted UKAS accreditation for the open channel flow calibration of weirs and flumes. Under the standard ISO/IEC 17025: 2005 the hydraulics facility at Hymetrics Ltd is now


accredited for flow calibration services undertaken in its laboratory in Oxfordshire. This standard assesses technical


competence and provides credibility for organisations that produce testing and calibration results.


In order to achieve accreditation in this new area, proving trials were conducted with ISO Standard weirs and flumes on a specially constructed open-channel test-rig. This allowed Hymetrics Ltd to simulate the conditions that are found in industrial environments and explore channel configurations (length, gradient, turbulence levels) that allow reliable and robust measurement.


Gaining this accreditation is a significant step forward for the company which has spent the past few years focussed on research and development of its hydraulic structures used for monitoring of flow in open channels. Phil Clow is the Accreditation Manager from the Electrical, Physical and Thermal section at UKAS who oversaw the assessment. He said: “Achieving UKAS accreditation adds certainty to the methods and test results. It helps to demonstrate the consistency of each aspect of the process, from initial measurements through to the resulting data. Being able to prove these qualities is vital for maintaining customer confidence in the evaluation services.”


Accreditation by UKAS is recognised internationally, which has had a beneficial affect on the company’s export potential. Ashley Molloy, Operations Director at Hymetrics Ltd concluded. “UKAS accreditation has opened the door to a larger market within the water and process industries. Accreditation is recognised at the international level bringing a greater sense of assurance to our clients. Already we are in discussion with a company in France and are looking to collaborate in a joint venture together in the near future.”


Reader Reply Card No. 152


New UK National Water Quality Instrumentation Service


The Environment Agency (EA) of England and Wales has created a new National Water Quality Instrumentation Service (NWQIS) to improve the quality and efficiency of water quality monitoring in England and Wales. The new service is part of the National Laboratory Service and will fulfil the field monitoring requirements of the EA. However, it will also be available to other Public and Private sector organisations.


Chris Hunter has been appointed to manage the NWQIS. He says: "The new service will centralise the Agency's water quality instrumentation activities to deliver several important benefits. For example, there will be greater commonality amongst both the instruments that we use and the procedures that we use for set up, calibration, operation and service. This will lower costs and improve data accuracy and repeatability."


Under the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) the EA is responsible for monitoring the quality of groundwater and surface waters such as rivers, streams, lakes, estuaries and coastal waters. A wide range of instrumentation is employed for these purposes, including handheld water quality meters such as the YSI 556, logging multiparameter water quality 'sondes' such as the YSI 6600 and complete water quality monitoring stations with communications capability to provide high-intensity, almost real-time data.


Prior to the establishment of the NWQIS, the Agency's water quality instrumentation was purchased and operated by local offices, but now, under the coordination of Frances Houston, all water quality monitoring equipment is purchased and managed centrally. As Frances explains, "This reduces the variety of instruments that we use, which helps in a number of ways. Firstly, it simplifies the stocking of spares and accessories. Secondly, it provides greater availability of spare or replacement monitors, so that we can quickly replace units that are damaged or lost. Thirdly, it helps us to build a closer partnership with suppliers, which means that we are able to influence future product development, and finally, central control enables us to ensure that all staff utilise the most accurate and reliable instruments."


Before the NWQIS could be established it was first necessary to undertake a review of all of the EA's monitoring instrumentation, so most of it was sent to the EA's Reading offices for assessment before either reconditioning or disposal.


In recent years the YSI 556 multiparameter water quality monitor from YSI Hydrodata (EA framework partner) has been the workhorse of the EA's water monitoring teams; Matt Loewenthal reports a typical operational lifetime of over ten years for the 556. However, the Agency is now moving to the newer MCERTS approved YSI Pro Plus multiparameter water quality monitors and a full capital asset replacement programme is under way. Matt says, "This will ensure that our regional staff have access to the latest technology which is provided with our own operating procedures so that we can ensure, for example, that pH is monitored in Penzance in exactly the same way as it is in Carlisle."


The creation of the NWQIS will also provide greater access to technology such as that which enables real-time web-enabled display of live water quality data and Matt's team has already installed monitoring systems of this nature at sites across the UK.


Reader Reply Card No. 150


New Chapter Begins for Level and Pressure Measurement Specialists


Mel Henry, the Managing Director at VEGA Controls, in the UK, is stepping-down from his role after 29 years. In this time he has led the company through a period of sustained growth and developed a UK level and pressure measurement business renowned for innovation, founded on quality and service. “Now’s the time to retire and hand over to the next generation.”


After a career in process instrumentation that has spanned nearly 40 years - Mel added, “It’s time for me to focus on the golf and fishing!”. Ray Tregale is taking over from Mel, from his position of Southern Regional Sales Manager of 13 years. Ray has over 33 years experience in the instrumentation business, in roles from apprentice to technical sales and into management. Ray said, “This is a challenge and an honour for me to be taking over from Mel, he has established one of the most successful and respected companies in the level and pressure measurement sector.”


He concluded; “My priority will be to continue the customer service we are known for and sustain our strong growth across a broad range of industries.” Graeme Cross, previously the Northern regional manager, will now assume the role of overall UK Sales Manager. The VEGA ‘Family’ bid Mel Henry farewell, with their best wishes and good luck for his ‘busy’ retirement!


Reader Reply Card No. 151


IET November / December 2011


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