Establishing a network of on-line monitors at the purification works and in the distribution network of rand water

Abstract

More than 120 on-line instruments were installed in specially designed instrumentation kiosks throughout the Rand Water purification works during the past three years. This forms part of an ongoing expansion programme in which instrumentation is increasingly used for: (i) process monitoring, (ii) process automation and (iii) monitoring of final water quality. This programme is planned to cover the whole distribution network within the next ten years. Output signals from all instrumentation are relayed via PLCs to run time servers and through the Ethernet to Hewlett Packard Unix systems in the control rooms where continuous monitoring and corrective action will be taken. The real time data will also be directly available via viewer nodes to Scientific and Engineering personnel in the near future for quality monitoring, trend analyses and feedback to consumers.

Application of Automated Measurement Stations for Continuous Water Quality Monitoring of the Dender River in Flanders, Belgium

“…In some studies the use of a minimal set-up with low maintenance is promoted, e.g. Edwards (1998) and Johnson (1998), while in others rather complex and automated systems seem to give good results (Beck et al, 1998;Du Preez et al, 1998). Also the data-handling process can differ a lot and is still in full development.…”

“…Continuous measurements can also allow for detecting sudden changes in rivers, for example due to accidental discharges. Therefore, in the future they will become more and more necessary as tools for water quality control and for the building and the calibration of detailed and complex models useful for decision making in water protection and restoration management (Du Preez et al, 1998;Summers and Tonnessen, 1998).…”

Assessing diurnal and seasonal nitrate behavior in large rivers using Nitratax in-situ sensors

“…Ammonia sensors are used to adjust the oxygen feed in the aeration tank effluent which reduces energy costs and improves the efficiency of denitrification in the upstream processes (Schlegel and Baumann 1996). Using in-situ water quality sensors in water and wastewater treatment plants help in maintaining and improving existing water quality management systems (Du Preez et. al.…”