Water treatment plants are anything but set-it-and-forget operations. Operators must be on the lookout for changes in flow and water composition that could require adjustments to processes. Every shift in operations can impact costs, whether it is turning on a new pump, flushing a pipe or water tower, adding or reducing chemicals or increasing filter bed contact time.
That's where real-time remote water quality monitoring comes into play, offering an advantage for operators who want to control operational costs and increase efficiency amid changing conditions. The most immediate benefit is reducing, or even eliminating, grab samples. With remote water quality monitoring, critical data on a range of conditions is sent directly to SCADA, analytics or other software systems, which minimizes the need to send an employee into the field to pull samples and cuts down on the time required to perform lab tests.
These operational efficiencies are significant, but they are just the tip of the iceberg. When properly leveraged, water quality monitoring can reduce expenses, optimize resource allocation and support continuous regulatory compliance. The result is a smarter, more efficient approach to water treatment that’s as adaptive as it is cost-effective.
In the Zone
Monitoring chlorine levels in the distribution system is critical for protecting the health of the community, ensuring regulatory compliance and managing taste and odor. When sensors detect shifts in chlorine levels above or below preset limits, operators can quickly adjust processes at the plant to keep levels stable. Chlorine adjustments are also important for managing disinfection byproducts (DBPs), which form when chlorine mixes with natural organic matter—another parameter that water quality monitors can track.
Beyond disinfection, other chemicals such as coagulants may require adjustment based on levels of suspended solids, nitrate and phosphate, or turbidity in the influent. Similarly, operators may need to add acid or base to maintain pH levels in both the plant and distribution system.
Regardless of the chemical being dosed, water quality monitoring provides operators with a fast, accurate picture of the water's composition as it enters or exits the plant. This enables real-time adjustments without the risk of overcorrecting, which can lead to money wasted on costly chemicals. As a result, operators can effectively manage both water quality and costs at the same time.
Power to Save
Energy efficiency in water distribution systems is essential because it reduces operational costs, minimizes environmental impact, extends equipment lifespan and improves overall reliability. Flow and pressure impact energy use in water distribution systems because they determine how much work the pumps must perform. Higher flow rates and pressure levels require pumps to operate with greater power, which increases energy consumption.
Real-time remote water quality sensors can be used to realize energy efficiency gains by providing critical data on water conditions that can be used to manage flushing schedules. For example, stagnant water in water towers or pipes can promote biological growth as chlorine decomposes or is consumed. Real-time insights on water quality allow operators to schedule flushing at a time that is more cost effective (typically at night when energy demand is lower).
Sensors also prevent unnecessary flushing by indicating when conditions have returned to acceptable levels. This not only saves money on energy consumption but also minimizes water loss. Over time, data on chlorine residuals, turbidity and other parameters can be fed into control systems, helping operators pinpoint the best time to pump to minimize stagnation and agitation of settled solids.
Staying Ahead of the Curve
Pipe repairs and other maintenance projects demand significant water utility resources, both in terms of cost and manpower. Water quality plays a major role in the health of pipes and other infrastructure. For example, maintaining pH levels is important for reducing corrosion, which can weaken pipes and contribute to leaks and bursts. With consistent and balanced pH levels, utilities can extend the life of assets.
Real-time, remote water quality sensors can also indicate issues like saltwater intrusion in pipelines, signaling the need for replacement or other intervention. Although lead cannot be measured directly, sensors can detect changes in water conductivity or lower levels of anti-corrosion chemicals, both of which can be signs of lead leaching. With real-time data, operators address these issues before they become larger, more costly problems—ultimately reducing the number of hours spent in the field to fix them.
Connecting the Dots
Analytical software is one of the most valuable tools when it comes to boosting operational efficiency. Real-time water quality data provides an additional layer of insight that can correlate to specific conditions as they occur. For example, real-time data can indicate when water age has reached a critical point, signaling that intervention may be necessary. This allows analytic software to make better recommendations for when to adjust flows to prevent stagnation, especially during seasonal or low-demand periods.
Real-time monitoring also serves as a foundation for predictive analytics, enabling utilities to anticipate potential issues before they escalate. For instance, when operators spot trends like increasing turbidity or declining chlorine levels, they can proactively adjust disinfectant dosing or flush pipelines to maintain quality and avoid disruptions. With continuous data collection, operators can identify patterns indicating potential quality or operational concerns. By interpreting how parameters such as turbidity and chlorine interact, analytics can guide operators to take preemptive actions to reduce customer complaints about taste, odor or other water quality issues.
One Step at a Time
Although real-time remote water quality monitoring offers a wide range of benefits, its adoption has been slower than with other types of sensors, such as pressure and acoustic leak detection. Often, this is due to simple inertia—operators have established methods that work so there is little motivation to change. In some cases, however, it’s simply a lack of awareness of how this technology can help.
Whatever the reason, the best approach to overcome these barriers is to start small. By installing a few sensors in strategic areas of the network and integrating them with SCADA or analytics software, operators can begin to see firsthand how this data supports better decision-making and resource allocation. As they become more comfortable with the technology, additional sensors can be added as needed.
Using real-time, remote water quality monitoring can help water utilities achieve key goals, like improving processes, reducing costs and meeting regulations. These systems provide operators with immediate access to critical water quality data, enabling them to make timely adjustments that improve efficiency in chemical dosing, energy use and maintenance planning. As utilities gradually adopt this technology, the deeper operational insight it provides will transform their ability to manage changing water conditions proactively, positioning them to meet future challenges, ensure long-term sustainability and safeguard public health.
