Application of Ultrasonic Level Meters in Urban Sewage Wells

Keywords: ultrasonic level meter, urban sewage management, liquid level monitoring, smart city, sewage overflow prevention, non-contact measurement, IoT in wastewater

Background: Challenges in Aging Urban Sewage Systems

In a second-tier city’s old urban area, the underground sewage network—complex and severely aged—faced escalating challenges due to increasing wastewater volumes. During rainy seasons, sewage well levels rose rapidly, causing frequent overflows that polluted the environment, disrupted daily life, and posed safety risks to pedestrians and vehicles. The city’s management department urgently needed a reliable solution for real-time liquid level monitoring to prevent overflow incidents proactively.

Why Ultrasonic Level Meters? A Comparative Analysis

After evaluating multiple technologies, ultrasonic level meters were chosen for their unique advantages. Below is a comparison with other common level meters:

Key Advantages:

• Non-contact design eliminates corrosion and clogging issues, reducing maintenance by 75%.
• Wide measurement range (0.2–30 meters) suits diverse well depths.
• Anti-interference capability ensures stable data in turbulent water and air disturbances.
• Easy integration with existing automation systems for remote monitoring.

Implementation: From Installation to System Integration

1. Monitoring Point Selection

50 representative sewage wells were selected, focusing on:

• Flood-prone areas
• Low-lying zones
• Critical locations near residential/commercial centers

2. Installation Process

• Top Mounting:
  • Drilled holes in manhole covers for vertical alignment of the sensor with the liquid surface.
  • Fixed the meter with waterproof brackets to prevent displacement.
  • Connected waterproof power cables and signal lines to nearby communication bases (GPRS/LoRa modules).

3. Supporting Infrastructure

• Data Acquisition System:
  • Local data loggers collected real-time liquid level data and transmitted it to the city’s monitoring center every 5 minutes.
• Alarm System:
  • Automated alerts (SMS/email) triggered when levels exceeded pre-set thresholds, with a 95% accuracy rate in warnings.
• Monitoring Software:
  • Real-time dashboards and historical trend analysis via desktop/mobile devices.

Results: Transforming Sewage Management

1. Real-Time Monitoring & Early Warning

• 24/7 continuous monitoring with 5-minute data updates.
• 30 successful pre-emptive warnings of overflow risks in one year, including a case where a 1-hour early alert during heavy rain allowed timely deployment of drainage teams, preventing a major overflow.

2. Optimized Drainage Operations

• 25% improvement in drainage efficiency through data-driven pump adjustments (e.g., increasing pump capacity in upstream areas during rains).
• Reduced annual overflow incidents in a problematic district from 10+ to <2.

3. Cost Savings

• 75% reduction in annual maintenance costs: From ¥2,000 to ¥500 per well, saving ¥75,000 annually for 50 wells.
• Reduced unnecessary cleaning and repairs through data-driven maintenance scheduling.

Lessons Learned and Future Outlook

Key Takeaways:

1. Site-Specific Design: Thorough pre-installation surveys ensure optimal sensor placement and data accuracy.
2. Reliable Equipment: Prioritize high-quality ultrasonic meters with strong anti-interference features.
3. Data-Driven Decision Making: Integrate liquid level data with urban drainage models for proactive management.
4. Ongoing Maintenance: Regular calibrations and system updates ensure long-term reliability.

Future Potential:
As part of smart city initiatives, ultrasonic level meters can integrate with IoT platforms for predictive analytics, further reducing overflow risks and enhancing urban sustainability.

Conclusion:

This case study demonstrates how ultrasonic level meters offer a robust, cost-effective solution for urban sewage liquid level monitoring, combining technical innovation with practical city management needs. By enabling real-time insights and proactive responses, this technology paves the way for smarter, safer, and more sustainable urban infrastructure.

For inquiries about ultrasonic level meter solutions or smart sewage management, contact kacise today.