Monitoring of a Regional Water Utility’s Vacuum Pump System

An innovative solution was sought to improve the efficiency of a vacuum pump system for a regional sewage network built in 2002. The installation of WaterScope’s wireless IoT monitoring technology enabled real-time monitoring of the vacuum system with immediate fault detection and reports to assist operation.

Objective

The aim of the project was to develop an online monitoring system that provides real-time data on the operation of the vacuum pump system. This reduces energy consumption during operation, shortens fault repair times, and enables the prediction of critical system failures and mine overflows. The solution had to work with minimal intervention in the existing system and at low investment costs.

The challenge

The system required significant amounts of electricity to operate.

Vacuum valve faults were often detected late, allowing the vacuum to escape for long periods of time.

Identifying the faulty valve was time-consuming and required on-site inspection.

Hidden vacuum leaks in the network were difficult to locate.

There was no database to support operation

Our solution

Installation of the WaterScope IoT data collection system at key points in the vacuum system:

Pressure measurement of the machine room vacuum tank

Valve vacuum and control pressure measurement

Valve opening detection and monitoring

The monitoring devices were placed at strategic points agreed with the operator, including the furthest branch of the network, enabling comprehensive monitoring of the system's operation with only a small investment.

Measurements every 2 minutes, data transmission every hour

Automatic daily/weekly/monthly reports in exportable format (XLSX, CSV)

Users can monitor the measured data via a secure, encrypted data connection on a dedicated web dashboard or on a mobile phone app.

The results

Benefits for dispatchers and technicians:

• Immediate alarm in case of vacuum valve malfunction, with mobile location tracking
• Shorter downtime, faster intervention
• Optimized operation of vacuum pumps with the help of data
• Quick identification of vacuum leaks

Engineering and operational benefits:

• Prediction of tank filling (overflow hazards)
• Continuous monitoring of the system vacuum level
• Recommendation for reduced vacuum level during night operation
• Monitoring of network behavior in areas with periodic use (e.g., schools)

System benefits