One of the most perplexing challenges for wastewater plant operators is the need to measure the various sources of influent. This is especially true for closed-pipe systems where the use of traditional flow devices requires intensive and expensive engineering to keep the pipe full at the point of measurement.  Continue Reading..

Many water and wastewater treatment plant operators have a desire to ‘see’ and manage key systems beyond the reach of their plant walls and in-house SCADA systems, such as wastewater lift pumps or water distribution pumps. In this Water Talk session, Dave Stout and Ryan Hancock of In Control Technical Solutions discuss an answer that’s as simple as connecting a power cord and two wires. It employs a self-contained cellular...  Continue Reading..

The advantage in the growth of digital technology and Internet of Things (IoT) accessibility for water/wastewater applications is the depth and breadth of information available at a utility’s fingertips. The challenge is utilizing all that data in a convenient, comprehensive way. Mahesh Lunani, CEO of Aquasight, shares insights on digital solutions to that challenge, even in the face of a changing workforce. He describes a better way to...  Continue Reading..

Instruments that deliver only one measurement point are achieving just a fraction of their potential, according to Ryan Williams. That is why smart technology is the essence of this Water Talk discussion with him and his Endress+Hauser associate Alan Vance. It explores how digitalization can elevate the role of instrumentation systems or independent flow, level, pressure, and temperature sensors to make utility managers and maintenance crews...  Continue Reading..

As the water and wastewater workforce ages, and fewer technically skilled people enter the industry, municipalities and other large operators with water needs are finding themselves in a bind.  Continue Reading..

While the Clean Water Act (CWA) is a federal regulation, the job of enforcing its standards has been kicked to the state level, where results can be mixed. Bluefield Research recently analyzed the trend and its impact, presenting its findings in a recent Water Online webinar. It was also a topic of discussion at WEFTEC 2019, where Bluefield's president, Reese Tisdale, sat down with Water Talk. In the interview, Tisdale addressed the...  Continue Reading..

Some of the more complex wastewater screens — the initial step to removing objects from the incoming stream — are designed around the idea of generating residual business, so they require regular maintenance. That’s what prompted Duperon to invent the FlexRake, which has no lower sprockets, bearings, or tracks to foul or jam.  Continue Reading..

When it comes to big projects, often part of a municipality's capital improvement plan (CIP), it's the planning part that is too often overlooked, or simply not well executed. This causes a number of problems during implementation — problems that can increase risk, waste time and money, and degrade project outcomes. In this Water Talk interview, James Strayer of Black & Veatch describes the typical problems capital programs...  Continue Reading..

Technology is on pace to reach a milestone of 26 billion devices connected through the Internet of Things (IoT) by the end of 2019. In the water industry, IoT capabilities are enabling utilities to leverage meter reading data collected via secure private cellular networks to satisfy multiple purposes — increasing its value exponentially. In this Water Talk interview, Kristie Anderson from Badger Meter discusses how advances in smart...  Continue Reading..