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Meteor wins Hydrometry Framework contract with Coal Authority

June 20, 2022/in News /by meteor

As a manufacturer of remote environmental monitoring systems, Meteor Communications has been awarded a framework contract by the Coal Authority to supply a range of hydrometric services, dataloggers and sensors to enable the continuous monitoring of mine water.

Meteor Communications successfully bid for Lot 3 of the Hydrometry Framework, which is comprised of 7 lots and will run for four years with an estimated total budget of £400,000.

“Meteor are delighted to have been selected by the Coal Authority for this framework contract,” explains Meteor’s MD Matt Dibbs. “Our systems and services are utilised across the UK by the Environment Agency, Water Utilities and Consultants and it’s great to be able to bring our expertise to the Coal Authority.”

The Coal Authority seeks to enhance the future prospects for people and the environment in mining areas, and to contribute to the delivery of the UK Government’s industrial strategy and the environmental, social and economic priorities of the UK, Scottish and Welsh Governments. This includes managing the effects of past coal mining and dealing with mine water pollution and other mining legacy issues.

https://meteorcommunications.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/River-scaled.jpg 1707 2560 meteor https://meteorcommunications.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/msol-2.png meteor2022-06-20 17:14:562022-06-20 17:14:56Meteor wins Hydrometry Framework contract with Coal Authority
IFAT Munich 2022

Low-power remote cameras on show at IFAT

May 6, 2022/in News /by meteor

Using low power cameras to view remote assetsFollowing their hugely successful deployment all over the UK, the Meteor MRC Remote Camera Systems and the MeteorCloud web services will be on display at the MTRComs GmbH stand, number 401 in Hall B2 at the IFAT 2022 exhibition, which takes place at the Munich Messe from 30th May to 3rd June 2022.

 As a specialist manufacturer of remote cameras, MTRComs GmbH has established an office in Osnabrück, Germany, as part of the company’s expansion across mainland Europe. “Over 2,000 of our low-power cameras are currently operating in the UK,” explains company director Andrew Scott. “So, they have been thoroughly evaluated by customers such as water utilities and regulators, as well as flooding and drainage authorities.”

Typically, the MTRComs cameras are used to monitor important remote assets such as grilles, screens, channels, culverts and automated remote structures. Andrew says: “They are ideal for sites without mains power and communications infrastructure. This is because our low-power cameras are easy to deploy and are able to deliver both regular and on-demand images over cellular networks.”

The main advantage of remote cameras is that users are able to view sites remotely before deciding whether a visit is necessary, and also to determine what resources would be necessary for that visit. This means that less site visits are necessary, and wireless connectivity also means that operations such as camera configuration and firmware updates can be conducted remotely.

Andrew Scott and Matt Dibbs will be on the MTRComs stand to welcome IFAT visitors and provide live demonstrations of the company’s technologies.

https://meteorcommunications.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/IFAT2022.jpg 1300 2000 meteor https://meteorcommunications.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/msol-2.png meteor2022-05-06 09:42:572022-05-06 09:42:57Low-power remote cameras on show at IFAT
Water Quality in Rivers EAC Report

UK parliamentary report calls for better river protection

January 18, 2022/in News /by meteor

Meteor Communications has welcomed a report on river water quality, published by the UK Environmental Audit Committee (EAC). Following consultation with a wide variety of stakeholders, the Report revealed damning evidence of river pollution in England. However, Andrew Scott, Meteor’s Technical Director, who provided evidence to the committee, says: “Of course, it is good that this vitally important issue is being highlighted, and we are pleased to note that the Report specifies a wide range of measures that should be undertaken to improve water quality; all of which should be underpinned by effective monitoring.

“The Report also highlights the need for greater investment in infrastructure, which will be vital in the pursuit of the Report’s goals.”

The most recent data published by the Environment Agency, under obligations originally established by the EU Water Framework Directive, show that only 14% of English rivers met good ecological status and no river met good chemical status. The Environment Act 2021 empowers Ministers to set long-term statutory targets for the improvement of the natural environment, and requires a long-term target for the improvement of water to be set not later than 31 October 2022.

Several witnesses criticised the use of ‘spot sampling’ suggesting that this method dramatically reduces the likelihood of detecting pollution incidents. Witnesses also urged the introduction of continuous real-time monitoring of water quality. For example, Salmon and Trout Conservation observed that technological developments in monitoring meant that “continuous monitoring should now be both practical and affordable for the Environment Agency to use widely, especially at potentially high-risk locations such as sewage treatment works.” The Centre for Hydrology and Ecology concurred: “The use of multi-probe Sondes with telemetry to detect ammonium, turbidity and dissolved oxygen concentrations in effluents at hourly frequencies, alongside flow gauging, could provide an accurate estimate of pollution loadings coming from sewage treatment works, an early warning system to detect sewage treatment works failures and provide the key data for researchers to evaluate the impact of combined sewer overflows on downstream river water quality and ecology.”

The Report provided further evidence in support of continuous monitoring. For example, it said continuous monitoring could provide a high level of certainty as to the condition of a river and the causes of pollution, thus alleviating the need to apply complex statistical processes to data analysis. The technique could be cost-effective if used in a targeted way. It was suggested that if there is a particular problem to investigate, you can find out more from continuous monitoring in two weeks than you would probably find in many, many years of random sampling.

Salmon and Trout Conservation also recommended the use of continuous monitoring, especially with the ‘spikey’ nature of discharges from such industries as watercress and trout farming. It said that the technology has progressed so markedly that continuous monitoring should now be both practical and affordable for the Environment Agency to use widely, especially for potentially high-risk polluters such as sewage treatment works. In addition, the report said that the Environment Agency, in its submission, had said that it would like to explore the use of continuous monitors for the quality of effluent that could ‘trigger early warning if effluents were starting to deteriorate’ for regulatory purposes.

During his presentation to the EAC Andrew Scott explained that remote, continuous river water quality monitoring technology is already well-proven.

Swapping the water quality sonde is quick & easy“Over 300 of our Environmental Sensor Network (ESNET) outstations are currently monitoring UK rivers, but many more will be necessary in the future because, for example, there are over 6,000 sewage treatment works in England alone,” he explains. “The current ESNET users are the Environment Agency, seven water companies, environmental consultancies and other water sector bodies. ESNET produces scientifically robust, legally enforceable evidence that truly reflects the dynamic nature of the surface water environment. It differentiates and identifies sources of pollutants from man-made activity such as sewage treatment works, combined sewer overflows and agriculture; outputting high resolution data for the most important water quality parameters.”

Quick and easy to install, ESNET systems typically monitor parameters such as dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, conductivity, turbidity, ammonium, Blue Green Algae and chlorophyll. However, it is also possible to include other water quality parameters as well as remote cameras, water level and flow, or meteorological measurements. The addition of autosamplers enables the collection of samples for laboratory analysis, which enables the measurement of other pollutants such as pharmaceuticals and plastics. Autosamplers can collect at pre-set intervals and/or when initiated by specific alarm conditions. This is a particular advantage for water companies and regulators because it enables the immediate collection of samples in response to a pollution incident, which informs mitigation measures and helps to identify the source of contamination.

The ESNET systems were designed specifically for the collection of real-time data from remote locations because they operate on very low power and wirelessly connect with the MeteorCloud web portal providing secure access for viewing and downloading data.

Summarising, Andrew says: “The EAC Report provides a detailed plan for improving water quality in our rivers, but as the Report says, this will require a significant investment in infrastructure. A relatively small part of that investment, we believe, should be in a much higher number of remote continuous water quality monitoring systems. This will significantly improve our understanding of pollution, enable rapid response to pollution incidents, and allow source attribution when such events occur. It is therefore very pleasing to note that the Report recommends that the Environment Agency should rapidly introduce cost-efficient and effective sensors at an increased number of locations.”

The full EAC Report: Water quality in rivers, can be downloaded at https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5802/cmselect/cmenvaud/74/report.html

https://meteorcommunications.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/RiverThamesParliamentWaterQuality.jpg 1909 2403 meteor https://meteorcommunications.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/msol-2.png meteor2022-01-18 15:40:412022-01-18 15:40:41UK parliamentary report calls for better river protection
ESNET systems for continuous water quality monitoring

UK’s Environmental Audit Committee requests river water quality submission from Meteor

November 30, 2021/in News /by meteor

The UK’s Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has requested written evidence from Meteor Communications as part of the committee’s ongoing inquiry into water quality in rivers. The submission was timely because it was made while sewage spills were the subject of intense media attention, and after the Environment Act 2021 placed a new responsibility on sewerage undertakers to progressively reduce the impact of discharges from storm overflows.

“We have been following the EAC enquiry closely,” explains Meteor Technical Director Andrew Scott, “and with over 300 of our ESNET outstations currently monitoring UK rivers, we were concerned that some of the participants may not be fully aware of this technological capability.

“Conveniently, data from the Environment Agency’s pollution investigations were recently made public, so we were able to show the EAC examples of the ways in which our technology is able to continuously track the key signatures for different types of pollution, and how these can be correlated with events such as heavy rainfall; delivering legally defensible information.”

Following an online meeting with representatives of the EAC, Meteor staff were asked to provide a written submission, describing the current monitoring networks and explaining how these could be upscaled to monitor downstream and upstream of sewage treatment works in England.

ESNET water quality monitoring systems - fixed or portableThere are two main types of ESNET (Environmental Sensor NETwork) water quality monitoring system; a portable monitoring station, and a kiosk-housed pumped system for semi-permanent or fixed installations. The systems were developed to allow rapid deployment with no requirement for pre-existing power or communication infrastructure. As a result, high resolution, real-time, multiparameter water quality data can be obtained within minutes of deployment.

ESNET monitors are typically loaded with sensors for parameters such as dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, turbidity, ammonium, temperature, blue green algae and chlorophyll. However, it is also possible to include other water quality parameters as well as remote cameras, water level and flow, or meteorological measurements. The addition of autosamplers enables the collection of samples for laboratory analysis; either at pre-set intervals and/or initiated by specific alarm conditions. This is a particular advantage for water companies and regulators because it enables the immediate collection of samples in response to a pollution incident, which informs mitigation measures and helps to identify the source of contamination.

The EAC inquiry follows increasing concern about water quality in rivers, with just 14% of English rivers currently achieving ‘Good’ ecological status and no river rated ‘Good’ on its chemical status. It has also been reported that in 2020 there were over 400,000 discharges of raw sewage into English rivers.

Looking forward Andrew says: “All stakeholders are currently looking for ways to improve water quality in rivers, and effective continuous monitoring of receiving waters will perform a vital role in achieving that objective. In addition, the Environment Act 2021 places a new responsibility for monitoring the quality of watercourses into which storm overflows discharge.

“Water companies, regulators, consultants and water users can therefore be reassured that proven technology exists to better understand the factors affecting the quality of receiving waters.”

https://meteorcommunications.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/RiverTestUk-scaled.jpg 1920 2560 meteor https://meteorcommunications.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/msol-2.png meteor2021-11-30 10:03:382021-11-30 10:03:38UK’s Environmental Audit Committee requests river water quality submission from Meteor
ATEX approved remote camera

New EX remote camera for monitoring hazardous areas

September 15, 2021/in News /by meteor

We are delighted to announce the launch of our new MCE-MRC-EX camera, which is ATEX approved for use in Zone 1 & 2 hazardous areas.

Hundreds of Meteor Communications cameras are currently in operation all over the UK; helping to monitor and protect remote assets such as grilles, screens, channels, culverts and drains. However, many of our customers in the water, waste, construction, rail and aviation sectors need to also monitor hazardous areas, so the MCE-MRC-EX camera was developed specifically to meet that requirement.

Zone 1 & 2 hazardous areas are those in which there is a risk from the accumulation of an explosive gas. Typical locations therefore include confined spaces where there is a source of gases such as methane or petrochemicals, so the main applications for the MCE-MRC-EX camera will be in sewage and wastewater infrastructure, as well as in underground assets such as drains, culverts and pumping stations. Remote cameras can now be deployed in these locations to provide remote visibility of threats such as flooding.

The new camera is housed in an IP66 Ex-rated enclosure and an inbuilt IR or white light illuminator provides excellent low-light performance for clear, crisp images in any conditions. Images are transferred in real time via 4G with 3G/GPRS fallback, providing robust image transfer even from areas with poor mobile coverage. Images are sent to the ‘Meteor Cloud’ for secure viewing and analysis online, and there are options for those users wishing to integrate the images with their own applications.

The main advantage of remote cameras is that users are able to view sites remotely before deciding whether a visit is necessary, and also to determine what resources would be necessary for that visit. This means that less site visits are necessary, and wireless connectivity also means that operations such as camera configuration and firmware updates can be conducted remotely.

Importantly, all Meteor cameras allow direct connection of local sensors such as level switches and PIR sensors. Images can be delivered at scheduled intervals and be configured to trigger automatically from local sensors; providing additional images and alerts to users and entering enhanced polling modes.

The MCE-MRC-EX remote camera has a very low power requirement, whilst delivering high-quality, real-time images from remote assets within Zone 1 & 2 hazardous areas where data and mains power connections may not be available. Click here for more information.

https://meteorcommunications.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/MeteorComms-EX-camera-unmounted-scaled.jpg 1608 2560 meteor https://meteorcommunications.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/msol-2.png meteor2021-09-15 09:40:522021-09-15 10:05:25New EX remote camera for monitoring hazardous areas
Live data from remote cameras and water quality monitoring stations

Live data from remote monitoring stations on virtual WWEM booth 13/14 Oct 2021

September 8, 2021/in News /by meteor

WWEM 2021

Virtual WWEM 2021: 13-14 October

As a specialist provider of low power, remote cameras and water quality monitors, Meteor Communications  will provide a virtual exhibition booth at this year’s Water, Wastewater & Environmental Monitoring event, WWEM 2021. Visitors to the booth will be able to view live examples of continuous, real-time remote monitoring stations and integrated data in the Meteor Data Cloud.

The virtual conference and exhibition will run on 13th and 14th October 2021 and pre-registered delegates  will be able to access the WWEM Conference sessions free of charge. However, delegates are invited to pre-book virtual meetings with Meteor Communications (either via the event website or directly via email) to ensure that appropriate expertise can be provided.

Delegates will be able to seek expert advice on how and where to install remote cameras for monitoring flood prevention assets for example, as well as how to apply the latest image recognition functionality.

Experts will also be available to provide help with water quality monitoring applications – where to install equipment; what to monitor, and how to obtain real-time data remotely. Visitors will be able to compare the relative merits of purchasing monitors and subscribing to the company’s ‘Water Quality as a Service’ offering.

https://meteorcommunications.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/WWEM-2021-image.jpg 942 1892 meteor https://meteorcommunications.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/msol-2.png meteor2021-09-08 16:39:142021-09-08 16:42:20Live data from remote monitoring stations on virtual WWEM booth 13/14 Oct 2021
water quality testing equipment

Meteor Communications wins Scottish Water monitoring contract

July 22, 2021/in News /by meteornew

 Meteor Communications has been awarded a multi-year shared framework agreement by Scottish Water for the provision of multi-parameter wastewater quality final effluent monitoring. The contract has an estimated value of £2 million and follows a competitive tendering process which began in November 2020.

Bidders were invited to tender for the supply of monitoring systems that are well suited to continuous remote monitoring of final effluent. Flexibility was required in terms of the monitoring parameters; the systems should be able to operate on low (ideally solar) power in a turbulent final effluent discharge. Secure access to cloud-based data was a key requirement, in addition to minimal levels of maintenance.

The data provided by the systems will allow operators to better understand plant performance and resilience, and provide further insights into performance trends, events and pollution incidents.

Following the contract award, Meteor Communications will supply ESNET (Environmental Sensor NETwork) portable and kiosk systems in conjunction with Xylem EXO multiparameter sondes to measure final effluent water quality. The ESNET systems met the tender requirements and are ideal for this application. Meteor’s MD Matt Dibbs explains: “Historically, the installation cost and on-site maintenance requirements of final effluent monitors at smaller wastewater plants have been preclusive, but the development of ESNET systems has meant that water companies can now equip smaller rural plants with a comprehensive monitoring capability.

“There are hundreds of ESNET systems delivering water quality data from all over the UK, providing customers with high-resolution, real-time, accurate data to manage their resources with greater confidence.”

“In addition to fixed applications, portable ESNETs can also be deployed in minutes; providing users with the opportunity to easily move the monitors from site to site in order to conduct short-term investigations and assessments.”

This contract award builds on the existing ESNET network in place with Scottish Water which is already providing data that can be viewed securely using the MeteorCloud™ portal on a tablet, PC or smartphone. The Meteor Data Centre is integrated with Scottish Water SCADA as well as upcoming platforms to deliver a futureproof solution.

As part of the framework, Meteor will provide training to Scottish Water personnel to build a comprehensive knowledge base around water quality monitoring to enhance understanding of works performance.

https://meteorcommunications.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/esnet.jpg 600 800 meteornew https://meteorcommunications.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/msol-2.png meteornew2021-07-22 16:09:492021-09-15 10:06:16Meteor Communications wins Scottish Water monitoring contract
ESNET water quality monitoring systems - fixed or portable

Water Quality as a Service (WQaaS)

May 19, 2021/in News /by meteor

For decades, anyone needing to monitor water quality would purchase equipment to measure the parameters of interest. Today, Meteor Communications has challenged that model with their ‘Water Quality as a Service’ (WQaaS) solution.

“Ultimately, people monitor water quality because they need data,” explains Meteor’s MD Matt Dibbs. “So, we would happily sell them water quality monitoring systems, but many of our customers now prefer to just pay for the data – and let us manage the equipment.”

This radical approach has proved so popular with water companies, regulators and environmental consultants that hundreds of stations are now in the field, delivering continuous real-time, water quality data.

Matt says: “Our monitoring systems are ideal for providing real-time data from remote locations because they operate on very low power and wirelessly connect with the MeteorCloud secure web portal providing secure access for clients to view and download their own data.”

Wireless environmental sensor networks

Working with water companies and government agencies, Meteor Communications developed the ESNET (Environmental Sensor NETwork) autonomous water quality monitoring systems to allow rapid deployment with no requirement for pre-existing power or communication infrastructure. Modular and with multiparameter capability as well as built-in communications, ESNET systems deliver robust, high resolution real-time water quality data within minutes of deployment. The systems are available as a complete portable monitoring station or as part of a kiosk pumped system for semi-permanent or fixed installations. ESNET enables the rapid creation of monitoring networks, which is a particular advantage in the monitoring of catchments because it allows water managers to track the movement of water quality issues as they pass through a river system.

Swapping the water quality sonde is quick & easyESNET sondes are typically loaded with sensors for parameters such as dissolved oxygen, temperature, pH, conductivity, turbidity, ammonium, Blue Green Algae and chlorophyll. However, it is also possible to include other water quality parameters as well as remote cameras, water level and flow, or meteorological measurements. The addition of autosamplers enables the collection of samples for laboratory analysis; either at pre-set intervals and/or initiated by specific alarm conditions. This is a particular advantage for water companies and regulators because it enables the immediate collection of samples in response to a pollution incident, which informs mitigation measures and helps to identify the source of contamination.

How ‘Water Quality as a Service’ works

Under a WQaaS agreement, Meteor Communications installs ESNET stations at the customers’ sites, measuring pre-specified parameters. Meteor is then responsible for all aspects of the installation and retains ownership of the equipment. The provision of high intensity (typically 15 minute intervals) water quality data is assured by daily online checks that the stations are performing correctly. In addition, regular site visits are conducted for service and maintenance including monthly visits to swap the water quality sondes with duplicates which have been calibrated at Meteor’s dedicated Water Quality Services Hub near Basingstoke. “This ability to swap sondes is a vitally important feature of the service,” Matt explains. “By providing this service to all WQaaS customers there is a major benefit of scale, because this has enabled us to establish a dedicated sonde service and calibration facility that is able to process large batches of sondes quickly and effectively.”

Advantages of non-ownership model

The most important advantages are financial. With no capital costs, this model provides enormous flexibility for the users of the service because it means that they only have to spend money on the data that they need. In addition, there are no equipment depreciation costs and no requirement for investment in the resources that are necessary for ongoing service and calibration.

For many of Meteor’s customers, the main advantage is peace of mind, because continuity of data is usually vitally important. With staff from its Water Quality Services Hub checking outstations every day, combined with regular site visits, users of the system can rest assured that uninterrupted monitoring will generate a comprehensive dataset. On rare occasions, monitoring activities can be hampered by vandalism or even natural events, but the WQaaS system ensures that such issues are detected immediately, so that appropriate action can be implemented quickly to protect the continuity of data.

Risk reduction is also an advantage, because purchased equipment can fail, resulting in a requirement for repairs or replacement parts, which may cause a loss of data continuity. However, under the WQaaS scheme, Meteor is responsible for the system’s uptime, so spares for all of the ESNET’s modules are kept on standby as rapid replacements.

Where water quality monitoring is required for a specific project, the equipment can be tailored to meet precise needs, and at the end of the project the monitoring equipment is simply removed. This is ideal for consultants or researchers bidding for projects with a monitoring element, because it allows them to define the costs very accurately in advance.

Flexibility is the key benefit for water company users of the WQaaS model. Traditionally, final effluent water quality monitoring at wastewater treatment plants is undertaken by fixed equipment installed with appropriate capital works. This means that mainly larger plants benefit from continuous monitoring, so the major advantage of the ESNET systems is that they can be rapidly deployed at any site; delivering water quality insights later that same day. Then, once the investigation is complete, the equipment can be easily moved to a different plant.

Summarising Matt says: “This technology has been developed over many years, and with hundreds of systems already in the field we have invested heavily in the resources that are necessary to support these networks. This means that our customers do not need to make the same investment, which delivers efficiency and cost-saving benefits for everyone.

“We still sell ESNET systems to those for whom ownership makes more sense, but for many others the advantages of WQaaS are significant, because when the monitoring stops; so does the cost!”

https://meteorcommunications.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/ESNETsystems-scaled.jpg 1213 2560 meteor https://meteorcommunications.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/msol-2.png meteor2021-05-19 10:56:552021-05-19 10:56:55Water Quality as a Service (WQaaS)
River Thames London

How do you monitor water quality in a tidal river?

April 26, 2021/in News /by meteor

If water samples are taken from a river at 9am on consecutive days, it is reasonable to be able to directly compare analytical results, unless the water at the sampling location is tidal. This is because water quality is heavily affected by the state of the tide, which presents a significant monitoring challenge in the lower reaches of many rivers. To overcome this, scientists at the company Meteor Communications have developed a continuous monitoring and data management system that is able to remove the effects of tide and unveil the true underlying water quality.

The River Thames is tidal all the way up to the Teddington weir in west London, and with a tidal range of up to seven metres, this river is particularly challenging to monitor. Over the last 20 years, Meteor Communications has helped to develop modular water quality systems and advanced software programs that resolve the problems involved with monitoring a tidal river, whilst also delivering a capability to conduct continuous real-time monitoring at almost any location. In the following article, Meteor’s Managing Director Matt Dibbs explains how water quality monitoring has developed, and how this can be used to monitor recent improvements in tidal rivers such as the Thames.

The quality of water in the River Thames has been a major concern for the inhabitants of London for over 150 years. Consequently, samples have been taken for testing throughout the river’s recent history, helping to track water quality trends and identify trace pollutants. However, continuous monitoring is required where it is necessary to detect pollution incidents and effectively measure the impacts of mitigation measures. Apart from natural factors and variations, the main issues with potential to significantly affect water quality in the Thames are treated effluent discharges and sewage overflows during heavy rainfall.

Background

Rising in Gloucestershire and flowing through the Cotswolds, passing Oxford and Windsor, the River Thames meets the North Sea after passing through London. Stretching for 215 miles, the Thames is the longest river entirely in England and provides amenity value for large numbers of citizens. However, it has long been used as a source of drinking water, whilst also being the repository for sewage and wastewater. Today, wastewater is largely treated before discharge into the Thames, but during heavy rainfall wastewater overflows into the Thames, significantly affecting water quality. To address this, the Thames Tideway Tunnel (TTT) is being built to gather overflows and direct them to the Beckton Wastewater Treatment Works. Once complete, the TTT will need to be able to demonstrate improvements in water quality – monitoring systems that take account of the tide will therefore be essential.

In the past, prior to the implementation of London’s sewerage system, the effects of domestic and industrial discharges were more serious. In the 19th century, news reports described the Thames as a vast, foul-smelling drain. In the summer of 1858, water quality was so bad that the smell of the river, known as the ‘Great Stink,’ caused Parliament to leave London. Subsequently, Sir Joseph Bazalgette was contracted to design and build a sewer system.  At the time of the Great Stink, London was home to just two million people, but fortunately Bazalgette had the foresight to build a sewer system for a population twice that size, and much of the system remains in good working order. However, whilst these Victorian initiatives helped to lower pollution levels, water quality remained poor into the 1960s; the combined effects of inadequately treated sewage, industrial discharges, thermal pollution from power stations and the extensive use of non-biological detergents meant that parts of the estuary were incapable of supporting common river species such as insect larvae, crustaceans and fish.

Today’s challenge

Almost 9 million people now live in the capital, so significant investment has been made in the city’s wastewater infrastructure in recent decades. However, during periods of high rainfall, the system is still unable to cope with the volume of flow, and excess wastewater overflows via combined sewer overflows (CSOs) directly into the Thames. As a result, millions of tonnes of raw sewage passes, untreated, into the River Thames each year.

Infrastructure development in London includes new commercial and residential properties, as well as car parks, roads and paths. These hard, non-porous areas increase the speed with which rainfall enters the drainage system; thereby exacerbating the problem.  However, sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) now feature in many new developments and these initiatives help to slow the flow. In addition, local authorities are increasingly looking to utilise natural flood management tools to help cope with high precipitation events rather than building infrastructure which transfers the problem elsewhere (downstream). Much of the bankside in London is concrete or metal, which drastically reduces the habitat for many riverine species, so developers are now being encouraged to create green wetland areas which enhance biodiversity and create a more attractive view for valuable bankside properties.

In addition to the challenges posed by urban development, climate change is increasing the urgency with which urban drainage and wastewater treatment issues must be addressed. Climate predictions indicate that London is likely to experience more extreme weather events, so drainage and wastewater infrastructure must be designed to meet these growing challenges.

The River Thames and its major tributaries are the primary water resources in a total catchment serving a population of over 12 million people.  There are over 3000 licensed abstractions of water, accounting for approximately 55% of effective precipitation. In addition there are over 10,000 consents to discharge sewage or trade effluent into the catchment. This means that, in terms of rainfall versus abstraction, the Thames is the most heavily used river in Britain.

Thames Tideway Scheme

Victoria Embankment

Visualisation: Victoria Embankment

The three key components are collectively known as the London Tideway Improvements. They are:

  1. The construction of a deep storage and conveyance (4.3 miles) tunnel from the Abbey Mills Pumping Station near Stratford to Beckton Sewage Treatment Works. The Lee Tunnel was opened in January 2016 and captures 16 million tonnes annually from the single largest CSO in London. This is allowing the tidal River Lee (a tributary of the Thames) to regenerate.
  2. The second component of the scheme has upgraded and extended London’s five major sewage treatment works. This is enabling them to treat greater volumes of sewage, which reduces the need for CSO discharges.
  3. The 25 km Thames Tideway Tunnel is being constructed between Acton in west London, travelling through London at depths of 30 to 60 metres, using gravity to transfer waste eastwards. The tunnel closely follows the route of the river, intercepting targeted CSOs that currently discharge an average of 39Mm3 of untreated sewage per year. Once complete, it will connect to the Lee Tunnel and sewage will be pumped to the Beckton Sewage Treatment Works by the Tideway Pumping Station. The TTT is so large that it is the width of three double-decker buses side by side; consequently, in addition to providing interception to CSOs, it will also offer substantially increased storage capacity during peak flows.

One of the key objectives of the TTT, in combination with the improvements to the five sewage treatment works, will be to control discharges and improve river water quality.

Water quality monitoring

Sampling for laboratory analysis provides an opportunity to analyse a wide variety of parameters including the priority substances identified by the EU Water Framework Directive. Continuous monitoring, however, fulfils a different purpose; providing a continuous data stream for key indicative parameters such as pH, conductivity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, ammonium, Blue Green Algae and chlorophyll. This enables the detection of sudden changes that arise from pollution incidents; helping to raise timely alarms and identify the source of pollution.

One of the most important benefits of an integrated system that monitors an entire catchment is the ability to track pollution events as they move with the river, so that water treatment plants can adjust their intakes accordingly. In addition, by monitoring all day every day, Meteor’s scientists are able to accommodate the significant effects of tidal water with software known as ‘Half Tide Correction’ (HTC).

Meteor’s HTC software creates zones in the river which are defined by their distance from a fixed point, such as a bridge. This enables the continuous monitoring of water quality in each zone, wherever it is in the ebb and flow of the tide. As a result, water quality issues can be detected very quickly, which means that timely mitigation measures can be deployed – emergency water oxygenation for example.

In the river Thames the worst water quality issues typically occur when sudden high levels of rainfall follow a dry period. This is because waste materials accumulate and concentrate during dry periods and when stormwater rushes into the drainage system, the leading edge of the flow is generally the most polluted, and it is this issue that the TTT is targeted to address. Nevertheless, it is possible that CSOs will still discharge into the Thames after the Tunnel is opened (in 2025), but the Thames Tideway Tunnel Scheme will ensure that around 95% of CSO discharges are diverted for treatment.

High intensity monitoring

In the UK, the decline of manufacturing, coupled with investments and improvements in wastewater treatment systems have contributed to an overall improvement in Thames river water quality. However, storm overflows typically initiate sudden sags in dissolved oxygen – often in conjunction with a rise in ammonium. The speed with which such changes can occur necessitates (almost continuous) high intensity monitoring.

Over the last 20 years Meteor Communications has developed and refined its range of ESNET (Environmental Sensor NETwork) continuous water quality monitoring systems, so that they can be quickly and easily deployed at almost any location; delivering data via telemetry within minutes of installation. ESNET Water Quality Monitoring SystemThe systems are available in a kiosk for semi-permanent installations or as a portable unit for temporary monitoring projects or investigations. Each system is built around a battery-powered multiparameter water quality sonde which takes readings at 15 minute intervals (although faster measurements are possible). Data are then transferred by 3G/4G to a central database.

Modularity is a vitally important feature of the ESNET systems. For example, the core components of a kiosk system are exactly the same as a portable system. This means that, for example, a kiosk system can be converted into a portable system within seconds, and sondes can be swapped without harming data accuracy or integrity.

To support the 500+ ESNET monitoring systems that are currently in operation on rivers and at treatment works across the UK, Meteor Communications has established a dedicated Water Quality Services Hub near Basingstoke. The company’s ‘Water Quality as a Service’ operation is handled by this facility. Under this scheme, customers do not own the monitors; they simply pay for access to their own water quality data. Meteor installs and operates the ESNET systems and the sondes are exchanged on a monthly basis, after which each sonde is returned to the Basingstoke laboratory where it is serviced and calibrated before redeployment.

Summary

Historically, many societies have treated rivers as drains; providing a vehicle for the removal of waste and flood water, but today the real environmental and amenity value of rivers is better appreciated, and the Thames Tideway Tunnel Scheme is a good example of the work that is being undertaken to improve the quality of UK rivers. Continuous monitoring performs a vital role in all such initiatives.

Over the last 20 years, a number of factors have combined to enable the implementation of highly effective water quality monitoring. Sensor technology improvements have meant that readings do not drift and the periods between calibrations have been extended to enable long-term deployment. The latest communications technologies make it possible to gather data from almost anywhere, and to communicate with remote installations at low cost.

Over the years, monitoring system hardware has been improved so that it is compact, rugged, self-contained and modular. As a result, ESNET systems can be deployed quickly and easily; delivering data within minutes of deployment.

There are many advantages to be gained from monitoring networks as opposed to single monitors. For example, with larger numbers of sensors, it is possible to identify and reduce areas of data uncertainty. In the future, it may also be possible for algorithms to be created that reduce the requirement for manual calibration.

Monitoring networks enable the tracking of pollution and help to identify the sources of pollution. This information can be used to develop better informed interventions and to help farmers and other landowners adopt practices that improve water quality.

With the benefit of the HTC module, monitoring systems are able to assess the effectiveness of the measures contained within projects such as the Thames Tideway Scheme, so that the value of investments can be qualified; thereby informing decisions on future developments. Looking forward, it is inevitable that more high-intensity monitoring systems will be established as the world’s great conurbations develop into smart cities.

 

https://meteorcommunications.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/RiverThames_WaterQualityMonitoring-scaled.jpg 1794 2560 meteor https://meteorcommunications.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/msol-2.png meteor2021-04-26 15:36:452021-09-15 10:07:08How do you monitor water quality in a tidal river?
meteor van for water quality testing

Meteor Water Quality Services Hub goes Live

November 17, 2020/in News /by meteornew

Growing demand for high resolution, real-time water quality monitoring data has prompted Meteor Communications Ltd to invest in a dedicated Water Quality Services Hub near Basingstoke. The new resource has been developed to support the 500+ ESNET monitoring systems that are currently in operation on rivers and at treatment works across the UK.

“The creation of a dedicated service and calibration resource will enable us to expand the ‘Water Quality as a Service’ capability that has been a major driver for growth in our business,” comments Meteor MD, Matt Dibbs.

In recent years, Meteor has worked with government agencies and water companies to develop the ESNET (Environmental Sensor NETwork) autonomous water quality monitoring systems that can be rapidly deployed and require no power or communication infrastructure. Modular and with built-in communications and multiparameter capability, ESNET systems can be deployed within minutes.

The systems are available as a portable monitoring station or as part of a kiosk system for semi-permanent or fixed installations. Each ESNET station employs a multiparameter sonde to measure water quality, and the accuracy of readings is assured by a monthly site visit, during which a member of the Meteor team checks the station and swaps the sonde.

With the new facility in Basingstoke, ESNET customers are able to exploit the many different benefits of high resolution, real-time water quality data.

https://meteorcommunications.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/New_MeteorWQMSfacility.jpg 480 1280 meteornew https://meteorcommunications.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/msol-2.png meteornew2020-11-17 10:42:412020-11-17 10:42:41Meteor Water Quality Services Hub goes Live
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