State-of-the-art measurement technology from VEGA plays a pivotal role in ensuring the success of this transformation. Precise level, pressure and flow measurement data provide the data for reliable, cost-effective, legally compliant operation of municipal wastewater facilities.
The new Municipal Wastewater Directive: What has changed for plant operators
The revised EU Municipal Wastewater Directive aims to better protect bodies of water and significantly reduce emissions from wastewater treatment plants. Key areas of focus include:
- Introduction of a fourth treatment stage for removal of trace substances
- Stricter limit values for nitrogen and phosphorus
- Detailed recording of discharge volumes in stormwater overflow basins
- Promoting the reuse of treated wastewater
- Higher requirements on transparency and documentation
For plant operators, this means one thing above all: Without reliable measurement data, compliance with the directive is virtually impossible.
Why measurement technology is becoming a key factor
Municipal wastewater facilities operate under challenging conditions and increasing regulation. Heavy rainfall, corrosive media, foaming and potentially explosive atmospheres place high demands on transmitter technology and data processing.
The directive requires:
- traceable measured values
- long-term data storage
- precise process monitoring
- high operational reliability
- rapid response to malfunctions
Robust level, pressure and point level transmitters from VEGA enable reliable monitoring, even under extreme weather conditions.
Smart monitoring of the sewer network
A central component of the new Municipal Wastewater Directive is the detailed recording of flow volumes in sewer systems.
Continuous level monitoring enables:
- identification of sources of water infiltration
- early detection of blockages
- prevention of hydraulic overload
State-of-the-art VEGA radar transmitters, in particular, enable reliable measurement – unaffected by debris, soiling or weather conditions. In combination with AI-supported data processing, they create intelligent sewer networks with significantly greater operational reliability.
Documenting stormwater overflow basins in accordance with legal requirements
The new municipal wastewater directive tightens the requirements relating to the documentation of impoundment and discharge events in stormwater overflow basins.
Precise measurement technology is absolutely necessary here:
- Accurate and reliable level monitoring
- Determination of discharge volumes
- Long-term data storage
- Ability to provide proof to regulatory authorities
In this context, non-contact radar measurement technology from VEGA offers distinct advantages over ultrasonic systems, particularly in the presence of foam, moisture and contamination. The universal Modbus interface also facilitates integration with standard data loggers.
Efficient pumping stations realised through precise pressure and level measurement
Pumping stations are among the most energy-intensive components of municipal wastewater systems. And they have to operate 100% reliably at all times.
Modern measurement technology makes it possible to:
- Optimise pumping cycles
- Reduce energy consumption
- Prevent dry running
- Improve maintenance intervals
- Detect malfunctions at an early stage
Maintenance-free VEGA radar and pressure transmitters, in particular, offer long-term benefits for operators, as they function reliably even under harsh operating conditions.
Wastewater inlet: Precise flow measurement for reliable processes
At the wastewater inlet, dependable flow measurement is crucial for process control and compliance with the new Municipal Wastewater Directive. Modern radar transmitters measure contactlessly and – operating independently of ambient conditions – are significantly more reliable than conventional ultrasonic systems.
Advantages of the latest measurement technology at the wastewater inlet:
- precise measurement of inflow quantities
- early detection of peak loads
- better process control in the clarification plant
- comprehensive, accurate data for regulatory authorities
Additional data loggers and flow meters ensure that measurement data is stored over the long term and remains transparent at all times.
The fourth treatment stage: New requirements on process monitoring
Introduction of the fourth treatment stage is one of the most significant changes brought about by the new Municipal Wastewater Directive.
The aim is to remove persistent micropollutants (trace substances) such as:
- Pharmaceutical residues
- Hormones
- Pesticides
- Microplastics
Implementation requires the use of various processes, for each of which VEGA offers precise instrument solutions.
Granular activated carbon filtration
In this process, water flows through a layer of activated carbon. This activated carbon granulate binds contaminants from the water that were not removed during conventional purification.
Backwashing processes are monitored using, among other things:
- Radar level measurement
- Pressure transmitters
This enables reliable and economical control of the plant’s filtration system according to demand.
Addition of powdered activated carbon
Powdered activated carbon, which adsorbs micropollutants, is added to the water. Subsequent filtration separates the carbon particles, allowing them to be disposed of.
Instrumentation provides important data and control in this process:
- Monitoring of filter saturation
- Detection of carbon particles
- Control of the filtration process
Pressure transmitters and vibrating level switches, in particular, play a key role in ensuring stable plant operation.
Ozonation for oxidation
Ozonation makes use of a powerful oxidising agent to chemically destroy trace substances or break them down into easily degradable components. Precise pressure monitoring is essential for this.
The deployed transmitters must continuously monitor the exact pressure in the pipework and be able to withstand aggressive media such as chlorine or ozone. This is the only way to ensure reliable operation.
Reverse osmosis for contaminant removal
In municipal wastewater treatment plants, radar transmitters can be deployed above the sludge retention tank for precise level measurement.
In reverse osmosis, water is pre-filtered and then forced under high pressure through a semi-permeable membrane.
This removes even the tiniest of particles, such as bacteria, viruses or other contaminants.
Membrane fouling is monitored via differential pressure measurement, which also optimally and automatically initiates the cleaning process.
Phosphorus recovery: Sustainability requires process reliability
Phosphorus exists only in very limited quantities, which is why recovering this raw material is absolutely necessary. Extracting it from sewage sludge and sewage sludge ash involves various processes that rely on reliable measurement data.
Because control of these processes is technically complex, it requires:
- high-precision measurement data
- robust sensor technology
Only stable processes can guarantee long-term, profitable recovery. VEGA offers a comprehensive range of products to meet the widely different requirements of the various processes.
Wastewater reuse is becoming increasingly important
Due to its scarcity, clean water is becoming an increasingly valuable resource worldwide. For this reason, and thanks to the steadily improving quality of wastewater treatment, the reuse of treated wastewater is becoming an increasingly important environmental factor – for example, for agricultural irrigation.
Demand-driven storage and distribution would not be feasible without suitable measurement technology. VEGA’s solutions in this area include high-precision transmitters for level measurement and pressure monitoring in tanks and pipelines.
Digitalisation and data management are becoming mandatory
Beside actual measurement, reliable processing, storage and documentation of data are also becoming increasingly important. VEGA offers a wide selection of field devices precisely tailored to your requirements and seamlessly integrated into your own or hosted management systems.
The following services are available to you free of charge on the myVEGA customer portal:
- Cloud-based backup & restore of transmitter settings
- Important documentation, prices and delivery times
- Order history and shipment tracking
- Digital twin for secure data storage
- Easy creation of maintenance records
- Access to transmitter settings, certificates and maintenance histories at any time via
- QR code, RFID tag or serial number
- Maintenance documentation via QR code or RFID
Professional data management is a crucial success factor, particularly in terms of legal compliance and auditability.
Without modern measurement technology, the Municipal Wastewater Directive cannot be reliably implemented
The new Municipal Wastewater Directive presents local authorities and plant operators with considerable technical and organisational challenges. At the same time, it provides the opportunity to make existing infrastructure more sustainable and efficient.
Modern measurement technology forms the basis for:
- legally compliant documentation
- stable and energy-efficient processes
- reliable process monitoring
- sustainable water management
- cost-effective plant operation
Investing early in robust transmitter technology, intelligent data analysis and digital process monitoring, lays the foundation for a future-proof wastewater infrastructure.
