Ideal monitoring for the sewerage network

WASTEWATER

The Proteus range of instruments are unparalleled sensors for monitoring organic loading in the sewerage network and throughout the wastewater treatment process. Thanks to rigorously tested algorithms, providing highly accurate, real-time quantification of BOD and COD concentration, which helps prevent harmful by-product formation and ensures compliance with regulatory standards.

What’s more, The Proteus range of sensors are reagent-free and require minimal maintenance. Whether you need to monitor BOD levels in final effluent for compliance or wish to optimise treatment processes through feedback and control loops for settlement and aeration, the Proteus range of sensors are perfect for the job. Maximising efficiency, reducing costs, and improving the overall effectiveness of your wastewater treatment process.

Maximising Efficiency and Compliance: The Benefits of Using Proteus for Wastewater Treatment Process

COMPLIANCE

REAL-TIME DATA

LOW MAINTENANCE

NO REAGENTS

SUPPORT

COST SAVING

Half of a turquoise Proteus with all the sensors on the bottom out sitting on a high mossy rock during sunset

BOD - WHY IS IS IMPORTANT?

Biochemical Oxygen Demand is a very important water quality parameter within the wastewater industry and in particular the WWTW. BOD is the measurement of the amount of dissolved oxygen that is used by aerobic micro-organisms to decompose the organic matter in water. A typical healthy river will have 100% saturation of oxygen (8-10 mg/l), hence lots of oxygen for micro-organisms to consume organic matter. However, incoming wastewater to a WWTW is likely to have less than 10-20% saturation or 1-2 mg/l of dissolved oxygen. This reduced amount of oxygen is not enough to feed the bugs to decompose the organic matter. As such the dissolved oxygen levels must be increased dramatically by the use of aerators for the bugs to do their job.

A turquoise proteus standing on a wooden gate post, a beautiful blue clear sky in the background and a river with brown reeds in the distance

BOD5 - SHOULDN'T WE MOVE ON?

The BOD5 (5-Day Biochemical Oxygen Demand) test is widely accepted as not being a precise quantitative test. The lack of technological advancement has meant that this 100-year old test is still used today even though it is not very accurate. BOD5 is typically used to enforce compliance limits on discharges from WWTWs in most countries. Water companies and industrial effluent dischargers must always operate below their discharge consent limit or risk prosecution. We regularly hear or read in the news about pollution events from WWTWs, Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) and industrial companies but to date there has been no real-time BOD sensor available. This has meant that organisations have to rely on less reliable surrogate parameters or rely on the occasional spot sample which is sent off to an accredited laboratory. Regulations for BOD vary across the world but typically discharges have to be below 15 mg/l. The maximum BOD discharge into sewer systems varies between 200-300 mg/l. The potential to have real-time optical BOD, COD, TOC, ammonium and phosphate data can transform WWTW processes and compliance worldwide.

22.7 million gallons of untreated waste is released from sewage treatment plants per day

1,271 discharges of raw sewage into UK rivers and seas per day in 2023

3.6 million hours of sewage discharged into our UK rivers and seas in 2023

Excessive stress can decimate aquatic ecosystems.

ENSURING COMPLIANCE

If a result comes back over compliance it is simply too late and the damage to the environment is done. If the rate of DO consumption by bacteria in the receiving waters exceeds the supply of DO from the aquatic plants, algal photosynthesis or from natural aeration then stress is applied to the aquatic environment. Excessive stress can decimate aquatic ecosystems.

If an organisation or water company has exceeded their consent limit this ultimately means that the upstream treatment processes are not working effectively. The Proteus range of sensors are ideal for monitoring organic loading in the sewerage networks and at all stages of the waste water treatment process. Providing robust and rigorously tested algorithms and accurate, real-time, quantification of BOD and COD concentration. Whether you require on-line BOD monitoring of final effluent to ensure compliance or are seeking to improve efficiency of the treatment process using feedback and control loops for settlement and aeration, Proteus Instruments can help.