Stormwater Intelligent Control System (2005)
Water restrictions, pollution control, volume balances, and the emergence of stormwater utilities have lead to the development of an automated intelligent system (“I-Water”) for water use and control. With the use of this system, water stored in stormwater ponds or in the surficial aquifer is not discharged to surface waters because it is used to meet water demands, such as, lawn irrigation, environmental protection, agriculture, drinking and industrial uses.
Abstract
Water restrictions, pollution control, volume balances, and the emergence of stormwater utilities have lead to the development of an automated intelligent system (“I-Water”) for water use and control. With the use of this system, water stored in stormwater ponds or in the surficial aquifer is not discharged to surface waters because it is used to meet water demands, such as, lawn irrigation, environmental protection, agriculture, drinking and industrial uses.
The drop in groundwater levels and the increasing use of reclaimed water illustrates a need for alternative water supplies. Ground water depletion is occurring which is adding to the destruction of wetland areas and reduced spring flows. The supply of available reclaimed water continues to rise but so does the demand for irrigation water. The automation, water quality monitoring, and database that an Intelligent Water (“I-Water”) controller provides can make stormwater reuse systems more feasible thus helping to reduce stormwater pollutant loadings, maintain watershed volume balances, and provide an alternative irrigation water supply. Using advanced technology is an efficient and effective way to manage this valuable freshwater resource. Telecommunications has made it possible to monitor water flow, valves, collect data, read instrumentation such as water quality sensors and control things remotely and in 'real time'.
Presented in this report is an automated controller integrating multiple sensors, used to collect data that can be monitored daily (if desired) via home or office computers and that can remotely control the flow of water using home or office computers. The automated controller can be operated at the installation site or via telecommunications from a remote site. The “I-Water” will make stormwater volume control using reuse systems more feasible by decreasing O&M costs. Remote on-line monitoring to provide more reliable data at a greater frequency of collection is possible with the “I-Water” or similar systems. The I-Water” will provide access to pollutant monitoring to assure that the stormwater is safe to use for non-potable purposes. The “I-Water” is available for deployment.