Strengthen wastewater systems. Reduce flood risks.
When wastewater is no longer reliably removed, technical infrastructure quickly becomes a societal risk. Flooded streets after heavy rainfall, unpleasant odours in residential areas, overloaded and ageing pumping stations or unplanned discharges into watercourses – the consequences are immediately visible and become a political issue. At the same time, the system itself remains invisible: underground, hidden in shafts, dependent on technology that in many places has been in use for decades.
Sewers used to be designed for very different conditions, such as more even flow rates and lower solids content. Today, lower flushing volumes due to water-saving measures coincide with increasing loads from coarse solids. Deposits build up, blockages occur more frequently, and the formation of hydrogen sulphide leads to acid corrosion as well as odour problems.
During heavy rainfall, by contrast, huge volumes of water enter the system in a very short time. Combined sewers reach the limits of their capacity, pumping stations run at full stretch – flooding and costly emergency measures are the result.
At the same time, cities continue to grow and new residential areas are being developed in places where there is currently no efficient drainage infrastructure. New developments without network connection, rural properties or topographically challenging locations without natural gradients further increase planning and technical complexity.
In parallel, the requirements for transparency, energy use and documentation are rising.
The revised UWWTD introduces stricter requirements for affected operators in areas such as
- Collection and discharge of wastewater
- Monitoring and verification
- Handling of stormwater and combined water overflows
- Minimising leakages
- Reducing overflows
- Documenting and limiting specified environmental impacts
Wastewater collection and transport must meet a range of requirements:
Existing systems need to be adapted to changing operating conditions. At the same time, new infrastructure must accommodate different load scenarios, changes in wastewater composition and regulatory requirements. Targeted modernisation can help limit operational effort and reduce operational risks.
Our solutions for modernizing wastewater infrastructure
From the expansion of existing networks and pumping stations to intelligent sewer network control, we support municipalities in adapting their wastewater infrastructure to changing requirements and operating conditions.
Systematic modernisation of pumping stations
Wastewater pumping stations operate 24/7 under high mechanical and hydraulic loads. Many of these installations have been in service for decades. Obsolete control technology, a lack of transparency regarding the condition of the plant and increasing solids content in the wastewater all raise the risk of clogging, failures and unplanned callouts. At the same time, the demands around energy use, documentation and operational reliability are increasing.
We see the modernisation of pumping stations as a targeted strengthening of the entire wastewater infrastructure.
A hydraulic and technical assessment of the existing system provides the basis for tailoring pumps, control systems and digital solutions to the specific requirements of the installation.
Modern pump technology can help reduce the risk of clogging. Tailored control concepts allow operation to be adapted to different load conditions. Digital solutions also provide transparency into relevant operating conditions and support targeted maintenance planning. Existing control systems and system structures can be incorporated into the modernisation concept.
This allows the pumping station to be specifically adapted to changing requirements – with coordinated pump, control and system technology. This supports predictable system operation and can help reduce unplanned downtime and the associated operational effort.
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Drainage in rural areas
Pressure drainage with Wilo-Nexos Intelligence
Not every area can be economically connected via a conventional gravity sewer system. In dispersed settlements, new developments without an existing network connection, holiday home areas with highly fluctuating occupancy, or in topographically challenging locations, traditional solutions can reach technical or financial limits. Deep, large-scale pipe trenches drive up investment costs and extend construction times – and the systems are still prone to deposits and overload peaks.
Pressure drainage unlocks new flexibility
Wastewater can be transported independently of the natural gradient using small-diameter, flexible pressure pipelines and decentralised pumping stations. Depending on the project, this can reduce the required civil engineering work and simplify infrastructure development. However, fluctuating inflow volumes place particular demands on operation: at low wastewater volumes, low flow velocities can encourage deposits and odour formation. Energy demand also depends significantly on system design and operation.
With Wilo-Nexos Intelligence, individual pumping stations can be digitally networked and controlled in a coordinated manner. Depending on the network structure and control concept, inflow volumes can be distributed in a targeted way and the required flow velocities can be supported. Relevant operating data can also be systematically recorded and analysed.
This allows the control system to respond to different load conditions and adapt the operation of the pumping stations to the requirements of the network. The operating data collected also provides a basis for the targeted planning of maintenance and optimisation measures.
More on Nexos NET IntelligenceRethinking urban drainage – urban resilience
When intense rainfall floods entire streets within minutes, it becomes clear just how much pressure urban areas are under. Enormous volumes of water surge into the sewer system. Pumping stations are pushed to their limits. There is a growing risk of backflow and flooding.
At the same time, cities are facing longer dry periods and overheated neighbourhoods. Reduced flows and insufficient flow velocities lead to deposits in sewers, odour problems and increased cleaning requirements. Existing infrastructure is reaching its limits.
We see urban drainage as an interplay between stormwater management and intelligent sewer network management. The basis is coordinated hydraulic planning that combines retention and controlled discharge with the requirements of water protection.
Flow control systems, flow regulators, baffle plates and weir systems enable water levels and flows in sewers and structures to be regulated in a targeted manner. In combination with suitable stormwater treatment measures, existing storage capacity can be used more effectively and overflows can be reduced. At the same time, treatment can help limit the discharge of relevant pollutants into water bodies.
Alongside centralised measures, decentralised stormwater management concepts are becoming increasingly important.
The so-called sponge city principle aims to retain rainwater as close as possible to where it falls and support the natural water cycle in urban areas. Measures include urban greening, infiltration areas and rainwater use, as well as decentralised on-site treatment of polluted stormwater.
As heavy rainfall events become more frequent, targeted flood protection is also gaining importance. When appropriately sized, stormwater retention basins can accommodate peak flows and discharge rainwater in a controlled manner. Combined with further technical flood protection measures, they can help reduce flood risks and potential damage.
With coordinated concepts for stormwater management and flood protection, we support cities in adapting their drainage infrastructure to different load conditions. The aim is to manage stormwater in a controlled manner, reduce pressure on water bodies and adapt infrastructure to changing conditions.
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Protecting infrastructure together
Targeted modernisation can help improve system operation, reduce operational risks and address new technical requirements. Together, we assess the current state of your infrastructure and identify suitable measures for your system.
Contact our expertsSolutions along the water cycle
Our solutions are used throughout the entire water cycle – from water abstraction and supply through to use, wastewater treatment and return to the environment. By combining pump and system technology with digital solutions and services, we support a wide range of water management applications.
