Drinking water treatment facilities have the critical job of producing a safe supply of high-quality drinking water. Complex operational processes demand the highest flow meter accuracy and reliability, as well as long-term stability and a low cost of ownership. Badger Meter water treatment solutions meet this challenge, assisting utility customers with increasing compliance levels, protecting treatment assets and providing opportunities for process optimisation using analytics.
Disinfection is an essential component of drinking water treatment. To protect public health, careful management and monitoring of the disinfection process ensures the drinking water quality is maintained throughout the distribution network.
Chemical compounds and common pipeline construction materials, as well as dead ends, inadequate storage tank turnover, and mainline breaks are also primary culprits for poor water quality. Routine maintenance and testing can limit interruptions of service by detecting quality issues promptly.
Rather than daily sampling and transporting grab samples to a central lab and waiting for results, in-network water quality monitoring solutions provide the basis upon which a robust disinfection control programme is built. This online, real-time accurate measurement data provides the intelligence operators need to proactively manage the drinking water disinfection process.
At Badger Meter, there are a wide range of solutions on offer.
Online sensors such as the Q46 series, have the capability to measure over 20 water quality parameters, including DO, pH, turbidity (NTU) and total suspended solids (TSS) in real time. These monitors deployed strategically in key locations create a network of sensors, providing comprehensive monitoring capabilities and provide quantitative, accurate, high-resolution measurements for assessing water quality.
Badger Meter provides a full 360-degree perspective on safety, with solutions not just for water, but also for gas detection, keeping treatment plant staff safe too. The engineering team has worked with a prominent UK utility on the successful implementation of a real-time air quality monitoring system, focused on toxic gas detection within the water treatment works itself. The project addresses the risks associated with chlorine and sulphur dioxide; two gases critical to water treatment, but hazardous to personnel and the environment.
At the heart of the system is the F12 Toxic Gas Detector from Badger Meter, equipped with smart, interchangeable electrochemical sensors. These sensors provide high sensitivity and precision, enabling continuous real-time monitoring. A key innovation is its AutoTest function, performing daily automated bump tests to verify sensor performance, removing the need for manual checks and ensuring uninterrupted accuracy. This functionality, along with centralised control, visual/audible alerts, remote monitoring, and automatic gas shutdowns, significantly enhances operational efficiency and environmental protection.
This system delivers measurable environmental benefits by preventing accidental gas releases, reducing atmospheric pollution and supporting regulatory compliance. Its ultra-low power design also reduces energy consumption and maintenance. A 36-hour battery backup ensures reliability during power interruptions. Demonstrating a strong commitment to safety, Badger Meter offers several products housed in explosion-proof enclosures meeting specific ATEX standards.
Scalable technology is applicable across the wider water sector and other industries which handle hazardous gases. This approach provides a compelling model for improving public health outcomes by reducing exposure risks, streamlining emergency response and setting new industry benchmarks in safety. With potential integration into predictive analytics and broader environmental monitoring frameworks, this initiative supports current needs and future innovation.
Stakeholder confidence and the system’s proven field performance underline its value as a transformative solution for critical infrastructure.
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badgermeter.com/DWT2025
