Background: Industrial wastewater treatment plants typically require close monitoring to ensure both the treatment process and variable costs are optimised. Without this, discharge consent failure and/or significant overruns on power, chemical and sludge costs can result.

Sampling: At all Alpheus-operated industrial wastewater plants involving secondary treatment, sampling and on-site laboratory analysis is used to monitor quality of wastewater received at the plant, inter-stage plant performance and the final effluent discharged off-site. On-site laboratories typically allow COD, suspended solids, ammonia, pH, phosphate, alkalinity and Stirred Specific Volume Index (SSVl) analysis. Results are incorporated with daily plant readings and compared to benchmarked figures; operational decisions are then made on the basis of the results.

Lab Analysis: On-site analysis is supplemented by periodic off-site UKAS-accredited analysis at AWG's laboratories. This ensures quality control of our own laboratory techniques, provides data suitable for forwarding to customers and, if required, to regulatory bodies. AWG's analytical facilities allow for normal sanitary analysis, as well as microbiological, metals, organics and sludge analysis.

Microsopy: At sites with activated sludge plants, we view mixed liquor samples under microscopes to assess the condition of the activated sludge-checking for presence of excessive filaments and a healthy range of protozoa. This work is supported by specialist microbiological facilities at AWG's laboratories.

Telemetry: Site labour is reduced through installation of telemetry to monitor critical plant parameters and equipment through digital and analogue signals. The systems are linked to our control centre, manned 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to warn of abnormal conditions. Communication links can be via telephone lines, radio links or mobile phone technology as appropriate.

Data Management: On more complex sites, we utilise handheld data-loggers to record current plant data which is uploaded via modem to our data management centre. From here, more complex calculations can be made to assess plant loadings, parameter inter-relationships, stock usage rates and current operating costs. Any parameters beyond normal limits generate automatic exception reports to the site.