Level measurement of a water sump at a sewage treatment plant

Fast, reliable 80 GHz radar level measurement keeps sewage pumping stations under control—even during extreme weather.

A municipal wastewater treatment plant in Queensland required a faster, more reliable way to monitor rapidly fluctuating sump levels at a sewage pumping station. Existing hydrostatic probes were slow to respond, prone to clogging, and maintenance-intensive. A trial with the KROHNE OPTIWAVE 1540 80 GHz radar level transmitter demonstrated accurate, high-dynamic, non-contact level measurement unaffected by sludge buildup or flooding. Easy Bluetooth commissioning, IP68 protection, and fast response times enable operators to activate pumps quickly, prevent overflow, and improve overall process reliability while maintaining a cost comparable to hydrostatic solutions.