Pre-chlorination of raw water with state-of-the-art control technology
Digitally connected and safely monitored
Italian water supply company AMAP S.p.A. uses the DULCONNEX digital fluid management system in 120 raw water test stations in Sicily. The interconnected components control and monitor pre-chlorination during potable water treatment.
Complete digital solution required for large-scale project
On the largest island in the Mediterranean, Italian company AMAP S.p.A. is responsible for supplying water to 35 municipalities in the Palermo metropolitan region. Around 1.2 million of Sicily's five million inhabitants are supplied with potable water by AMAP. The raw water comes from various sources such as old water reservoirs and aqueducts dating back to the 19th century. Depending on where the water is taken from, pre-chlorination must take place before the raw water can be fed into the waterworks for further treatment.
The new European Directive 2020/2184 on potable water treatment has been in force since January 2023. As a result, Member States must ensure appropriate monitoring of relevant parameters, substances or pollutants in surface water or groundwater as well as in the catchment areas of extraction points or in raw water during risk assessment. In addition, water suppliers and the competent authorities must have access to the monitoring results. AMAP had already gained positive experience from previous projects, particularly in terms of product reliability and the trustworthy support of ProMinent Italy. This is why the company opted for location-independent, real-time plant monitoring using DULCONNEX when renewing the 120 regional test stations.
Key data
- Disinfection of raw water for the potable water supply of the Palermo metropolitan region with 1.2 million inhabitants
- Equipping 120 regionally distributed raw water test stations with metering pumps, sensors and panel-mounted measuring and control systems
- Digital solution connecting all components: DULCONNEX fluid management for remote control and monitoring
Regional installation as a challenge
Equipping the 120 test stations in Palermo and the associated 35 municipalities was quite a challenge for the external installation company. Some locations were difficult to access and the space for installing the compact measuring panels was sometimes limited. Also, the right router had to be selected for the 4G network. All in all, it took a good year and a half before ProMinent Italy was able to commission the system. The scope of delivery consisted of the following components:
100 measuring panels with sensors for pH value and chlorine, 10 measuring panels with sensors for pH value, chlorine and conductivity, and 10 measuring panels with sensors for pH value, chlorine, conductivity and turbidity. In addition, 120 DACb controllers, 120 solenoid diaphragm metering pumps gamma/ X and 11 DULCOLEVEL radar level sensors were integrated. DULCONNEX, the smart solution for connecting all components in one system, enables optimal interaction between metering pumps, disinfection systems, measuring & control devices and sensors.
Reliable control and monitoring in real time
With the renewal of its 120 test stations for raw water, water supplier AMAP has achieved its goal: thanks to the DULCONNEX monitoring system from ProMinent, the requirements of the new EU directive are met. Secure access to all data and required measured values in real time is guaranteed and continuously documented. The robust, interconnected components form the basis of the system and can be individually adapted to the respective operating conditions remotely. The measured values can be conveniently accessed via smartphone, tablet or PC. Configurable alarms and notifications provide information about relevant events around the clock. In the case of a serious event, this enables the customer to react promptly and initiate emergency chlorination, for example. The collaboration between AMAP and ProMinent Italy was highly satisfactory for all parties throughout the entire project. Most importantly, however, the Palermo metropolitan region is being supplied with clean potable water.
- Interconnected components optimise operating processes and thus increase overall process reliability and system efficiency
- Remote access to each individual test station for raw water for individual regulation of the chlorine value and the corresponding disinfection performance
- Continuous documentation of all measured values and access for authorities at any time
- Real-time monitoring ensures compliance with legal requirements and EU-wide guidelines
- Partnership-based cooperation in handling the large-scale project over a longer period strengthens trust in the customer relationship
Project participants:
Ing. A Hoffmann, Site Manager, Designer AMAP S.p.A.
Ing. T. Borruso, Project Designer AMAP S.p.A.
The project was fully funded by the European Commission under the NOP (National Operational Programme).