SAFE AND EFFICIENT FROM THE GROUND UP

1. september 2025 | VEGA

• Automation & Robotter
• Maskiner, Værktøj, Produktions- og Sikkerhedsudstyr

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Level and pressure measurement technology guarantees high drinking water quality

Drinking water purification is a complex process. Many parameters have to be carefully monitored to ensure that the water meets the high quality requirements and legal threshold values. From the preparation to the storage of drinking water, the deployed level and pressure instrumentation, in particular, plays a central role in achieving the necessary efficiency and sustainability in these processes as well as compliance with the relevant regulations.

In a future where water is becoming an increasingly valuable resource, the technology involved in its treatment and distribution plays a key role. Water treatment systems must deliver absolutely reliable results at ever lower cost. This balancing act can only be achieved with highly precise and reliable measurement technology for level and pressure that is also especially quick to install and easy to use. VEGA offers an array of measuring instruments specially developed for applications in drinking water extraction and distribution as well as all processes in between. From compact standard sensors to sophisticated measurement solutions with sensors from the PRO series, VEGA provides customised level and pressure instrumentation for measuring water, wherever it might be on its journey to consumers. Taking on the challenges that lie between water extraction and water storage, the sensors create the basis for continuous monitoring and measurably higher efficiency. In concrete terms, this means: coordinated instruments, together with intelligent systems and interfaces, ensure end-to-end data collection from the field.

Sensors withstand flooding
Extraction of untreated water, whether from deep wells, rivers or through the desalination of seawater, places special demands on the monitoring and control of the facilities. Even at this early stage, precise measurement technology that stays reliable even in the event of flooding or condensate formation is indispensable. The VEGAWELL 52 suspension pressure transmitter is ideal for level measurement in deep wells. This is because the hydrostatic sensor does an impressive job ensuring that not more water is extracted than can flow back into the well as a result of natural processes. Thanks to its integrated overvoltage protection, the electronics module is safely protected against external influences. With its ceramic measuring cell CERTEC®, the instrument, which is specially designed for water applications and optionally equipped with a PT100 resistor for temperature measurement, delivers reliable results even under extreme conditions. And it can do this over long distances, with a cable length of up to 1000 metres. VEGAWELL 52 not only increases system availability and thus efficiency in extraction, but also makes a decisive contribution to conserving this valuable resource.

Radar sensors have a clear advantage
As an alternative to extraction from wells or bodies of water, bank filtration is a near-natural method of drinking water production in which surface water is extracted from wells near rivers or lakes. River water seeps through the river bed and mixes with groundwater. In order to ensure that exactly the right amount of water is extracted in this process, the river level must be continuously monitored.

The compact radar sensors of the VEGAPULS 10, 20 and 30 series offer a particularly efficient solution for this task. They measure the water level contactlessly and with extreme precision. With a performance spectrum specially developed for drinking water applications, the compact radar instruments are a brilliant replacement for earlier ultrasonic solutions. Operating with 80-GHz technology, which enables excellent signal focusing, they deliver an impressive performance. This feature makes it easier to separate the actual level signal from interfering signals/noise – measurement is thus simpler and much more accurate. As radar is unaffected by dirt and temperature fluctuations, the sensors deliver precise measuring results even under environmental influences such as rain, wind and fog. Another plus: The compact VEGAPULS C sensors have a cable connection, are designed with IP66/IP68 protection and allow direct connection to a PLC. And because, in terms of price, they are also on a level pegging with ultrasonic, there is no longer any argument in favour of that outdated technology.

Bank filtration, in particular, can be optimally monitored with VEGAMET controllers. Thanks to their large, clearly visible on-site display and practical software assistant, the pump functions are especially easy to adjust and their performance is ensured for the long term with the controller’s maintenance mode.

More accurate measurement in chemical tanks
In every drinking water treatment plant, chemicals such as chlorine or ferrous sulphate are stored in tanks that are regularly filled and emptied. Reliable measurements are crucial here, too, and compact VEGAPULS 31 radar sensors are therefore the clear choice: Unlike ultrasonic sensors, they measure right up to the top of the tank, which allows the entire tank volume to be utilised. This is an advantage that not only saves time but also costs.

This is exactly where the compact radar series scores points with its high chemical and flood resistance. The entire electronics and the cable entry are encapsulated so that there is no possibility of the components being affected by moisture. The sensors are available in different versions, not only in terms of the signal output, but also in terms of sensor design.

Measuring through the walls of plastic tanks
Radar sensors can measure right through non-conductive materials such as plastic, rubber or glass, as their electromagnetic waves are only slightly reflected by these dielectric materials. This makes them ideal for use on IBC containers or other portable containers typically used for aggressive chemicals. Permanently installed above the standardised containers, the application is especially simple because there is no need for readjustment. Their large display makes it easy to read the measured values even in places difficult to access, like at the top of tall tanks. Their direct cable connection can be used to connect directly to a remote system. The sensors thus have a maximum measuring range of up to 30 metres, making them suitable for many standard applications.

With IoT radar sensors such as VEGAPULS Air, level measurement can be carried out at virtually any location – and “outsourced” to the chemical supplier if necessary. The battery-powered instruments send their data directly to the cloud from anywhere, which for example enables efficient route planning and prevents delivery bottlenecks.

Cost-effective rake control
Compact VEGAPULS C radar sensors also play a central role in the mechanical pre-cleaning of water. In clarification plants, where rakes or screens remove larger solids such as branches or plastic parts, these devices protect the downstream process stages from blockages or abrasion. The coarse screen filters out the larger objects, while the fine screen collects smaller debris. To monitor the degree of contamination of the screens and initiate cleaning in a timely manner, the water level must be measured separately upstream and downstream of the screening systems. This is where the compact VEGAPULS C radar sensors demonstrate their versatility. Thanks to their robust design and maintenance-free measurement, they measure levels precisely and ensure that the screens always operate in optimal condition. This contributes to the efficiency of the system and at the same time reduces operating costs, as unscheduled screen downtimes are thus reliably avoided. With the 14x, 34x, or 8xx series controllers, VEGA also offers a simple and fast screen control that requires no programming skills. This allows complex processes to be controlled efficiently – quickly, intuitively and without prior technical knowledge.

With food-grade approvals
Once the water has been treated, it is important to measure and control possible contamination. The treated water is often stored in underground basins, where it must be ensured that no foreign substances enter the water. Non-contact level measurement with VEGAPULS C sensors is also ideal here. The instruments are equipped with all country-specific food approvals and manufactured from materials in accordance with FDA and EC 1935/2004.

With special mounting tools, the sensors can be mounted on the wall, ceiling, or via a stainless steel tube, which also houses the cable. Because they operate contactlessly, they are particularly easy to adjust and are also Bluetooth-enabled, which allows everything to be done conveniently via smartphone or tablet.

Pressure monitoring to prevent leaks
In the drinking water industry, pressure measuring devices are used in a wide range of processes. It doesn’t matter if the sensor is used to measure pressure in pipelines or containers holding abrasive media, such as stones or sand, or in hygienic processes, where it has to meet strict cleanability requirements: VEGA offers customised pressure sensors that meet the requirements of the respective application. Whether metallic or ceramic measuring cell: each functional principle has advantages and properties that make it especially suitable for certain application conditions.

Wherever water is pumped between systems and individual components, pressure sensors safeguard the processes by, for example, quickly detecting leaks. And detection happens fast enough to fix the problem before major damage occurs. To meet the needs of the various applications, the VEGA pressure portfolio ranges from the compact VEGABAR, optionally equipped with or without a rotatable display, to the extremely robust VEGABAR sensors of the PRO series, which ensure maximum plant availability and safety. For example, VEGABAR 82 with its stable ceramic CERTEC® measuring cell can withstand extreme pressures or vacuum, as well as highly abrasive substances, such as those that impact the measuring cell in the sand filter.

Abrasion-resistant in the sand filter
Early in the treatment process, after the initial pre-treatment, which removes larger suspended solids, the sand filter has the job of removing fine particles, cloudiness and micropollutants from the water. It therefore represents an important stage between pre-treatment and further water purification, such as chemical disinfection or activated carbon filtration. VEGABAR 82 pressure transmitters play a central role in this process: They measure the pressures upstream and downstream of the filter to monitor its condition. If the pressure difference increases, the sensors signal increased clogging by fine particles and the need for backwashing. This ensures that the filter works efficiently and does not get overloaded. The ceramic measuring cell of the robust VEGABAR 82 plays a key role in this. Its high abrasion resistance protects against wear caused by sand and other particles, while its chemical resistance ensures reliable operation even when exposed to cleaning agents. Long-term stability and hygienic design make it ideal for drinking water applications such as these.

Two seals are better than one
The VEGABAR 82 pressure transmitter with ceramic CERTEC® measuring cell ensures safe and reliable pressure measurement in the ozone gas manifold. Thanks to its “second line of defense,” an additional process separation by means of a gas-tight feedthrough above the process fitting, it provides double protection against ozone that might otherwise escape through the pressure transmitter itself.

The deployed pressure instrumentation is also crucial for the subsequent storage and distribution of the drinking water. Continuous pressure monitoring in the pipe network with the compact VEGABAR 38 is of the utmost importance for uniform distribution and prevention of leaks or pipe breakage. Also important are the VEGAPOINT 21 level switches that serve as dry-run protection for the drinking water pump and help prevent breakdowns. All of this not only ensures the operability of your plant, but ultimately guarantees a reliable drinking water supply at all times.

What sets VEGA sensors apart
The great strength of VEGA instrumentation for level, switching and pressure lies in its ability to ensure both efficiency and simplicity without compromising on quality. With the right measuring instruments, the drinking water supply is not only safe and reliable, but also resource-efficient and sustainable. Precise level and pressure values allow even complex processes to be optimised, ensuring that the entire water treatment and distribution cycle runs smoothly and with minimal effort. In a world where every drop counts, these comparatively small components are indispensable for sustainable water management.