When will it be safe to bathe after rainy weather?

– When economics and professionalism meet

A year ago, discharge of effluent from overflows into lakes and streams was much in the media spotlight.
Minister for Environment, Lea Wermelin was called in consultation to explain how the government would solve the problem. From the results of the consultation, it could be concluded that, first of all, there is a lack of overview of how much waste water is involved. In other words, there is a lack of clear, accurate measurement data that can support a possible solution to the problem. To this end, the Minister stated that the acquisition of this data from the country’s approx. 5000 overflow systems will run up to a total cost of somewhere between 200 and 300 million DKK a year.

At the time, we offered our solution to the problem, while trying to nuance the debate a little, by taking professional considerations of the importance of including factors such as diluted wastewater, as well as a uniform national method for reporting discharged wastewater, etc.

The article can be read here: Article

Back then, as now, a true fact-based overview of wastewater discharge can only be achieved by valid uniform measurement methods.

In the article we give our suggestions on the ultimate monitoring of overflows and the collection of accurate measurement data: a script that takes into account the different ways of calculating effluent discharge; Flow measurement either as calculated via level measurement or by a real flow measurement, possibly. combined with a visual overview of the construction with D-Eye, to avoid clogged grates and more. and finally, by a stable transfer of data via mobile or desktop data loggers; the D-Log series.

In addition, our solution, when purchasing the equipment and with a depreciation of 10 years, will run for approx. 10 million DKK annually for monitoring all overflow buildings – a significant difference between the estimated 2- 300 million DKK. Here it should be emphasized that only initially will all overflow systems be measured. After periods of extreme rainfall, it will quickly become clear which overflows are discharging the most wastewater, to which it will be possible to focus on measurements / relief of these. Furthermore, the possibility of renting the equipment for a shorter period (eg the summer period) is of course guarantee for further reduction of the price.

So in other words; Monitoring the country’s overflow buildings and obtaining solid measurement data can be done in an absolutely sound financial way. This is clearly good news, since the measurements are necessary, in order to overcome the problem – for the sake of the environment.